Drinking wine or alcohol during fertility treatment is strictly avoidable. The doctors and specialists recommended couples avoid intaking alcohol if they are planning for pregnancy or during fertility treatment. It potentially affects fertility and reduces pregnancy outcomes. However, this is a common question that we often hear from patients: whether alcohol consumption is advisable before FET. This article explains them clearly:
Experiencing parenthood is a dream of many married couples. They are undergoing different fertility treatments to optimize the chances of success. Similar to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), the Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) is another efficient medical procedure to overcome infertility issues.
The journey of Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) is both exciting and overwhelming. During the procedure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle improves the success rate of pregnancy.
What is Frozen Embryo Transfer
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) is one of the processes that helps you become pregnant. It is by thawing that one or more cryopreserved embryos created in a previous IVF cycle have been transferred into the uterus. It is more flexible for parents and increases the chances of pregnancy than a fresh embryo transfer.
Potential Risk Factors of Wine Consumption Before FET
In general, alcohol consumption creates adverse effects on both men and women’s fertility. It leads to poor egg and sperm quality, hormonal imbalances, and impedes the success rate of conception. This is a reason that the doctors are recommended to reduce or eliminate the alcohol consumption when trying to conceive, especially during fertility treatment.
Embryo Development
As stated earlier, embryo transfer is a crucial section in the FET procedure. During early pregnancy, intaking alcohol can potentially harm the embryo growth and uncover risk factors like birth defects and FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders).
Implantation and Success Rate
Surprisingly, even a moderate or low alcohol intake can negatively impact embryo development during FET. More than implantation, it significantly affects the overall pregnancy outcomes. To improve the chances of successful fertility treatment, it is advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle.
React with medications
You’re likely to be prescribed various fertility medications to regulate hormonal levels, improve the implantation process, and stimulate egg production. Hence, consuming alcohol may overreact with medications, which compromises their effectiveness and causes negative pregnancy results.
Harms your Emotion
Generally, fertility treatment is stressful and challenging. While some individuals find alcohol is a way to handle such anxiety and stress. However, it is not healthy and advisable. In order to achieve the successful pregnancy result, involve yourself in activities like meditation, exercises, book reading, etc.
Guidelines for Wine Consumption During FET
Undoubtedly, alcohol consumption should be avoided during the FET process. So far, it is best to follow these rules:
Bring Positive Changes
To improve the chances of a positive pregnancy outcome, you want to make positive changes in your lifestyle, like a healthy meal in your diet, regular meditation and exercises, drinking less alcohol, and avoiding junk foods.
Moderation is Best
If you find it difficult to stop alcohol consumption even during the FET procedure, then limit the level. It is still best to control the cravings and stop drinking gradually. Because drinking too much alcohol makes the sperm and egg less healthy.
Chase Emotional Support
Stress and anxiety are common symptoms during frozen embryo transfer. To get rid of your mood off, talk to your friends and family, join meditation to support your emotional feelings, or go to counseling. It may help you feel relaxed and stress-free.
Consult your Specialist
If you can’t eliminate alcohol during the FET procedure, consult your doctor or fertility doctor for personalized advice. They provide tailored solutions according to your health condition and situation.
Tips for Successful Embryo Transfer Procedure
Frozen Embryo Transfer is a fair idea to improve the success rate of pregnancy. You can kick start this journey with positivity and confidence with the below tips:
Take Medications On Time
You’ll be given medications for various purposes, like hormonal balance, supporting egg production, or increasing progesterone levels for the FET procedure. To prepare your physical and mental health, intaking suggested medicines on time is important. Ensure the given medications are organized well to have it without miss.
Keep yourself Entertained
Whether you would like to read books, watch TV, or listen to music, do it regularly and keep yourself comfortable. Your mental health is everything, especially if you are undergoing an embryo transfer procedure for the first time. These activities make you stress-free and improve the opportunities for successful outcomes.
Get Enough Sleep
Being on bed rest is good. Plenty of sleep and fertility are well connected. To support your embryo transfer, a woman is recommended to have complete rest and have enough sleep. The sleep cycle should be at least 7 to 8 hours, which keeps your physical and mental health calm.
Avoid Extreme Temperature
Avoid exposing your body or abdomen to extreme temperatures. This rule is particularly for women using laptops during fertility procedures or while pregnant. It enhances the uterus function and enhances the chances of a successful FET procedure.
Final Lines
Wine may seem like a harmless drink, but it is not advisable during frozen embryo treatment. To improve the chances of pregnancy, you need to follow the guidelines specified by your specialist. Implement healthy activities in your lifestyle and give importance to your physical and mental wellness.
Alcohol consumption can potentially affect the fertility of both men and women. It restricts implantation and embryo development, which may reduce the chances of overall pregnancy outcomes.
Doctors are advised to avoid intaking alcohol for several months before an FET treatment. It allows you to recover your body and improves the opportunities for success.
