IVF, Fertility and Caffeine...
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Support
Forum Name: Coping with infertility
Forum Description: Have you been trying to conceive unsuccessfully? Dealing with primary or secondary infertility? Get support, advice, and help coping here.
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=39190
Printed Date: 21 May 2025 at 1:57am
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Topic: IVF, Fertility and Caffeine...
Posted By: balcy1
Subject: IVF, Fertility and Caffeine...
Date Posted: 16 May 2011 at 8:41am
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Can anyone enlighten me on this subject?
I know we are supposed to cut out caffeine from our diet when TTCing or having IVF, but I just have to have my coffee firts thing in the morning. It what gets me going in the morning, as I am NOT a morning person. I only have one a day! Does anyone know if we should cut it out completely, or just limit it??? And also, does this include Green Tea? Apparently its got caffeine in it as well... ------------- http://lilyslim.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Replies:
Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 16 May 2011 at 9:42am
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Western doctors don't seem to mind if you have one cup a day...our nurse at Repromed said it was fine....but you'll find that most natural practitioners (acupuncture, naturopaths etc) would say cut it out completely. I've been reading a lot of articles on preconception care and all say to cut out caffeine and alcohol completely, both for you and your partner! There have been studies that support both views...ones that say there is little or no impact, others saying that chances of conception reduce significantly when taking caffeine.
I'd say better not risk it and cut it out completely. Maybe try gradually? a coffee every other day, then twice a week, then once a week? Or maybe it's easier to have a clean cut and not get tempted? I think it also depends on how it makes you feel, I remember when I was drinking it I'd have faster heartbeat and get sweaty, and just feel like I had suddenly way too much energy. Obviouslly it was changing my energy levels or hormones or whatever....making an impact on MY body. But maybe you don't get that? I would do some more research and read a few articles from different sources, see what their arguments are and see what fits well with you? After having one failed IVF though I'm being cautious with everything and wouldn't want to think to myself next time (if it failes again!) that I should have given up coffee as I've done everything else. Good luck! ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: kiwikt
Date Posted: 16 May 2011 at 12:57pm
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I cut out all caffine during IVF. And I was a big coffee girl. However, a cup of instant coffee has quite low levels of caffine in it (compared to an expresso) so one a day probably wont harm you.
I thought I would hate not having my coffee but after a few days I got used to it, and in general felt a lot better. No coffee and alcohol can do amazing things for you body! Green tea can block the absorption of folic acid, so probably not best to switch to that. ------------- Due 14/10/11 http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 16 May 2011 at 1:04pm
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wow kiwikt, I didn't know that about green tea! I knew that tea and coffee block absorbtion of iron though, but not folic acid?
from memory green tea has about 20% of caffeine compared to coffee, so ideally you'd be on water only but that's too boring! Green tea has antioxidants and lots of other good things in it, so I'm having a weak one. I was also told by the acupuncturist that if you dunk your tea bag in the hot water and pour that water out, then make another cup of tea with that bag - it gets rid of most of the caffeine in that first initial hot water dunk =) so I do that with the jasmin tea bags as otherwise they are a little too strong for me. ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: chiqa
Date Posted: 16 May 2011 at 5:15pm
| I was told small amounts are ok and I had 1 espresso every day and still do. My day was never right without it lol. |
Posted By: Cherub
Date Posted: 16 May 2011 at 7:57pm
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I am the same, I only have 1 a day but I really do look forward to that one! In prep for this next FET I did try and cut it out, definitely no expresso, and I did feel better for it, but I do relapse every now and then. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. ------------- TTC since '08 1x IVF 4x FET, 1 m/c and 1 chem |
Posted By: balcy1
Date Posted: 16 May 2011 at 8:33pm
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Thanks for the info. It is an espresso I have each day. We have a coffee machine which we got for a wedding present. I just cant imagine starting my day without one anymore... ------------- http://lilyslim.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MaryNZ
Date Posted: 17 May 2011 at 1:11pm
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My FS told me it was fine to have a coffee, once a day but my Natropath said I should cut it our completely. I found the first week really hard (headaches) but then after that it was easy (and I love coffee!) and felt much better for it (more even energy levels during the day).
I loved having Chai lattes from cafes when everyone else was having coffee. You get the whole frothy milk thing but not the caffeine. Apparently you can buy Chai latte syrup from some supermarkets or speciality stores. It's really good ... I feel like one now! 
------------- Me: 34 DH: 35 TTC 3 years Severe endometriosis, blocked tubes IVF March 2011, poor responder, 3 follicles, 2 x fertilised, 1 x day 3 replaced, no frosties, BFN |
Posted By: HuMum
Date Posted: 21 May 2011 at 1:55pm
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Personal experience here... we did Ov induction with fertility drugs for 2 years and the only one that worked was the last one when I had completely cut out coffee. Every month the docs said they couldn't understand why it hadn't worked.
This time round I quit coffee early in preparation for starting the drugs again, and due to holidays and stuff getting in the way we couldn't start the drugs, but just found out I'm preg au natural!.. I swear coffee is my contraceptive. Never been on the pill but a heavy coffee drinker (mostly instant) So personally avoid all caffeine.
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Posted By: lsttcdiver
Date Posted: 21 May 2011 at 11:44pm
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I'm with you on needing the coffee!!! But, I did cut it out along with any other sources of caffeine including chocolate for both of my last cycles however I did have a coffee post EC which I really really regret now. This time I'm planning to cut it out from 3 months prior to day 1.
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Posted By: balcy1
Date Posted: 22 May 2011 at 7:46am
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Hmmmm.. You all have me thinking now. Thinking I might to have to change to a milo from today. ------------- http://lilyslim.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 22 May 2011 at 1:14pm
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Our FA doctor was really strict with the no caffeine. He said no coffee, tea or chocolate as that has caffeine in it to. I sucked big time, but I knew I would feel a bit guilty if the ivf didn't work and I had had caffeine. Stink thing is to that we found out decaf does actually have small amount of caffeine in it :(
I think I was in the mind set that I had two chances of getting pregnant and I would do anything they asked me to if they thought it would increase my chances. ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: gannet
Date Posted: 22 May 2011 at 8:13pm
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I had a decaf flat white every day I was doing IVF - the first couple tasted a bit different but I got used to it. I stuck with the decaf until after my 12 week scan and then I started having one caffeinated single shot flat white or latte most days. I didn't drink any other kind of caffeine though - no coke, V, tea etc throughout my pregnancy - and other than a cup of tea I still don't drink coke, V etc and I don't miss it at all. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: ScaredyCat
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 8:40am
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Interesting reading ladies, we were also told to cut out the alcohol and caffeine, so I just presumed that meant tea and coffee and didn't even consider chocolate!!
I have a very sweet tooth so wondering if anyone knows just how much caffeine is in chocolate, and is it in the drinking chocolate too? On the weekend I also tried Chai Latte thinking this may be good and contain no caffeine, but reading the label its says it contains instant tea powder 3%, so looks like that too contains caffeine! Any other ideas for hot drinks ladies, I have the cold drinks sussed with water, milk and fruit juices but am really struggling to come up with a hot drink?? ------------- TTC # 1 - 7.5 years 2 x IVF - 4 x Trf 3 x BFP's 3 x M/c  Feb 09June 10Sept 11
2 Blasties on Ice
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Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 8:49am
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ScaredyCat, have you tried any herbal teas and green tea? I drink green tea all the time, and am planning a trip to a specialty tes place soon to get some different leaf teas. A while ago I went to a tea shop somewhere in Botany, and they have a wall of tea samples, little glass jars that you can sniff and read the label to see what's in them. Some of them smell just soo so yummy! I'm sure there are some herbal ones with no or very low caffeine levels.
I think I have also seens a pregnancy tea on baby4you website, so if it's good in pregnancy it surely is fine for us to drink now? Just can't remember what the mix was (again various herbs that make is sound and smell delicious!). Also as I am now following our naturopath's guidelines (diet, herbs etc) and doing sort of a detox, I want to ask him at the next appointment about a detox tea (I have seen some on http://www.doubledproducts.co.nz/catalogue/brand-names/artemis/ so that would hopefully be good for my digestive system plus serve as hot drink to mix it up with lemon water and green tea I'm having now =) Oh, also if any of you are into acupuncture, my new lady has told me to drink ying/yang water instead of cold water: you pour half a glass of hot water and then a third of cold water on top, and do not mix it, drink. Apparently it's good for our tummies/digestion etc... so that's what I drink now too, and sometimes add lemon to is (but she said not to do that too much, once or twice a day is ok).
EDITED as I put the wrong artemis tea website at first! ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: ScaredyCat
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 9:00am
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Thanks for that SunshineWife, I do drink Green Tea and love it, was just a little bit worried about it containing small amounts of caffeine. Thanks for the tip on dunking it in hot water first and tipping that water out, I will do that from now on.
I'll check out the baby4u tea too and see what thats got in, like you say surely if its OK for pregnancy it must be OK for pre-conception! And yep into acupuncture too but hadn't been told that one about the water, so will give that a go too! ------------- TTC # 1 - 7.5 years 2 x IVF - 4 x Trf 3 x BFP's 3 x M/c Feb 09June 10Sept 11
2 Blasties on Ice
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Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 11:17am
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Yeh I was guttered when the dr and nurses told me no chocolate lol, but they did say I could have white chocolate. They said they tell all their patients this.
I got a list of things not to eat, drink or do like hot baths and spas. I felt so paranoid after that lol I guess especially when it is funded they like for people to stick to the recommendations. They weren't worried what I had after egg collection though. I think the idea is to help the quality of eggs as much as possible and that is why the want it all cut out. ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: kiwikt
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 11:27am
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SunshineWife...the tea place you are talking about in Botany is called T2 and it is AMAZING. I got this great strawberry and cream tea there recently which is just dried fruit among other things. It is my sweet treat in the evenings.
If you are in auckland and you do go there they are really knowledgeable and if you tell them you are avoiding caffeine and may be pregnant then they will sort you out with safe teas. ------------- Due 14/10/11 http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 11:54am
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THanks kiwikt, I think it used to be called Tea and Coffee lovers (?) but maybe changed it's name? Yeah, I love that place! You can also get a gift box there with a selection of 10 or so packets...I got that for Xmas once (from DH when we were dating heheheee) and that's where my love affair with teas begun! The selection was great as it allowed me to taste all sorts of different teas first, and the box lasted me a year probably cos you only need a teaspoon to make a pot for 2 cups or so!
My absolute fav is Sencha Moonlight, it's got rose petals and other bits that are just so yummy. My MIL lives in Glendowie so whenever she goes shopping in Botany area she always gets me a packet of Sencha
I'm on the shore so a bit of a trip for me! But apparently there is a place alled "The Tea Lady" in birkenhead and it sound similar with a wide selection, so I might check them out next weekend. :) ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: bikershaz
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 11:56am
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Hi all
I really miss my coffee and decided to have one hot chocolate each day instead. I have now cut that out also and have a horlicks each day in place of my coffee. The only other thing I drink is peppermint tea as I don't like most of the herbal teas. It's very hard. I also found out that carob is a good replacement as it's caffeine free and similar to chocolate. So I searched for it and found it at a health food store and it's disgusting!!! That's just my opinion though. If anyone would like an almost full packet of carob, PM me and I'll send it to you. Otherwise it's just going in the bin!  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://counters.families.com">
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Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 12:06pm
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Bikershaz, what is horlicks?
Be careful with hot chocs though as they still do have caffeine (and too much suges for my taste and my sugar free diet hehee), but occasionally they are nice :) I just remrmber another substitute that I have - miso soup! It's not sweet and not anywhere near the tea/coffee varieties, but it gives me something different to drink when I just need to warm up, and it's supposedly very good for us TTC'ers. I get a pack of 12 instant miso soups from the supermarket...not sure how gooe they are as I can't read the packaging (japanese?). ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: mountaingirl
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 12:13pm
| Scaredy have you tried Rooibus? Translated it means 'Red bush'and is an African tea I think - it's the only thing I've found that is pretty close to a good cup of normal tea - ie you can put milk with it if you like - and is totally caffiene-free. |
Posted By: bikershaz
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 12:19pm
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Horlicks is malted milk drink. I really like it (probably because I'm British [:) and I used to have it as a child]. It's totally caffeine free and not too sweet. I make with half milk (trim) and half water. It's really nice and warming, although really more of a bedtime drink. Probably why I feel like curling up in the corner of my office and sleeping :-)
I didn't think about Miso soup, but it's low in calories so I might give that a try. I like the sound of Rooibus teas Mountaingirl, I've seen them in the supermarket. I didn't realise they were caffeine free. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://counters.families.com">
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Posted By: balcy1
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 1:06pm
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I have also found Miso Soup as well. A girl at my work drinks it at break time, so thought I would try it.
I really like it and apparently it is really good for you. Seems I sparked up a bit of an interesting conversation on this topic... LOL ------------- http://lilyslim.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ScaredyCat
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 1:55pm
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Thanks for some great ideas!
I have looked up the T2 place and they do mail order so thats great as I'm pretty sure there isn't anything like that down here in Tauranga. Unless another BOP local knows of any? Miso soup and Rooibus sounds interesting, will look out for these at the supermarket tomorrow. ------------- TTC # 1 - 7.5 years 2 x IVF - 4 x Trf 3 x BFP's 3 x M/c Feb 09June 10Sept 11
2 Blasties on Ice
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Posted By: ScaredyCat
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 1:56pm
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Oh and Kazper thanks for the tip re the white chocolate, phew thats lucky! ------------- TTC # 1 - 7.5 years 2 x IVF - 4 x Trf 3 x BFP's 3 x M/c Feb 09June 10Sept 11
2 Blasties on Ice
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Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 2:45pm
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Yeah, thanks balcy for starting up this thread! We've all learnt something and got lots of new ideas for drinks to try =)
I'd say be careful with white choc too though, not cause of caffeine, but sugar - that's all it is - sugar and fat, and that doesn't help the egg quality either, and can irritate your digestive tract which then causes toxic ennironment which is where your uterus is also (near the gut etc). I say stick to fruit and dried fruit for your sweet cravings. I pop a little container of yummy grapes in the freezer and then eat them like lollies - yum! sweet and the cold reminds me of ice-cream =) ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 2:46pm
and of course smoothies and freshly squeezed juices  ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 3:29pm
yum smoothies for sure and oh noooooo white chocolate  just when I thought there was one sweet treat to be had lol. I didn't find out about that until after the egg collection though so good thing I didn't have any
Gosh looks like TTC / IVF is the best ever diet huh  ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: ScaredyCat
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 5:16pm
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Bugger about the white chocolate, my fav too!
Rang the T2 place today and they were great, happy to do mail orders for $5.50 NZ wide, so thats great, just have to go through the website and choose which ones I want to try now, they also said they would send samples of any I wanted to try too, so very impressed with the service. ------------- TTC # 1 - 7.5 years 2 x IVF - 4 x Trf 3 x BFP's 3 x M/c Feb 09June 10Sept 11
2 Blasties on Ice
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Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 23 May 2011 at 8:31pm
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That is so great ScardyCat! ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: ooligator
Date Posted: 24 May 2011 at 1:05pm
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As others have said, most western Doc's will advise you to cut down, or stop, but say one cup a day "won't hurt".
Alternative practitioners like naturopaths or acupuncturists will recommend you stop all caffeine altogether, as it's effects on the body interferre with the normal flow of things. Rooibos tea (red bush) is good, caffeine free, and good for digestion too. Green Tea is ok, though as others have said, can impact folic acid absorption, so if you do drink it, don't do so within 4 hours of taking a folic acid supplement. Ginseng tea is good, it will give you a kick, and is caffeine free too. Try the Be Charged tea, think it's Red Seal or Healtheries, available at New World. As to what I'm doing, I have cut out coffee mostly. Some days I have it, but it's more of a habit than a need. ------------- Me 38 DH 39 DD1 - 3 years, born prem at 30 weeks after 5 years TTC DD2 - born prem at 33 weeks http://lilypie.com"> 
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