As egg provider, should I quit caffeine?

healz413 · January 2014

As some of you know, my partner @Manada and I are doing partner IVF. As I mentioned in this week's check-in, we are doing the long protocol and I'm currently taking birth control and then will add lupron on the 13th. We're looking at an ER during the first week of February.

Since we're finally back at it after our cancelled cycle in late Nov/early Dec, I'm also getting back on track with preparing my body to grow the best eggs I can grow. We'll be doing the transfer into M, so I'm not always sure which of the recommendations apply to me (because they're about egg quality/quantity) and which apply to M (because they're about uterine and full-body preparedness).

As the egg "donor," should I quit caffeine? If so, at what point?
I'd love to hear from anyone who has insight, but especially the egg donors on the board (or folks who know what recommendations are made specifically to egg donors).

Thanks in advance.

2MamazInSeattle · January 2014

@healz413, I *think* caffeine consumption is linked to poorer egg quality but I couldn't tell you where I read that. My two cents is remove *all* the variables for both donor and recipient - and my advice is do so when you can still take advil or tylenol to get through the caffeine withdrawal! I only ever felt headachey for a day or two after quitting, but learned after my first transfer to do it a week or two ahead of time to acclimate.

In lieu of coffee, I'd suggest Pregnancy Tea (I drink Traditional Medicinals, easily available at the grocery or amazon) - as it is packed with raspberry leaf for uterine health, and magnesium and other minerals just good for womenly parts all up. Anyhow just my 2 cents/thoughts! I know you want to hear from egg providers moreso and guessing they'll all chime in here soon!
xx

anchiesully · January 2014

I will tell you this. I have coffee everyday and do so as I was donating eggs as well. We got 23 eggs and 22 fertilized so I'm not sure the caffeine elimination is 100%

. If you are worried than sure, eliminate it but I don't think it matters

LittleLady77 · January 2014

This is probably something to ask your doctor but I wouldn't worry about eliminating it because dropping it completely can be even more stressful to your body. I would just do what they tell pregnant ladies to do... limit yourself to under 200mg of caffeine a day.

ArgyleBride · January 2014

Hi healz,

I'm an egg donor and my docs never said anything about caffeine, but then I don't drink coffee or soda so maybe they knew that and didn't bother. Basically they told me to take prenatal vitamins and avoid medication--named one specifically for pain that was fine--and that was after I asked. So basically, I don't know. I did a quick literature search for scientific studies on this, and didn't immediately come up with anything solid. In a study on buffalo eggs, caffeine (in a petri dish) actually helped embryo development o.O go figure

anchiesully · January 2014

Lol @argylebride. Maybe all that caffeine I typically drink helped out my friends more than I realized

Karlamo · January 2014

I was also an egg donor for my wife after her IF dx. When she was stimming we went to the extreme and it still didn't help. When it was my turn we obviously wanted the best results but made a point to each other that I had no known fertility issues so why cut back on coffee etc. I stimmed like a champ, and had 17 eggs, 14 fertlized and all 14 made it to day 6! So I guess my point is if you've got good eggs then the other stuff probably doesn't matter much. I think the best thing I could do was relax and stay positive that it will work.

healz413 · January 2014

Thank you all. I really appreciate it. I was hesitant to cut everything just to be safe because we already got cancelled once and I want to find a balance between making my life revolve around IVF and also giving us our best shot.
I like the advice of moderation, so I think I will try to stick to no more than one small coffee a day or doing a half-caf if I want another cup.
Thanks!

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