Supporting Your Health During IVF - A Holistic Perspective

June 12, 2007 - Tuesday
7:29 PM to (EST)
Guest Speakers: Jennifer Wallace HNP
NYU Fertililty Center

Categories
Acupuncture • Complementary Medicine • Fertility

	Corey_Whelan joined.
Corey_Whelan	Welcome everyone to tonight's AFA Chat. I am Corey Whelan, your chat moderator and the AFA's Director of Development. Tonight's topic is Taking Care of Your Health During IVF - a Holistic Perspective. Our guest speaker this evening is Jennifer Wallace, RN, HNP, of the NYU Fertility Center. Ms. Wallace runs the Holistic Services Program at NYUFC.
	Jen_Wallace joined.
	shaymer01 joined.
	susiewood joined.
	jd joined.
Corey_Whelan	Welcome folks. Jennifer Wallace is on board to answer your questions.
shaymer01	Good evening
Corey_Whelan	I actually have a question that I am asked a lot from the patients, concerning exercise and ttc. What works, what doesn't? I was told not to exercise when I was ttc, and I always felt that that was not good advise. I felt much more separated from my physical self when I was less, well, physical.
	moondreams joined.
	susiewood left.
Jen_Wallace	I think exercise is great for stress reduction and circulation. It should be modified. Nothing overexertional. Listen to your body
	nycchix joined.
Corey_Whelan	Welcome all
jd	Jen, what do you think about acupuncture as it relates to IVF?
nycchix	Jen?
Jen_Wallace	Accupuncture has opened our eyes to the ways in which we can care for our bodies in totality. This is a great thing. There are other ways as well..
jd	what other holistic methods would you recommend to increase chances of success in IVF?
shaymer01	What kind of other suggestions do you have? I have been told to take royal jelly, CoQ10, L-arginine, DHEA....chinese herbs. I feel like I could pop pills all day. Truly eat, sleep and dreaming ttc.
Jen_Wallace	JD- Nutrition, light non-strenuous exercise, reduction in environmental toxins, mind-body techniques such as guided imagery and support groups.
	rcl29 joined.
nycchix	Jen- how do you recommend any chinese herbs?
jd	Thank you!
	jilar45 joined.
Jen_Wallace	Shaymer- you have to be careful abou the pills you pop and how you combine them. Natural doesn't always mean safe. Most of what we need we can get through diet..
	nycchix left.
Jen_Wallace	nycchix- with an herbalist advice of course and not during a medicated cycle..
moondreams	Have any long term studies been conducted on the long term effects of lupron, estrace, progesterone? Any natural therapies/supplements you recommend while on these meds, especially lupron. My joints felt stiff and achey and I worry specifically about lupron...Thanks.
shaymer01	thks Jen, so do you recommend any of those pills? and what kind of nutritional guidelines do you suggest?
	nycchix joined.
Jen_Wallace	moondreams- lupron does suppress your estrogen and can cause achy joints! this usually stops once estrogen is returned. To date there is no clear evidence that these meds are harmful when used appropriately. However, there are harmful chemicals in the daily products we use and foods we eat.
jilar45	I am going July 19th for my first appointment for IVF can I still take my prenatal vitamins from my doctor?
nycchix	Jen- lupron is making me tired. I imagine this is part of the ivf fun??
rcl29	Hi...I hope this was not already discussed before I joined, but do you recommend a higher protein, lower simple carb diet during fertility treatments?
Jen_Wallace	Jilar45- Yes, it's a good idea to start your PNV early to build up folic acid in your system. Many PNV's also now have omega #'s DHA and EPA shown to be beneficial in many ways.
jilar45	I quit smoking 13 weeks ago is there anything else I can do to get my body healthy before IVF....Is the tobacco out of my system by now?
Jen_Wallace	rcl29 and Shaymer- I recommend a "clean diet" organic as much as possible. Plenty of fresh whole foods- especially a variety. Do not eat the same thing everyday. If you are eating meat try to make it organic.
Jen_Wallace	jilar45- smoking can cause chromosomal damage. it's hard to know specifically the effect smoking has had for you, but antioxidants can be helpful from fresh fruit and vegetables, green or black tea in moderation, vitamin C
jilar45	ok I figured by the time I start IVF it will be 16 or 17 weeks smoke free so I guess its better than nothing right
moondreams	Thanks, would you recommend calcium supplements to counter the lupron? I eat organic whole foods diet and have a "green/clean" home. Also any prenatal multi vitamins you recommend? I was on Rainbow Light's Just Once. I was concerned about the 90 mg blend of raspberry and ginger. I have started taking Simply One which has green food blends added. Curious what you would prescribe. Much thanks!
Jen_Wallace	jilar45> absolutely! congratulations for quitting! This is the positive side of this process- it makes us take a look at how we can improve overall health.
Jen_Wallace	moondreams> I use Duet DHA ec, it is regulated and you can be sure whats in it. REmember that many supplements and herbals have no FDA regualtion, you can not be sure what you're getting.
jilar45	can you get the DHA by its self? I was given the Duet but it was not on my formulary
Jen_Wallace	jilar45> most prenatals now come w/ DHA, by comparison Duet seems to be the most balanced. You can get DHA by itself. Fish oils are recommended over flax but check the heavy metal content .. mercury.
jilar45	Ok so fish oils are better?
Jen_Wallace	Yes, the lignins in flax have been shown to have an effect on estrogen.
jilar45	Do you know if there are any reputable online stores that sell items that we know are going to be safe?
Jen_Wallace	Metagenics is a great supplement co. but require a license practitioner to order. Megahealth is OTC and reputable. If you are unsure ask your physician or pharmacist.
jilar45	Ok
	rcl29 left.
jilar45	Any suggestions for supplements that are essential during IVF?
	nycchix left.
Jen_Wallace	Again most of what you need you can get via a prenantal vit + a balanced diet. Alcohol depletes B vitamins. ADEK can reach toxic levels so be careful of these. I believe vitamin C is helpful as an antioxidant for both males and females. Males may also benefit from Zinc/copper balance and coq10 when followed by a practitioner.
moondreams	I have been taking a PNV, fish oil and coQ10. anything you'd add or take away during IVF cycle and pregnancy?
Jen_Wallace	jilar45> it is importnat to remember that everyone's needs are different so you need to be evaluated by a practitioner... there is rarely a one size fits all diet/ or supplement guideline.
jilar45	Ok I'll ask when I go on the 19th of July
Jen_Wallace	moondreams> Focus on eating foods that healthy- vitali, colorful, fresh, and organic when possible.
	jilar45 left.
Jen_Wallace	jilar45> will you be doing your IVF cycle at NYU?
	mruss joined.
	jd left.
Jen_Wallace	Welcome mruss, is there anything I can help you with?
	kfenton joined.
Corey_Whelan	folks, I need to let you know that we've got about 15 minutes left, so please don't hold your questions inside!
	kaykay joined.
Jen_Wallace	Again there are many ways to help balance the body & mind while trying to concieve. Ways that improve our overall health for males and females. Most recommendations are not expensive and have lasting and cummulative effect.
	lt3333 joined.
moondreams	I happen to be allergic to many chemicals. Being sensitive, I've always read food labels and eat as little additives as possible. I am concerned about the long list on the Duet DHA label which list 20 "Other Ingredients." The PNV I get from the health food store don't have additives like Silicon Dioxide, Polysorbate 80 etc. Ialso just found an article that says Polyethylene glycol is graded C by the FDA as could pose a risk to a fetus. Why would this be in this vitamin?!
Jen_Wallace	That is a good question, some of these things are used in the casings to keep the vit/min or oil stable. I will speak to the rep about this concern. You can contact me at NYU to follow up.
	kfenton left.
moondreams	Thanks I really appreciate your looking into this. I know other docs at NYU that prescribe Stuart Prenatal which have the same list of hidden additives. Every time I'm about to do an IVF cycle, I agonize over which PNV to take and stick with the additive free ones. Will contact you at work to discuss this further. Many thanks...
shaymer01	I know there is not much time. I am curious about the mind-body techniques, is this something you can expand upon in a short time?
Jen_Wallace	moondreams> Again, most of the pills w/ FDA reg will haev stabalizers, but this is a concern. I have an account w/ metagenics which is a pharamceutical grade supp co.. I will speak to them about PNVs and also look into other reputable co's for you.
Corey_Whelan	I think if we can tackle shaymer's question that will be the last one tonight, folks
	QT joined.
Jen_Wallace	Yes, I incorporate Guided Imagery and Guided meditaion into our group classes and individual sessions. These techniques can have a profound effect. Often relaxing, centering, or grounding. During IVF we try to "do" so much that this is a chance to consciously slow down and gain perspective of our inner and outer world. The group session quickly becomes supportive and nurturing.
moondreams	I was on metagenics when I went to my chiropractor. I don't think they have additives. Granted the Duet's additives may be small quantities, but you'd think unnecessary given it's for pregnancy...thanks again for following up on this...
Corey_Whelan	Jen, thank you so much for your words tonight! Wow! I learned a lot. And I want to wish all of you the best of luck on your journey. Our time together is officially at an end. Good night all! See you next week.
	Corey_Whelan left.
shaymer01	Thank you very much
	QT left.
Jen_Wallace	Thanks for joining, best wishes!
	Jen_Wallace left.
	shaymer01 left.
	lt3333 left.
	moondreams left.
	mruss left.
	chrisserm1 joined.
	chrisserm1 left.
	kaykay left.
	hoping joined.
	hoping left.
	s1976 joined.
	s1976 left.
	blackquenn777 joined.
blackquenn777	Hello, looks like I missed it once again. I guess I should check my email sooner and more often, huh?
	blackquenn777 left.

Supporting Your Health During IVF - A Holistic Perspective

Categories

Chat Archives