What foods should be avoided after an IVF procedure?

Question

Hello doctor,

My wife and I are undergoing infertility treatment. I am 42 years old, and my wife is 37. We have had a failed IVF and a failed frozen embryo transfer. One month ago, we had an IVF procedure, and it has turned positive. Now we are in the fourth week, and we are very concerned about the foods to eat and avoid.Since we have failed a couple of times, we worry that any of our lifestyle habits might cause negative changes.

We have been taking green tea with ginger, lemon, and honey regularly for the past three years, and we consume non-vegetarian food, mostly seafood.I read in some articles that taking ginger and honey is not advisable during early pregnancy and that we should also avoid heat-producing foods. So, we are quite confused. Please advise us regarding this issue

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The psychological as well as lifestyle changes will definitely affect the fetus (baby within the uterus). Generally, heat producing foods or activities lead to production of prostaglandins. These prostaglandins can disturb the uterus.

Thus, certain foods have to be avoided. For example: groundnut, sesame, chicken, pineapple, pasalai keerai, and more.

Here are my suggestions for nutrition:

You can consume seafood or fresh water fishes. Mutton is safe and good. Egg is also good.
Green tea, ginger and honey are good to regulate the digestion as well as to reduce vomiting sensation during pregnancy.
Other foods to be taken are amla (gooseberry), lemon (juice or pickle), mango (tender mango is good). Mango fruit is not good during pregnancy. Buttermilk is good.
Tamarind, grapes, green chilly (less spicy variety) and ginger (fresh or dry) can be taken. Dry ginger can be taken as Chukku Kashayam with palm jaggery. Despite these foods are heat, these are safe in pregnancy.
Avoid white or brown sugar (from sugarcane). Use only palm jaggery or pure honey as a sweetening agent.
First trimester (first three months of pregnancy) is the crucial period. Thus, if you feel/doubt something is not good, avoid it during the first three months. After that, the fetus is strongly implanted in the uterus and there would be no problem.
Daily walk in the evening is good during pregnancy.
From the fourth month, you can perform yoga by consulting trained yoga teachers. Many more siddha drugs are available such as calcium and iron supplements.

You can buy the following siddha drugs:

Annabhedi chendooram mathirai (iron tablet): Two tablets in the morning and at night. One tablet in the afternoon. This never produces constipation like allopathic iron tablets.
Madhulai manappagu (this is a syrup from pomegranate): 0.17 ounces three times a day with water. This is the best nutrient and it also prevents vomiting.
Bhavana Panjankula thailam - 0.17 ounces morning and 0.08 ounces at bed time. Take this from first trimester till delivery. This drug strengthens the immunity of mother and fetus and ensures normal delivery. All these three drugs are for pregnant women.

Stay healthy. Revert back to an ayurveda specialist online for further queries.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.