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Battling infertility, Dr's say no to vegan. Help!!
Started
by Leigh Michelle
on August 11, 2011
and try sex every other day... it gives the man a chance to regenerate full grown healthy swimmers, and no matter when you ovulate, the egg is viable for 3 days so you wont miss the moment ;)
Dawn Puusa recommended a book that was recommended to me by my OB/GYN. "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". It's a big book but well worth reading.
I'm in my upper-30's right now and have been trying since June to get preggers. This book has been a wonderful and informative guide to how to track my cycle and figure out my most fertile days along with a slew of information about women's cycles and conception. Like I said, we've only been trying for 3 months and when I went to talk to my doctor before we threw all caution to the wind, she said the vegan thing shouldn't be a problem as long as I eat a balanced diet. She was more concerned with my calcium intake than my protein intake. She's hip to the "Americans eat too much protein as it is" theory. She even proscribed a Vegan prenatal vitamin for me with a veggie DHA source. I think being vegan doesn't matter. What matters is having good all-around health, which includes exercise, being a healthy weight, de-stressing, being familiar with your cycle and tracking it like the above book suggests so that if there is a problem, you can pinpoint exactly where the problem lies (if there is one).
Don't forget there are 2 people in the equation also...so your significant other's health and habits contribute to a successful conception too. I mean its summer, it's hot, those little guys your man is carrying around on his person like cool temperatures, loose undies...you get the idea.
I wouldn't focus on the vegan thing as a hindrance. Take it easy. Have fun and Good Luck!
As someone who's read about a million books on infertility, I can tell you that most say to eat less meat. Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a great book for learning about when you can conceive. But if that's not your problem, I think my favorite is Inconceivable by Julia Indichova. She also has a follow up book - The Fertile Female - but I haven't finished reading that one. Her website is www.fertileheart.com.
Wow. I am overwhelming grateful for all of your suggestions. I will definately look for those great book recommendations. I really needed someone to knock the info I already knew back into me. Thank you all worlds!!
I am a 2nd generation vegan and got pregnant very quickly. There was a large presence in the local and health food movement of women telling me a vegan diet would lower my progesterone levels, one of the women then reported that she was missing her cycles (not pregnant) and the other wished to conceive and had 3 miscarriages. They were both omni telling me my reproductive system was messed up. Trust your heart. Also I have found that many times when you want a child so badly it never comes, and the moment you give up hope and begin to relax and maybe accept that it may never happen and come to terms with that it does. It is easier said then done, but I feel that when many women finally give up hope and accept that maybe they weren't meant to have children it happens. Good luck sending may blessings your way.
What do you ladies think about eliminating processed soy (soy creamer, veggie burgers) to help with fertility? Also, has any of the literature said to eliminate even decaf coffee? I am wondering if consuming both of these items may be hurting my ferility..
I would eliminate (or severely limit) processed soy. It's a good idea anyway. Caffeine isn't so great either and even decaf has some.
How did you get on in the end Leigh? I have struggled for a baby now for 5 years, more fertility drugs and a near death experience with IVF took me on the Vegan path. I now have a small bleed mid cycle each month and have positive ovulation tests since going Vegan, I know its helping my body more than meat. Listen to your body, it knows what to do :) x
Yes love the comment above, bodies make babies not doctors! lol
Hey, there are several great books out there like Julia Indochina's about going vegan and getting pregnant with severe fertility issues. She read a study about wheat grass juice reversing infertility in cows-- lots of other stuff. The only thing I've read that seems a little convincing is a bit of dairy (organic grass fed) seems to help, which of course is not vegan. It's hard but don't give up hope, and don't lie-- find new doctors that are well-versed in nutrition too. Ask why they want meat for you-- what nutrients will the meat provide that you need, and then go to the amazing vegan sources for them! good luck!
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