IVF & artificial sweeteners

Re: IVF & artificial sweeteners

• Smiley-1980 member

  April 2012

  I use Splenda (2-3 packs per day) and my RE never said it was a problem. I am going to be cutting it out soon though just because it will make me feel better.

  

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• pinkmickey24 member

  April 2012

  I am curious as to the responses you will get and I noticed on another post a couple of days ago that ladies doing IVF cycles or preparing for an IVF cycle said they gave up artificial sweetners. During my last IVF cycle I still used artificial sweetners (1 Splenda a day for me as well and the artificial sweetners that are in diet sodas). No one at my RE's office ever said not to, but then again, I never asked because I honestly never thought about it. I might have to reconsider this with my next IVF cycle, but I really don't want to go back to real sugar either.

  ~TTC since July 2010~

  CD3 Bloodwork:Normal 

  HSG-Clear 

  SA:Low Morph 

  IVF with ICSI #1: ER 12/16 (4 ER/3 Mature/0 Fertilized) 

  IVF with ICSI #2: ER 5/17 (4 ER/4 Mature/3 Fertilized)/ET 5/20 (2 embryos transferred)-BFN 

  IVF with PICSI #3: ER 9/8 (11 ER/8 Mature/7 Fertilized)/ET 9/13 (2 AA blastocysts transferred) 

  Beta#1, 9/26/12: 719 Beta#2, 9/28/12: 1,436 Beta#3, 10/1/12: 3,446

  1st u/s on 10/10/12: It's Twins! We found out on 12/16/12 that we were having two BOYS!

  C & D were born on 5/16/13 at 10:46 am and 10:47 am

  
  
  

   

  

  
  

  Report0 Reply
• DoublePortion member

  April 2012

  I only use Splenda in my coffee so I thought I would just give it up when I gave up caffiene, but now I'm thinking about switching to decaf coffee & will need the Splenda for it. I'm trying to watch my weight so I don't want to go back to sugar either.

  
  ***signature & ticker warning***
  
  Me: 30 ~ Stage IV Endo ~ AMH .38 ~ AFC 8
  AMH .97 as of 4/2012! ~ AMH 1.63 as of 4/2013!?!
  Him: 29 ~ perfect swimmers
  Laparotomy w/partial oophorectomy 8/2009 to remove cysts/endo.
  Stopped BCP 4/2010.
  Multiple clomid rounds from 11/2010 to 6/2011. ~ All BFN
  IUI w/clomid 7/2011. IUI w/clomid & injectables 11/2011 & 1/2012. ~ All BFN
  IVF:EPP 5/2012 ~ (4R, 3M, 2F w/ICSI). Both embryos txfrd. ~ BFN
  BCP to manage endo from 10/2012 to 12/2012.
  FET w/donor embryos #1: 10/2013 Cancelled
  FET w/donor embryos #1.2: 11/2013 ~ ET of 2 beautiful blasts on 11/27.
  Beta 1: 503(12dp5dt) Beta 2: 1035(14dpt) Beta 3: 3001(16dpt) Beta 4: 8503(19dpt)
  Twins with an EDD of 8/15/14! Team Purple
  G&B born 6/30/14 at 33w3d via emergency c/s.
  
  If you're wondering about my avatar...it's a fried pickle chip shaped like a fetus!
  
  
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• Whales124 member

  April 2012

  The paperwork that I was given by my RE after ET said "no artificial sweeteners".  I didn't realize and of course used them right up to ET, but I think this time I might cut them out a few weeks before I start stims.  I'm also always trying to watch my weight and I didn't realize how much I actually consume of them until I had to take them out.
  

  ~ Me, 30 DH, 32 ~ TTC since Oct 2009 septum resection 3/2010 stage IV endo 8/2011 IVF #1 1/25/12, 2 transferred, 2 frozen - BFN FET 2/22/12, 2 transferred - BFN IVF#2 5/12, transferred 3, froze 5, BFP! Beta 1: 151, Beta 2: 282 Cerclage placed @ 17 weeks due to shortening cervix, modified bed rest until delivery SAIF/PAIF always welcome It's a girl! ~ Clare was born 1/31/13

  Report0 Reply
• kmc84 member

  April 2012

  I gave it up because I have Type 1 diabetes and was ingesting more than average. Between diet soda, no sugar added products (no sugar added but artificial sweeteners instead) and the like, I felt it was in my bebefit to cut it out.  I have had some, but extremely little during IVF and since.  I use regular sugar in my decaf tea and have been drinking nothing but water besides that.  I would rather use a little more insulin and eat more natural foods.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  TTC# 1 since 5/10
  Me:34 Type 1 Diabetes, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Hypothyroid DH:35 Perfect
  DX: Unexplained IF
  Many IUI's with various meds all BFFN
  IVF #1 11/11 canceled due to OHSS
  IVF #2 Feb/March 2012 ET of 2 on day 3 4/7 BFP! 5/1 u/s blighted ovum
  IVF #3 July 2012 ET of 3 on day 3 7/24 BFP!
  Healthy baby girl born at 36w4d on 3/9/13
  

  TTC #2

  IVF #4 May/June 2014 ER 6/4 18R 8M 8F ET 6/9 1 blast, 2 frosties

  Beta 6/18 BFFN

  
  

  FET of 2 blasts 7/24...BFP!

  Healthy baby girl born at 36w3d on 3/17/15
  
  TTC#3
  IVF #5 June 2018- PGS planned, no surviving embryos
  IVF #6 August 2018- ET of 2 on day 3 - Chemical pregnancy
  IVF #7 August 2019-....?

  Report0 Reply
• tptbabe member

  April 2012

  I don't really know about the artificial sweeteners, but I do have a tip for those coffee loving ladies!

  When I started trying to cut sugars out of my diet, one of the big ones was the sugar in my coffee. I switched from cream and sugar to just milk. I just added extra milk, and the natural sweetness of the milk made up for the lack of sugar. I even liked it better that way!

   

  
  

  My Ovulation Chart 

  
  ***EVERYONE WELCOME***

  TTC #2 with assistance since 03/11

  Me: 33, Autoimmune (Hashimotos and FMS/CFS)

  Treated with Synthroid, acupuncture, TCM and supplements

  DH: 33, MFI (very low on all counts, high antibodies, hemochromatosis)

  Many treatments tried, none successful

  
  

  IVF/ICSI #1 05/14 - EPP/Antagonist, Gonal-F and Luveris, 18R, 14M, 13F - SET of 1BC, all arrested on day 5 - C/P

  Genetic testing = normal, DNA Frag = excellent

  IVF #2 03/15 - Long protocol with Suprefact, Gonal-F, and possibly Luveris, adding in PICSI

   

  Report0 Reply
• winofairy

  April 2012

  I wasn't told by my RE to stop using artificial sweeteners.  It's just something I have been trying to cut completely out of my diet as they are not good for you in general.  This is some of the information I found when doing my research...

  From what I've read Splenda is probably one of the worst offenders of claiming to be "healthy" as they say that it's made from real sugar.  It's still an artificial substance. What they don't tell you is that Splenda is actually a chemically modified substance where chlorine is added to the chemical structure, making it more similar to a chlorinated pesticide than something we should be eating or drinking (A POISONOUS CHLOROCARBON).

  Aspartame=NutraSweet/Equal: has been approved for consumption by pregnant women, as long as they follow the FDA's guidelines. The FDA has set the acceptable daily intake (ADI) at 50 mg per kilogram of body weight. That translates to about four (12 oz.) cans of diet soda per day (that's a lot of soda). You can't bake with it. And Some people may have a sensitivity to aspartame, and may experience headaches, dizziness, mood changes, or skin reactions after consuming it.

  Saccharin =Sweet'N Low: Is a molecule made from petroleum. Since 1981, government reports list it as an "anticipated human carcinogen." Little studies have been done regarding its effects on children, so they should consume it in small quantities, or not at all. Pregnant women are advised to use saccharin sparingly.

  I didn't want to go back to regular sugar so I've been using Stevia in the raw in my decaff-ice tea.  I only have to use about a 1/3 of the packet in one 12oz glass.  I've even started carrying it my purse.

  I hope this answers some of your questions. I hope I didn't scare anyone!

   

  
  
  06.10.12 +HPT 06.12.12 Beta #1 = 2,770 06.14.12 Beta #2 = 6,300
  1st U/S 06.18.12 2nd U/S 06.25.12
  09.24.12 It's a Boy!! ---> Jacob Owen
  
  Our IF Journey Began: October 2009
  **8 Failed IUI's, 1 Blighted Ovum, & 1 Failed IVF**
  Dx: MFI, DOR w/MTHFR Homozygous A1298C & Hypothyroidism
  03.2012 Lab Results: FSH 6.83 AMH 0.67 TSH 3.8 E2 17
  SA 156 million 93% motility 3% morphology
  
  
  **~PAIF/SAIF Always Welcome~**

  Report0 Reply
• DoublePortion member

  April 2012

  Thanks for the info everyone!! I wonder why some REs say not to use it. As in how it affects fertility. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry though!

  
  ***signature & ticker warning***
  
  Me: 30 ~ Stage IV Endo ~ AMH .38 ~ AFC 8
  AMH .97 as of 4/2012! ~ AMH 1.63 as of 4/2013!?!
  Him: 29 ~ perfect swimmers
  Laparotomy w/partial oophorectomy 8/2009 to remove cysts/endo.
  Stopped BCP 4/2010.
  Multiple clomid rounds from 11/2010 to 6/2011. ~ All BFN
  IUI w/clomid 7/2011. IUI w/clomid & injectables 11/2011 & 1/2012. ~ All BFN
  IVF:EPP 5/2012 ~ (4R, 3M, 2F w/ICSI). Both embryos txfrd. ~ BFN
  BCP to manage endo from 10/2012 to 12/2012.
  FET w/donor embryos #1: 10/2013 Cancelled
  FET w/donor embryos #1.2: 11/2013 ~ ET of 2 beautiful blasts on 11/27.
  Beta 1: 503(12dp5dt) Beta 2: 1035(14dpt) Beta 3: 3001(16dpt) Beta 4: 8503(19dpt)
  Twins with an EDD of 8/15/14! Team Purple
  G&B born 6/30/14 at 33w3d via emergency c/s.
  
  If you're wondering about my avatar...it's a fried pickle chip shaped like a fetus!
  
  
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• Smiley-1980 member

  April 2012

  Splenda explains the Chlorine part on their site which makes me feel a little better about using it. 

  SPLENDA^? Brand Sweetener (sucralose) contains chlorine. Is that safe?

  Yes. Chlorine is a natural part of salt, and it is found in many foods, like lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, melons, and peanut butter. Chlorine is also added to most public drinking water supplies. Chlorine is also a part of more complex molecules found in such things as lentils, peas, and potatoes. It is a part of daily life.

  In the case of SPLENDA^? Brand Sweetener, chlorine is used in a process that alters sugar to create the very stable no-calorie sweetener, sucralose. A large amount of research shows that sucralose can be used safely by everyone and that there is no cause for concern about safety because of chlorine.

  What?s more, SPLENDA^? Brand Sweetener does not build up in the body, nor is it broken down to yield any free chlorine or smaller chlorinated molecules, and sucralose is calorie-free.

  

  Report0 Reply
• pinkmickey24 member

  April 2012

  Does anyone know anything about Truvia? I recently purchased it to try because it was on sale. According to the package it is a natural sweetner rather than artificial because it comes from a stevia (spelling?) leaf found in South America.

  ~TTC since July 2010~

  CD3 Bloodwork:Normal 

  HSG-Clear 

  SA:Low Morph 

  IVF with ICSI #1: ER 12/16 (4 ER/3 Mature/0 Fertilized) 

  IVF with ICSI #2: ER 5/17 (4 ER/4 Mature/3 Fertilized)/ET 5/20 (2 embryos transferred)-BFN 

  IVF with PICSI #3: ER 9/8 (11 ER/8 Mature/7 Fertilized)/ET 9/13 (2 AA blastocysts transferred) 

  Beta#1, 9/26/12: 719 Beta#2, 9/28/12: 1,436 Beta#3, 10/1/12: 3,446

  1st u/s on 10/10/12: It's Twins! We found out on 12/16/12 that we were having two BOYS!

  C & D were born on 5/16/13 at 10:46 am and 10:47 am

  
  
  

   

  

  
  

  Report0 Reply
• winofairy

  April 2012

  Smiley-1980:

  Splenda explains the Chlorine part on their site which makes me feel a little better about using it. 

  SPLENDA^? Brand Sweetener (sucralose) contains chlorine. Is that safe?

  Yes. Chlorine is a natural part of salt, and it is found in many foods, like lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, melons, and peanut butter. Chlorine is also added to most public drinking water supplies. Chlorine is also a part of more complex molecules found in such things as lentils, peas, and potatoes. It is a part of daily life.

  In the case of SPLENDA^? Brand Sweetener, chlorine is used in a process that alters sugar to create the very stable no-calorie sweetener, sucralose. A large amount of research shows that sucralose can be used safely by everyone and that there is no cause for concern about safety because of chlorine.

  What?s more, SPLENDA^? Brand Sweetener does not build up in the body, nor is it broken down to yield any free chlorine or smaller chlorinated molecules, and sucralose is calorie-free.

  Glad you found more info about the chlorine! 

  I tried to use Splenda but it just doesn't taste good to me.  I've been an equal addict most of my life. 

  I laughed when I read the 4-12oz cans of soda in a day was considered a lot.  I used to drink 6-8 diet cokes per day.  Then I switched to caffeine free and then cut down to 2 per day. Now I may have 1-2 per week.  It's been tough!  Some days I have crazy cravings for it.  It was easier to give up my coffee in the morning than it has been to cut out my diet cokes.  I am trying my hardest to go the rest of the month diet coke free.  I start my stims on Friday so hopefully that is enough motivation for me.

  
  
  06.10.12 +HPT 06.12.12 Beta #1 = 2,770 06.14.12 Beta #2 = 6,300
  1st U/S 06.18.12 2nd U/S 06.25.12
  09.24.12 It's a Boy!! ---> Jacob Owen
  
  Our IF Journey Began: October 2009
  **8 Failed IUI's, 1 Blighted Ovum, & 1 Failed IVF**
  Dx: MFI, DOR w/MTHFR Homozygous A1298C & Hypothyroidism
  03.2012 Lab Results: FSH 6.83 AMH 0.67 TSH 3.8 E2 17
  SA 156 million 93% motility 3% morphology
  
  
  **~PAIF/SAIF Always Welcome~**

  Report0 Reply
• Bethany1026

  April 2012

  My RE said no artificial sweetners at all...no splenda, truvia, stevia, equal or aspartame, Only regular sugar...yuk!  My nurse explained that there just aren't enough studies out there that can say whether or not they are truely safe.

  
  TTC #1 since 3/10:
  DX: Me-PCOS, retroverted/ tilted ute - DH- MFI, DH-4 mo of Clomid therapy= no improvement. Weekly HCG injections.
  Me-34, DH-33
  HSG- unsuccessful, SHSG (dialated)-no blockages
  7/11-Clomid (unmonitored) BFN,
  #1 Fresh IVF 9/11: w/ ICSI & AH (only option): (1 transfered, 8BF) = BFN!!
  #2 FET: 2 transferred (2 6BF) 12/11 = BFFN!!
  Surprise + HPT on break! 2/12 Beta 1: 6 Beta 2: <5 = c/p ( RE had given me provera... So pretty sure this ruined everything)<BR> #3 Fresh IVF 3/12: w/ ICSI & AH (2 transfered 8BF & 7BF, 1 to freeze) = BFMFN!
  New RE 5/12
  6/14 Hysteroscopy
  #4 Fresh IVF 8/12: 5dt of 2 5AB blasts = BFN!... what else is new?!?
  New RE insists its a transfer issue, immunology checked & good
  #5 IVF FET 1/13 under anesthesia : Two 5 day blasts transferred
  + HPT!! Beta1: 2315 Beta2: 6442 Beta3: 31,061
  First u/s 1/30/13: Shows 1 healthy heartbeat!!
  
  Was he was right? I wasted 4 IVF's and the doctors were not getting the catheter in?!?
  ~~ Bump Bestie/ IRL Lynn0926 ~~
  

  Report0 Reply
• delino member

  April 2012

  I'm trying to get away from the artificial sweetners. I always used Splenda. I was trying to use regular sugar for a bit and have moved to Truvia. It is claimed to be natural. I haven't received any instructions from my RE about sweetners or caffeine and may keep having my one cup of coffee a day. I haven't decided.

  3 ectopic pregnancies (EDD's 1/30/12-tube removed, 6/2/12-methotrexate and 10/2/12-methotrexate)

  IVF and Natural FET resulted in BFN's and a hole in our wallets

  Natural BFP #4 on 9/7/12 gave us our miracle on 5/18/13

  

  Report0 Reply
• ljhgrey member

  April 2012

  Bethany1026:

  My RE said no artificial sweetners at all...no splenda, truvia, stevia, equal or aspartame, Only regular sugar...yuk!  My nurse explained that there just aren't enough studies out there that can say whether or not they are truely safe.

   

  **ticker warning**

   

  Mine said the same, no artificial sweeteners, he told me that after my first u/s as well.  

  -LJ
  
  

  Report0 Reply