Drinking alcohol whilst TTC

[Natsby]

I think our opinions change depending on how long oyu have been trying for. Yes I agree it is a risk to drink during tww, but in the beginning I was tea total all month. Then after a year or so I relaxed a bit, this could take a long time, for some it already has, how long do you want to not drink or drink coffee for? So I agree moderation is the key but also when people say not putting your life on hold you can bet they are the people who have been trying for longer. Now I drink a little when I fancy it, which isn´t often and I try not to live as if I might always be pregnant because the bfn is bad enough, without stopping enjoying life a little bit whilst trying.

 

[dachsundmom]

10 years girls...give or take...not giving up anything else.

 

[Miss_C]

10 years dachsundsmom - you are amazing, we tried for 2 up to now and were quitting at the end of the year, I have had some losses along the way and the emotional toll has just been too great. Caffeine and alcohol do nothing to help with stress, for me anyway, having the odd glass during AF was more flipping the bird to the witch than anything else.

Alcochol in the pre O days is actually more harmful that in the tww, if you are pregnant the baby will feed off it's own yolk sack for the first few weeks before the placenta forms and there are even some trains of thought that red wine can help with implantation with it's antoxidant properties. Prior to O is when the egg is doing it;s biggest developmental phase in the follicle before it pops, look how quickly that follicle grows between cd1 and cd14 or thereabouts.

Caffeine whilst a stimulant in every other part of things does the opposite when ttc especially at just before ovulation and the days preceeding. The fallopian tubes have these little hair like tentacles that sway in one direction to help brush the sperm along and then at ovulation they turn and go the other way to help brush the egg along to the uterus. Caffeine weakes these little hair like follicles they become hyper stimulated and therefore don't really move either way. Caffeiene has an effect on our bodie on average for 18 hours after ingestion.

Hope this helps a little in your choices.

 

[Anais]

As an FYI, my doc said that the process and chemicals used to decaffeinate drinks is worse than the actual caffeine itself...lol...never easy.

In the end, do what feels right to you.

which is precisely why I use the swiss water decaf - super expensive but at 1 maybe 2 cups a day no real budget buster as it then lasts a whole while

I will have to look out for this myself. I made a half caf mix yesterday in order to cut down on caffeine, it tastes ok and I think I might stick to it permanently anyway as it will help with my sleep

 

[Naturenut]

Hmmm... lots of good discussion and things to consider here.

For me, I try to refrain during the fertile days and during the tww, but have occasionally nursed a drink over the course of an evening (sometimes that's just easier then dealing with all the questioning looks when you turn the drink down). During AF all bets off as far as I'm concerned.

Although has anyone else noticed that all the social activities where one might want a drink seem to fall during no-no drinking times. I swear before ttc I'd go for months without drinking or even thinking about it, now it seems like a great social opportunities happens every CD 14 like clockwork.

Seriously, life goes on whether your ttc-ing, pregnant, breastfeeding or being a mom. Yes, you're priorities shift and your decisions affect more then you, but at the same time you can't lose sight of yourself and what brings pleasure and peace to your day. In the end happy parents, make happy kids. Be careful and smart - but true to yourself. If that bfp does come and stick - it's just the start of a lifetime of trying to find the balance between your needs and everyone else's. If a glass of wine really helps you unwind, or is an important part of your routine - look for ways to modify and make it safer, but keep a piece of it for yourself (non alcoholic, smaller amounts...). That's my two cents.

 

[Tori4]

Off topic a bit but still along lines of what to abstain or limit etc...I was wondering if any of you have heard much about retinA while ttc?
I know you should not use it while pregnant but is there any harm using it for the days coming up to ovulation?
I have to tell you I am going through serious withdrawals,lol especially with the change of temps here and how it affects my skin. Any thoughts or wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sunshine12]

Just came across this thread so thought Id post incase its of any help. I was drinking almost every night before I got pregnant (Im 38). Not to excess of course but a few glasses of wine or vodka of a night were not at all unusual and at the weekend I was having alot more. I personally dont think it makes any difference to getting pregnant although I guess everyones body is different and might react differently to it. xx

 

[dachsundmom]

Off topic a bit but still along lines of what to abstain or limit etc...I was wondering if any of you have heard much about retinA while ttc?
I know you should not use it while pregnant but is there any harm using it for the days coming up to ovulation?
I have to tell you I am going through serious withdrawals,lol especially with the change of temps here and how it affects my skin. Any thoughts or wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Retin A was the first thing my doc took from me and I was very sad.

 

[Sus09]

I don´t drink much alcohol, the odd beer, or a glass of wine if out dining with a friend.
I used to drink quite a bit of Vodka... stopped that.
What I do drink i Caffeine I have cut down a lot, hardly drink any Coke now, and I have cut own on the amount of teas and drink more herbal tea. I have noticed since I have less caffeine I get more CM. But I am finding hard to completely stop the caffeine, need my tea in the morning and in work

 

[peacebaby]

Off topic a bit but still along lines of what to abstain or limit etc...I was wondering if any of you have heard much about retinA while ttc?
I know you should not use it while pregnant but is there any harm using it for the days coming up to ovulation?
I have to tell you I am going through serious withdrawals,lol especially with the change of temps here and how it affects my skin. Any thoughts or wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure what the situation is where you are but in some countries before you are prescribed most forms of retinol (vit A) you have to satisfy the dr that you are using some sort of contraceptive. Most dermatologists and fertility specialists will say its an absolute no go while TTC. My cousin who was on retin A was told to wait 3months after her last dose before starting TTC, that may have just been a precautionary measure but from I understand medics are in agreement that retinA can cause serious birth defects.

 

[Anais]

Just came across this thread so thought Id post incase its of any help. I was drinking almost every night before I got pregnant (Im 38). Not to excess of course but a few glasses of wine or vodka of a night were not at all unusual and at the weekend I was having alot more. I personally dont think it makes any difference to getting pregnant although I guess everyones body is different and might react differently to it. xx

Thanks Sunshine and congratulations on your pregnancy. How long were you trying for and can you offer any advice for a geriatric ttc? (I'm 38 too)

 

[Sunshine12]

Just came across this thread so thought Id post incase its of any help. I was drinking almost every night before I got pregnant (Im 38). Not to excess of course but a few glasses of wine or vodka of a night were not at all unusual and at the weekend I was having alot more. I personally dont think it makes any difference to getting pregnant although I guess everyones body is different and might react differently to it. xx

Thanks Sunshine and congratulations on your pregnancy. How long were you trying for and can you offer any advice for a geriatric ttc? (I'm 38 too)

Hi and thanks. We had only just started trying hun. Im sorry to hear you have been trying for a while Im not sure what advice I can give apart from just telling you what I did (which might be TMI so if it is I apologise.) I used those ovulation stick things from about 9 days after my AF. Got a positive and DTD that night. I did that thing afterwards where you put your legs on the wall above the bed so your pelvis is raised for about 10 minutes then I didnt go to the toilet or wipe for at least an hour. Im sending you loads of baby dust and really hope you get your BFP soon. Feel free to PM me if you need to. xxxx

 

[Anais]

Just came across this thread so thought Id post incase its of any help. I was drinking almost every night before I got pregnant (Im 38). Not to excess of course but a few glasses of wine or vodka of a night were not at all unusual and at the weekend I was having alot more. I personally dont think it makes any difference to getting pregnant although I guess everyones body is different and might react differently to it. xx

Thanks Sunshine and congratulations on your pregnancy. How long were you trying for and can you offer any advice for a geriatric ttc? (I'm 38 too)

Hi and thanks. We had only just started trying hun. Im sorry to hear you have been trying for a while Im not sure what advice I can give apart from just telling you what I did (which might be TMI so if it is I apologise.) I used those ovulation stick things from about 9 days after my AF. Got a positive and DTD that night. I did that thing afterwards where you put your legs on the wall above the bed so your pelvis is raised for about 10 minutes then I didnt go to the toilet or wipe for at least an hour. Im sending you loads of baby dust and really hope you get your BFP soon. Feel free to PM me if you need to. xxxx

No need to apologise and nothing is TMI on this site! We have only just started trying so it really is early days... fingers crossed. It's very encouraging to read about women the same age as me who have succeeded. Wishing you a healthy and happy 9 months

 

[Sunshine12]

Just came across this thread so thought Id post incase its of any help. I was drinking almost every night before I got pregnant (Im 38). Not to excess of course but a few glasses of wine or vodka of a night were not at all unusual and at the weekend I was having alot more. I personally dont think it makes any difference to getting pregnant although I guess everyones body is different and might react differently to it. xx

Thanks Sunshine and congratulations on your pregnancy. How long were you trying for and can you offer any advice for a geriatric ttc? (I'm 38 too)

Hi and thanks. We had only just started trying hun. Im sorry to hear you have been trying for a while Im not sure what advice I can give apart from just telling you what I did (which might be TMI so if it is I apologise.) I used those ovulation stick things from about 9 days after my AF. Got a positive and DTD that night. I did that thing afterwards where you put your legs on the wall above the bed so your pelvis is raised for about 10 minutes then I didnt go to the toilet or wipe for at least an hour. Im sending you loads of baby dust and really hope you get your BFP soon. Feel free to PM me if you need to. xxxx

No need to apologise and nothing is TMI on this site! We have only just started trying so it really is early days... fingers crossed. It's very encouraging to read about women the same age as me who have succeeded. Wishing you a healthy and happy 9 months

Oh thats good if you only just started TTC. Im sure you will get your BFP very soon!! x

 

[Tori4]

Thank you Peacebaby and Dachsundmom, My doc never mentioned it all, filled the script at last years physical as we were discussing ttc.
Dachsundmom, I love the stuff. I haven't used it for about 3 months. So glad I asked the question, thank you again.

 

[dachsundmom]

Like I said, it was very sad to see my Retin A leave me, lol...any retinoid is out...so Tazorac, Differen...any of them.

The best substitute I have found, is OTC Olay Regenerist.

 

[Tori4]

Hey thanks Dachsundmom, I ll have to pick some up tomorrow.

 

[sumatwsimit]

Thanks Dmom, i didn't even know what retin a was! i'll be checking out my face cream contents later

btw, had 3 lovely big glasses of red last night, and i tell you, it was good medicine

 

[Torontogal]

Just came across this thread so thought Id post incase its of any help. I was drinking almost every night before I got pregnant (Im 38). Not to excess of course but a few glasses of wine or vodka of a night were not at all unusual and at the weekend I was having alot more. I personally dont think it makes any difference to getting pregnant although I guess everyones body is different and might react differently to it. xx

Another preggo in the over 35 range adding in my $0.02... I figured when ttc that I didn't want to put my life on hold because who knows how long it would take if it even happened at all. (Yes, I know some would say abstaining isn't putting your life on hold, but with my life, it would have been, especially in the summer. I didn't see the point of making the big sacrifices until I really had to.)

The cycle I conceived started with one of the most hard core drinking weeks ever - camping trip in the summer, 'nuff said... I don't know how many cases of beer we went through. I was on AF at the time and so knew for sure I was not pregnant. Later that cycle I calmed down quite a bit but didn't quit altogether until I got my BFP 3-4 days before my next AF was due. (I tested early.)

If alcohol was that bad for fertility I don't think there would be any people of my ancestry (Scottish/English) around at all. It was a lot easier to quit after getting the BFP too, because I had no choice. And I was glad I had my fun as long as I could that summer.

On a related note, while caffeine is considered detrimental to fertility in high doses, most reputable sources indicate that 200 mg or under is OK even for pregnant women (I chose not to quit entirely but to continue with a moderate to low intake). So although it is up to individual choice, quitting caffeine entirely isn't a strict requirement.

I hope everyone here gets BFPs and something to raise a glass to in 9 months. Fingers crossed!

 

[magicvw]

Hi Ladies!

I drink 2 glasses of wine every day and I'm not going to stop (till the BFP of course!) I used to drink more like a bottle of wine a night in the old (more youthful) days, so 2 glasses is a small amount to me. They are small glasses - 2 units a day, so within the recommended amount for women (not ttc-ing ones of course).

Having said that, I just wanted to share with you another reason to quit or cut down on your drinking - alcohol depletes your B vitamin store and can cause havoc with your progesterone levels. Not many people know this. I have low progesterone and have spent a long time researching reasons and cures. Cutting down on alcohol improved my LP. Still wasn't great however and I am taking progesterone supplements now (FX this cycle is the one!) But something to bear in mind, especially to those whose justification of drinking in the 2ww is that the embryo doesn't get any alcohol from you - that is true, but if your progesterone levels drop significantly you will lose your baby

All things in moderation I say. I drink, but hardly ever get drunk and can't remember when I last had a hangover.

to all! x