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Battling infertility, Dr's say no to vegan. Help!!
Started
by Leigh Michelle
on August 11, 2011
I have been struggling with infertility so I have been seeing my dr, as well as, an acupuncturist. Both are saying I absolutely need animal protein. They say that it will make it much more difficult without it. They are very strongly recommending this....VERY. I don't know what to do. I don't want to go back to animal protein but I'm desperate for pregnancy. Anyone else dealt with this???
I don't see what one has to do with the other. Sound like quacks to me, but I am not trained in that field.
In my opinion: I would either change doctor/acupuncturists or lie to them and say that you went omni, but then after you get pregnant (I hope you do, and sending positive vibes your way) be sure to tell them the truth, because you wouldn't want them telling the next person (who may not be as strong as you) the same thing.
I have a friend that thought she could never have children, she tried for years, then gave up (even did fertility treatments) about 16 years afterwards she lost 70 pounds and got pregnant, nothing else changed for her.
Another friend got pregnant after a couple tries of invitro, then when she wanted a second they tried invitro 3 more times, nothing. Shortly after the last treatment (it was just a few months) she got pregnant naturally.
Good stories I thought I would share, hope in a few months you can share your good story.
I've been talking to a macrobiotic counselor who's been helping people with infertility for 30 years including his neice. Needless to say, all his clients have been successful.
Hang in there Leigh, I struggled for 4 years with 3 miscariages back to back and I'm now happy to say that I have a healthy 2 1/2 year old boy.
All the best luck to you and your spouse:)
You probably just need to find the right doctor or prove them wrong. My sister is a vegetarian and her first doctor wasn't thrilled about her being pregnant and veggie. But she now has a different doctor who thinks it's great. Of course just make sure you are getting plenty of nutrients and I don't see why it would matter one way or another.
Thank you all so much. It has been difficult. It makes it harder when they look at you like 'you asked me to help you and this is what will help and your not doing it'. I know many vegan moms but still it plays with your head a bit.
I was curious about this and did a little ressearch. What I found is that vegans have lower body fat and that can play a role? They also say that sometimes we have longer cycles delaying ovulation. I read an intersting book years ago that stated only 4% of women ovulate on 14 day cycle. This is so true. I was able to tell my midwives the day I conceived and it was no where near the "DR.s" guessed. The book is called "taking charge of your fertility". I hope you can find it and that it gives you some helpful advice or just helps to empower you. I have not found many dr.s that are supportive of veg diets so I'm not surprised that they are looking for an easy excuse to blame your conception delay. I wish you the best of luck and just try to relax and breath. Sometimes babies come into your life when you least expect them and not always the way that you thought 
I hope something works out for you and you do not have to start eating animal products.
I've heard that one reason non vegetarians get pregnant easier is because of all the growth hormones in meat and dairy, which is also why they are more likely to have twins than vegans as well.
If low body fat is partly to blame try eating more nuts, avacaddos, etc to gain a few pounds. And like someone mentioned above don't trust the idea that all women ovulate on day 14.
I'll also be sending positive vibes your way. I hope things work out.
Women have difficulty getting pregnant if they are underweight or overweight because their hormones are off, which would make sense why imblissful's friend succeeded when she dropped 70 pounds. I dont' think there should be any problem as long as you are eating a healthy diet with healthy fats. How long have you been trying to get pregnant?
people always want to blame vegan eating for something. It's so polarizing. So many people are so adamant about animal protein, and they are usually the older people that were brainwashed by the meat and dairy industry. Dr.s get about 30 seconds of nutritional education. Most of us know more about it then them. I got pregnant being vegan easily and I was overweight too. So, why blame all these reasons. It's just harder for some people than others. Maybe do your own experiment and see if eating meat will help if you can stand it. I know that's controversial but you don't have to go overboard, just have some organic free range meat once in a while and see if it helps, but I'm so tired of people discouraging eating this way! I get it from people all the time and my mom, who has cancer, trying to eat this way to help her cancer gets discouraged by people too. It's annoying because they don't know what they're talking about
i am venturing a guess that the reason your docs are pushing animal protein is for the cholesterol, which is a building block for hormones.... however, i would agree with rachel above and up your ante of fatty veggies and google some estrogeny foods like soy....
and just relaaaaaaaax.... babies defy all medical logic... god makes babies, not doctors!
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