Are you going to undergo frozen embryo transfer in the near future? Then, congratulations. You have successfully reached the final stage of IVF treatments.
This stage is the most important step of the entire IVF treatment as it determines the success and failure of your treatment. Hence, it is essential for you to be careful and avoid things that can affect your results.
Wine, or alcohol, is one drink that has varied opinions among many professionals. Some will advise you to avoid it completely, and some argue that occasional drinking won’t affect IVF results. We will look into this topic in detail in this article.
Can You Drink Wine Before Frozen Embryo Transfer?
There is no definite answer to this question. Most medical professionals advise patients to avoid consuming alcohol completely during the entire IVF procedure. However, some doctors allow their patients to consume small amounts of alcohol before embryo transfer.
Frozen embryo transfer involves using previously frozen eggs, sperm, or embryos for IVF. If you have concerns regarding whether you can drink alcohol or not before frozen embryo transfer, you need to consult your fertility doctor.
Most times, the decision about whether you can consume alcohol depends on your fertility and health condition. After your doctor has analyzed your condition, if all seems fine, you might be allowed to consume some wine before embryo transfer.
However, if there are complications in your IVF treatments, you should definitely avoid consuming alcohol.
Note: You can only consume alcohol (if allowed by your doctor) before frozen embryo transfer. After embryo transfer, you are strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol.
Effects Of Alcohol On IVF FET Results
Alcohol consumption is one of the major factors affecting the success rate of your IVF treatments. It affects both men and women by decreasing their fertility and lowering IVF success rates.
According to a study conducted in 2011, couples who drank four or more glasses of alcohol per week had a 21% lower chance of successful pregnancy compared to couples who had less than four glasses of alcohol per week.
Below are some effects alcohol can have on your fertility and IVF results.
Poor egg and sperm quality
Egg and sperm quality is an essential factor for IVF success. Alcohol consumption can affect their quality and affect fertilization and implantation rates. This affects IVF success rate.
Hormonal imbalance
Excess alcohol consumption can affect your hormones and cause ovulation and implantation issues. This can affect your fertility and IVF results.
Embryo development
Even if you succeed in IVF and embryo implantation, alcohol consumption can affect healthy embryo development in the uterus. This can cause complications in IVF pregnancy.
Overall health
Excess alcohol consumption can affect your immune system and decrease your overall health. This can also severely affect the success rate of your IVF treatments.
What To Avoid Before Frozen Embryo Transfer
Along with alcohol, there are some other things you need to avoid before frozen embryo transfer for a higher success rate. Below is a general overview of the things you should avoid.
Smoking
Like alcohol, smoking can also affect your hormone levels and decrease fertility. This can affect your IVF success rate. Most doctors usually recommend quitting alcohol and smoking at least 3 months before starting IVF for better results.
Caffeine
High amounts of caffeine can also affect your IVF results. So, ensure you consume alcohol in moderation. It is best to consult your doctor regarding caffeine during your IVF treatment.
Processed foods
Processed, fried, and junk foods are high in artificial sugars and unhealthy oils. Avoid this completely before frozen embryo transfer.
Raw foods
Raw, uncooked foods might contain harmful bacteria that can affect embryo implantation. So, ensure your foods are thoroughly cooked before consuming them.
Red meat
Red meat has been shown to cause inflammation and increase body heat. It is best to avoid it before embryo transfer.
What Can You Consume To Improve IVF Results?
Here are some essential foods you can consume to increase your frozen embryo transfer success rates.
- Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens, etc.)
- Fruits & vegetables (broccoli, carrots, apples, bananas, etc.)
- Whole grains (brown rice, whole-wheat bread, quinoa, etc.)
- Lean meat (chicken breast, fish, etc.)
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
- Healthy fats (nuts & seeds, avocados, olive oil, etc.)
- Dairy products (green yoghurt, skimmed milk, cottage cheese, etc.)
Conclusion
As a general rule, it is best to completely avoid alcohol and other harmful foods before, during, and after IVF treatment. In some cases, even a low amount of alcohol has been shown to decrease IVF success rates.
If you are not able to quit alcohol and need some medical assistance, immediately consult your doctor. They will set you up for counselling and suggest you some healthy alternatives for alcohol. Don’t worry; your doctors will do their best to ensure you have a safe and successful frozen embryo transfer and pregnancy.
Below are some effects alcohol can have on your fertility and IVF results.
- It can affect egg & sperm quality and affect fertilization and implantation rates.
- It can affect your hormones and cause ovulation and implantation issues.
- It can affect healthy embryo development in the uterus.
- It can affect your immune system and decrease your overall health.
Yes, excess alcohol consumption can affect embryo implantation and cause IVF failures. Even if implantation was successful, there might be a higher chance of miscarriage.
Below is a general overview of the things you should avoid before frozen embryo transfer.
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Excess caffeine
- Processed foods
- Raw foods
- Red meat
