egg/sperm quality advice

[Maureenhdez]

Hi ladies! I will be 36 in November and my DH is 42. I was wondering if there is anything we would need to do differently than those couples who are in their 20’s, to ensure a healthy baby and pregnancy.

I am planning to take 1000mcg of folate (does this sound like a good dose?). And have DH do frequent release the days leading up to our attempt (as abstaining can be dangerous).

Is there anything else we should be doing to ensure a healthy baby?




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[atomic sagebrush]

I like you guys to take 1200-1600 folic acid or folate but 1000 is adequate.

:agree: with skipping abstain.

I would not give hubby licorice root or peppermint tea, only use Olive Leaf Extract 500-1000 mg daily started 3 months before planned attempt, and when u get a BFP, gradually wean off that by spacing doses further and furhter out till down to one per week, then you can drop them. He can also do soy milk 12-48 oz a day and fiber if he's willing to.

[atomic sagebrush]

OH and I have a variation of LE Diet htat is better for egg quality, but it's harder to stick to, more expensive, and you can lose weight very quickly on it. At 36 I would likely not recommend it unless you think you have reasons to be on it (such as PCOS or tendencies that way, insulin resistance, trouble losing weight, history of miscarriages or gestational diabetes...)

[Maureenhdez]

Thank you! Unfortunately, my DH is not willing to do much of anything [emoji849]except BD related things (FR, 3 days before O). He won’t take supplements or change diet except he says he’ll try to decrease red meat intake the month we ttc. Is it ok for me to drink peppermint tea? Would you suggest pure cranberry juice for me with some Equal? It wouldn’t affect O, would it?


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[atomic sagebrush]

That's ok, most of our husbands would do nothing to sway.

I don't recommend peppermint tea for anyone over 35 *(and am barely using it for anyone any more as it hasn't worked and cuts odds of conception) as we've had very poor odds of conception with it for women over 35.

I don't recommend cranberry juice for anyone. It isn't concentrated enough to help with a sway. And even in highly concentrated supplement form, it hasn't worked. Plus, the nutrients in the cran juice may undermine a pink sway anyway, and all for no benefit to your sway.

[Maureenhdez]

Being over 35, should I take LR? Or would it mess with my ovulation or conception?

Also, I have IBS and my GI doctor recommended I start a fiber supplement. I was thinking of using the Fiber Choice tablets. Would this be ok for girl sway? I have heard fiber can sway girl, just not sure if it matters what brand.


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[atomic sagebrush]

Hmm rereading this it appears I did not give you the link to the version of LE Diet that is better for egg qualtiy. https://www.genderdreaming.com/forum/ttc-a-girl-best-practices/1865-swaying-under-special-circumstances-part-1-blood-sugar-issues.html

Women MUST NOT take licorice root. It has been proven to cause developmental delays in fetuses when women ate licorice (just the CANDY! not even the very concentrated supplements!) during pregnancy and since we do not know the mechanism for this, or how long the effects last in your body, it is by far safest to avoid LR entirely when TTC.

:agree: any fiber is fine if you like it and can find it easily. All sway pink.

[Maureenhdez]

Thank you AS!!

Is the LE diet for blood sugar issues the same diet for egg quality? I don’t think I have blood sugar issues, but I would like to do what I can to ensure a healthy baby.

I’m glad I didn’t take the LR. That is so scary! I had just read so many pink success stories with LR on some of the Facebook pages I’m in. I’m not willing to put my baby’s health at risk though.




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[atomic sagebrush]

Yes it is. A type of diet that is better for blood sugar is also better for egg quality. Same circumstances apply.

Yes I am appalled by the use of the LR and I feel those people are playing roulette with human life (not to be melodramatic, LOL) This is not some vague allegation, either, studies have been done and even with just the licorice candy during pregnancy it caused harm and we just need to err on the side of caution.

[Maureenhdez]

I like you guys to take 1200-1600 folic acid or folate but 1000 is adequate.

:agree: with skipping abstain.

I would not give hubby licorice root or peppermint tea, only use Olive Leaf Extract 500-1000 mg daily started 3 months before planned attempt, and when u get a BFP, gradually wean off that by spacing doses further and furhter out till down to one per week, then you can drop them. He can also do soy milk 12-48 oz a day and fiber if he's willing to.

I have one more question on taking the 1200-1600mcg of folate each day. Should it be taken all at once or a few times a day? I am planning to ttc next month (and will be turning 36 next month also). Should I start folate now or when I get AF next month?


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[atomic sagebrush]

split it into smaller doses (usually the pills are 400 mcg so u'd take 3-4 a day, spread out over the course of the day) and take several times a day. That way it's best absorbed.

I would start the folate now, it doesn't hurt anythign and may help if you take it in advance.