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Need to vent to people that can understand.....
Started
by Katie
on August 13, 2012
My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for well over a year now. He has some issues that may be causing a delay in our getting pregnant. I Have been a vegetarian for about 11 years and a vegan when I have the will power. The reason I am so upset right now is that my husband went to see a urologist today for his "sperm issues" and the Dr. told him that among the things he could change to improve his sperm that I should not be a vegetarian! That SHE does not believe in vegetarianism and that if I did manage to get pregnant that our baby would more than likely have birth defects because I refuse to eat meat! I am just devastated....... how can someone from the medical community in this day and age be so completely ignorant. I eat a variety of things, I make sure that I get everything that I need. And all of my tests, hormone levels and such came back completely normal. So how can she blame this on my being a vegetarian. I want a baby so incredibly bad but I will NEVER be able to eat meat again, it's just not an option for me. I won't take somethings life just to better my own. And even though my husband is incredibly supportive of the way I choose to live, I know that somewhere in the back of his head he must be wondering if there is some truth to what that Dr. told him. I feel horrible, I just needed to get that out of my system. Thanks for letting me vent on here! ;)
WOW. Katie I am so sorry you are having to go through this. My first advice to you is to try to find another doctor. Having an un-supportive and negative voice in what is already an emotional and trying situation can't be helpful. While you are looking for someone with a healthier approach to medicine and fertility, do some internet research for you and your husband as a reassurance that you are not alone and you are not to blame. I just did a quick google and found this "Hippie Mommy's" blog. I'll link to a post that I think may help you: http://kindofahippiemommy.blogspot.com/2011/11/veganism-and-infertility.html
I really can't believe what comes out of the medical professions mouths .... in all their smugness they don't even realise how ridiculous they sound. Just remember that at this point, you have most likely done more research on nutrition than they have in during their entire degrees. I also agree with the comment above ... find a new doctor! Best of luck!!!
Good luck and sorry you're feeling upset/angry/frustrated. I can't really be of any use as I neither have children nor trying to get pregnant. However when a friend was conceiving the doctor told her to, avoid white pasta and potatoes. He also said that soy has a mild contraceptive in it so avoid it as it kills the sperm...No one ever said eat meat or condemned veganism. I would just try to eat loads of nuts, fruit, lentils and whole foods. Good luck, you're doing great x
Thank you everyone, I really needed some positive thoughts! And I learned some new things :)
I'm sorry too Katie and I'm so appreciative that I have found a community where we can share this kind of experience. I'm not 100 percent vegan myself--not yet anyway, but, I absolutely disagree with what this DR said. Ignorance comes in all shapes and sizes-oh! and educational backgrounds.) Keep the lines of communcation open about this with your hubby and if you're worried about doubt in his mind then offer some fact based information that will demonstrate that your doctor was a little off about his one. I wish you the best!!!!
My husband just told me that same Dr. started out the whole vegetarian discussion by telling him that we were born to eat meat..... so I will just take what she says with a grain of salt. :)
I have learned over the years that unless I am 100% sure a doctor is veg friendly, I am better off not telling them! Very often doctors never ask about your diet. And if your blood work looks good, you are healthy, and they have no reason to 'suspect' that you may be veg, why leave yourself open to their criticism. Just cause they're MDs does not mean they can use their medical expertise to force their opinions on you!
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