Tel: 0407 946 799

Post Transfer Lifestyle and Dietary Advice from a TCM Perspective

 

So, you have had your embryo transfer, what do you do now? It’s usually up to a 2 week wait until the blood test. How do you optimise your chances of a successful outcome during this period? I am often asked so many questions about what we recommend at this time from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective so I have decided to summarise the advice that I usually share with my patients.

 

Dos and Don’ts Post Transfer

 

•  Relax, destress and stay positive: This is by far, the most frequent and important recommendation I make! Events leading up to the transfer and the actual transfer day itself can be stressful. Hence once the embryo is transferred it is time to relax and destress. It’s also important to stay positive and block any negative thoughts that may creep in to your psyche. Nurture yourself by taking some down time. Read a book, watch a movie or recline on the couch and just do nothing. Ensure that you get plenty of sleep and do some meditation or yoga if you are that way inclined. Going back to work and one’s normal routine is recommended at this point as it is a good distraction. I usually also recommend an acupuncture session during this time to help calm any anxieties you may be experiencing.

•  Abstain from strenuous physical activity: Avoid high impact exercise (including running, jogging and skiing) and other strenuous activities such as heavy lifting. Essentially you need to steer clear of any activity which raises your heart rate over 140 bpm. Alternatively, you can engage in more gentle physical activities such as walking, gentle yoga, Tai Chi or Chi Gong.

•  Modify your diet: It is imperative at this time, that you eat as though you’re already pregnant. Follow the Listeria guidelines issued by the DHHS. Ensure that you are eating a diet rich in lean protein, oily fish (low mercury varieties such as salmon), complex carbohydrates and good quality fruit and vegetables. Avoid shellfish unless it is from a reliable source as it is frequently the cause of food poisoning.

From a TCM perspective we recommend you eat warming nourishing foods such as slow cooked soups and stews. Avoid cold foods and drinks such as salads, smoothies, chilled water and raw fruit and vegetables. It goes without saying that at this time you need to abstain from toxic substances such as alcohol and nicotine and reduce your caffeine intake. Usually, I recommend my patients switch to decaf during pregnancy.

•  Increase your consumption of fluids: Having an adequate fluid intake ensues that all cells (including those in the endometrium) are well hydrated so that they can function properly. Again, from a TCM perspective we are always recommending warm drinks over chilled ones. So, focus on warming herbal teas and hot lemon and ginger drinks and drinking your water warm or tepid. I usually advise my patients to boil filtered their water and drink it once it’s cooled down a little.

•  Take your supplements: Usually at this time I recommend a practitioner only Pre Natal vitamin, a high-quality fish oil supplement with good levels of DHA and EPA and a Natal probiotic. For various reasons I may have patients on Chinese Herbs or other supplements, it just depends on the needs of each individual client.

•  Avoid getting overheated: Essentially this means to avoid hot baths, spas and saunas. Not only do these activities raise your body temperature, some can be breeding grounds for harmful bacteria which could potentially lead to an infection. Swimming in public swimming pools is also ill advised for the same reason. Hot yoga is also not recommended for obvious reasons.

 

Although this is not an exhaustive list of all the dos and don’ts after an embryo transfer its indicative of the recommendations l give my patients on a regular basis. Most of them are not too hard to achieve and basically just good common sense!

 

Contact Us

Please call the clinic on 0407 946 799 for any enquires or bookings or fill out the form below.

Innate Harmony

2/228 Clarendon St, East Melbourne

ABOUT INNATE HARMONY

Welcome to the Innate Harmony website: the website of Danielle Baker, Registered Acupuncturist (AHPRA). Danielle has been providing acupuncture services in East Melbourne for over 15 years. She offers expertise and experience utilising Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine to address a wide range of health concerns with a particular emphasis on women’s health, fertility, stress management and pain related disorders.

Service Areas

Melbourne CBD, East Melbourne, South Yarra, Fitzroy, Carlton, Hawthorn, Kew, Prahran, Abbotsford, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Toorak, Brunswick, Richmond.

ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES

Services Provided

Acupuncture
Electro Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine (Pill and capsule formulas)
Moxibustion
Chinese Dietary Therapy
Lifestyle Advice
Food as Medicine

To find out more about the conditions we treat, please call us on 0407 946 799 to speak to Danielle directly or complete the online form.

CONNECT

Service Hours

Monday to Friday: 10.00am to 7.00pm
Saturday: 8.30am to 3.00pm
(IVF support treatments available outside these hours by appointment)
Address: 2/228 Clarendon St, East Melbourne. 3002.

Phone: 0407 946 799

Email: [email protected]