Caffeine? yes or no?
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Category: Support
Forum Name: Coping with infertility
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Topic: Caffeine? yes or no?
Posted By: mtjt
Subject: Caffeine? yes or no?
Date Posted: 27 May 2011 at 7:21pm
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Hi girls...
I have heard conflicting stories about "caffeine". How much is ok and how much is not? Flat whites? what about if i had Decafe? That ok? i would only have 1 maybe 2 max a day... DH is now having Decafe long blacks (maybe one a day). Green tea - well i have a lot of this, probably sip on 2 or 3 cups a day - that ok? Chocolate - dont tell me i have to give this up too 
Has anyone else had decafe coffess daily ate chocolate sometimes and green teas daily and still got a BFP?? love to hear stories.. Any comments or suggestions most welcome... ------------- TTC 5 years Me 39 & DH 47 (antibodies and DNA frag issue) 1st/2nd/3rd ivf/icsi - Jan,Sept, Dec 09 4th ivf/icsi - May 10 bfn 5th ivf/icsi/tesa Dec 10 6th ivf/icsi/tesa. June 11 |
Replies:
Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 27 May 2011 at 7:55pm
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Hi mtjt there is another thread in here somewhere about this.
I see you have done IVF. Has your Doctor ever said anything to you hun? I guess at the end of the day it really is your decision and what you feel comfortable with. I did ivf to and my dr made it very clear to me that I should cut out all caffeine which included coffee, tea and chocolate. I went with that cause I would have felt guilty had I not listened to him and also just so desperate for it to work I would have tried anything. Take a look at the other thread in here though cause some ladies have some wonderful replacements  ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: mtjt
Date Posted: 27 May 2011 at 7:58pm
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thanks Kasper - after i put up this thread i realised theirs another one very similar... so yes interesting reading
I have also read somewhere that maybe Green Chai Tea is caffeine free? maybe worth a try... I love sipping my cuppa in the afternoons... As far as my decafe flatwhites -- will try to cut it out or at least down. Im about to start this cycle so definitely when doing injections I will try hard not to have coffee/choc etc. ------------- TTC 5 years Me 39 & DH 47 (antibodies and DNA frag issue) 1st/2nd/3rd ivf/icsi - Jan,Sept, Dec 09 4th ivf/icsi - May 10 bfn 5th ivf/icsi/tesa Dec 10 6th ivf/icsi/tesa. June 11 |
Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 27 May 2011 at 9:34pm
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All the best for your cycle mtjt. I'm sure the odd one won't hurt hun. Its hard to cut out things that we need when going through ivf on top of that.
Maybe you could try a little bit of white chocolate. Apart from the huge amount of sugar, its caffeine free ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: ItchyFeet
Date Posted: 27 May 2011 at 10:14pm
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I've been caffeine free for over two years, and probably won't go back to normal coffee. We were strictly told no caffeine either, and I would have tried anything at that stage, so if that was the medical advice, then I wouldn't go against it. We've managed two BFPs while caffeine free so maybe it helped. For me, it is the ritual of having a hot drink, not the caffeine that's important. With decaf, I can still go out, have a catchup with my friends, enjoy the ritual and taste of coffee, but without the caffeine and I certainly don't miss it. I drink latte so the milk fills me and I figure the calcium is good for me (and for during pregnancy). The only thing about decaf is you need to be a little fussier than regular coffee as it seems to be harder to find better quality, and also the last part of the drink can be quite bitter, depending on the brand and how it's made. I'm not a chocolate lover or green tea drinker.
ETA Also found hot chocolate great as a substitute drink, my colleague swore by half strength hot chocolates for her morning sickness after she went off coffee during pregnancy. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mtjt
Date Posted: 28 May 2011 at 11:14am
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hey tnanks Itchy Feet! both myself and DH have been drinking decafes - he has a decafe long black and I drink decafe flat whites or cappucinos normally.
I have been now drinking decafes for probably a year or so now! and DH has been for a few months. I would presume being decafe is way better and alot less caffeine - great news about your BFP's too!! very encouraging!! and the fact that you still had your hot decafe drink daily too!! 
I know what you mean about loving the "coffee" taste, and also going out for coffee with friends/clients/work collegues etc its nice to join in with a hot drink isnt it.. i find decafe really nice actually and no real difference to non-decafe. So looks like decafe is the way to go and is totally ok to have during the ivf cycle and preconception and also i would say during pregnancy too! ------------- TTC 5 years Me 39 & DH 47 (antibodies and DNA frag issue) 1st/2nd/3rd ivf/icsi - Jan,Sept, Dec 09 4th ivf/icsi - May 10 bfn 5th ivf/icsi/tesa Dec 10 6th ivf/icsi/tesa. June 11 |
Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 28 May 2011 at 12:38pm
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Great you have already switched to decafe mtjt. May be have a word to your doctor or nurses to and see what their opinion is. Some say decafe is fine and some don't. ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 29 May 2011 at 5:31pm
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My FA Dr told me at the first meeting that she wanted me to ditch all and any caffeine. I remember running into her in the street once and she told me off for having a takeaway coffee cup in hand (had to explain it was hot chocolate!). -------------   
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Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 29 May 2011 at 5:56pm
LOL Hopes I would have been freaking lol. I wasn't even allowed hot chocolate  , but I fell in love with Roses hot lemon drink ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: tischler
Date Posted: 29 May 2011 at 8:28pm
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Hey mtjt - I started decaf in January and then acupuncturist advised to avoid decaf as well so have been off that since March. I must say I am so sick of sweet hot drinks when I drink 'out' (which I do a lot socially) ... chai, hot chocolate - I just want a coffee!!! Not to worry, it's all for a good cause.
I have been told to reduce sugar but not to eliminate chocolate - that would be really really hard for me! Hopes - lol alright, imagine feeling like you're 'sprung'!! ------------- 5 IVF/ICSI Cycles - 10 embryo's, 8 transfers, all BFN's. Our journey to parenthood is over, and we join the unfortunate many for whom IVF does not work. |
Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 8:02am
Hey mtjt, I've read that decaf is even worse than caffeine, because to make it decaf they have to process the coffee beans using some chemicals  , and that's not at all natural to introduce to a TTC body. As ItchyFeet said, you need to be fussier with decaf to find a cafe that doesn't use harsh chemicals for their decafs, do some research!
DH and I both went off coffee around Feb. I had one hot choc since, otherwise it's just green and herbal teas. Hopefully you have found some other alternative that you might like to try from the other forum thread that we had on here recently. All the best for your upcoming cycle! ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: mtjt
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 8:28am
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hey girls...
What do i substitute decafe flat whites with when at cafe? Anyone know if chai lattes are caffiene free?? ------------- TTC 5 years Me 39 & DH 47 (antibodies and DNA frag issue) 1st/2nd/3rd ivf/icsi - Jan,Sept, Dec 09 4th ivf/icsi - May 10 bfn 5th ivf/icsi/tesa Dec 10 6th ivf/icsi/tesa. June 11 |
Posted By: Caronz
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 9:24am
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i usually get a hot choc at cafe now, its just easier, i used to work in a cafe and the coffee maker used to forget to use decafe all the time, but never told the customers!!! I buy water decafanated beans to have at home, that way I still get my daly coffee fix, Well sort of ------------- TTC since 06 with MFI IVF with ICSI 2007 BFN DI Sept 08=BFP DS 06/09 TTC #2 since June 2010 DI#2 Aug10=BFP MC@10weeks 2011= 10 rounds of DI 4 with clomid- all neg May 2012- IVF |
Posted By: trouble06
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 10:51am
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Hey all
My clinic told us to cut out coffee although only used to have 1 per day and DH 1-2. Doesnt help that my FS is a coffee addict and told DH coffee was okay!! During our 1st FET which wa unsuccessful we both had decaf coffees and over the past week since the miscarriage DH has cut out all coffee completely and reduced amount of tea we both drink - bless him. I am of the view that if you can then cut out coffee. I drink a lot of peppermint tea (caffiene free), jasmine tea and other herbal teas. I also agree re the decaf. If you go to a good barista they should be able to tell you how the decaf was treated and you want ones that are water not chemically treated. In the cafes in NZ esp in Wellington you can get hot lemon and ginger drinks which they mix with hot water. I adore these except cant buy the bottles from aussie. We are coming back over xmas so will stock up then. They are a good alternative to caffiene drnks in cafes. Way I looked at it was we are spending lots of $$$ on IVF and associated treatments eg acupunct so if you can by reducing things you are hopefully giving your body the best chance possible. ------------- Me 35 DH 40 IVF ISCI Nov BFN FET Jan 2011 Chem FET April 2011 M/C 7 weeks |
Posted By: ScaredyCat
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 12:16pm
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Hey mtjt, not sure about Chai lattes from cafes, but I did buy some from the supermarket and they do contain tea, so I presumed from that they contain caffeine. ------------- TTC # 1 - 7.5 years 2 x IVF - 4 x Trf 3 x BFP's 3 x M/c  Feb 09June 10Sept 11
2 Blasties on Ice
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 3:45pm
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Does anyone know why caffeine is such a no-no? From the little that I have read on the topic it can sometimes stop you from ovulating but what are the other issues it can cause?
I have around two cups of tea and one coffee a day and I'm not willing to quit without hard evidence! I know for a fact that I ovulate every cycle because I have blood tests done and I also got a BFP from a cycle with my regular caffeine consumption....why do specialists advise against it?
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Posted By: tischler
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 3:52pm
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Hi LuckyRed - oooh not long til your holiday! Nice!
From what I've gathered, mainly from acupuncturist, coffee has similar properties to those in our reproductive system and can effect how it 'works'. Interestingly though she is happy for me to have tea ... just no coffee. So much different info out there .... it's hard to know what to do or not to do. I'm almost at the stage of just thinking that it's purely a numbers game! I mean people get pg while eating badly, drinking, smoking, every which way .... However I've definitely optimised all I can, considering what we're forking out for IVF!! Chai's do have a level of caffeine (tea not coffee). ------------- 5 IVF/ICSI Cycles - 10 embryo's, 8 transfers, all BFN's. Our journey to parenthood is over, and we join the unfortunate many for whom IVF does not work. |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 4:13pm
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My specialist told me "it's a numbers game" as well and I tend to agree. I didn't do anything different the cycle I got my BFP so I'm just going with the flow until I'm told otherwise. I have a glass of sav every night as well
Tischler! How exciting you have an emby on board!!! I will be stalking you now
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Posted By: Hun
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 5:25pm
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Hey LR - hehe fair enough too, if you listen to everything you hear you'd have to go to some isolated desert island to get away from everything stopping us from conceiving!
I'm sooo addicted to coke zero its not funny so i had a big long search when deciding what to do about it. And basically there's been studies that show that ppl who consume caffeine have delayed conception, and other studies that don't. But looks like if there is an effect it is when you have more than 2-300mg/day. Soooo, depending on how strong your cofee is... you might slip under that amount. There's heaps of sites that have the caffeine content of different drinks etc on them, here's one: http://www.fertilinet.com/caffeine_and_fertility_pregnancy.htm Anyway, so up to you! I have cut down to 1 can a day, and think i might try to cut out more, but little steps i reckon! :) |
Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 10 June 2011 at 8:37am
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eh, I bought the Dandelion coffee compound. It's not that nice ah? How do you ladies drink it, with milk?
It's more like black tea, with quite a piculiar aftertaste..... Think I need to have quite a lot of it to get use to this taste...don't think i'll be buying another pack of it either....might just have to stick with various herbal teas! ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: ooligator
Date Posted: 10 June 2011 at 3:54pm
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Sunshine Wife, I agree on the dandelion coffee. I tried that and the first cup (which I had with a bit of milk) was ok, almost like regular coffee, but then after that it didn't really do it for me. It is a good liver cleanser though, so good if you want to detox a bit.
Regarding the caffeine, here's an excerpt from The Infertility Cure book. "Tea, especially green tea, is not as problematic as coffee. It contains about 20 percent less caffeine, and fewer volatile oils. Coffee constricts vessels while tea opens them. Green tea (and to a lesser extent black tea) has an antioxidant benefit coffee does not share. If you require assistance "revving up" in the morning, use green tea" From that I take that because coffee constricts the blood vessels, it's not good when TTC as you need to keep blood flowing freely throughout your whole body to feed the uterus. ------------- Me 38 DH 39 DD1 - 3 years, born prem at 30 weeks after 5 years TTC DD2 - born prem at 33 weeks http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: rachb
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 12:22pm
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Just a thought have you tried the Shott drinks? Theya have a really nice lemon & ginger drink.
Also I thought green tea had caffeine in it? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 5:13pm
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Ooh, that lemon and ginger Shott stuff is so good! I'd totally recommend it too - a bit pricey, though. -------------
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Posted By: trouble06
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 7:49pm
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Ditto on the shotts hot lemon and ginger drink - came back from short trip to NZ with 3 bottles of it hoepfully that will do me for a couple of months ... I dont think it is too pricy - around $11NZ or something at Moore and Wilsons. Unfort they dont sell it here in Melbourne. Have not even had decaf for 4 months now same as DH - he isnot allowed even a decaf until we get BFP - am I mean or what!! I drink either half strength hot chocolates and 1 cup of tea per day and also drink jasmine/peppermint tea whch I enjoy. ------------- Me 35 DH 40 IVF ISCI Nov BFN FET Jan 2011 Chem FET April 2011 M/C 7 weeks |
Posted By: Elpis
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 8:42pm
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I brought Shott Pssionfruit at Pak n Save for $9.00 today!!! ------------- Me 30, DH 31 1st IVF EC 04/04/2011 ET 08/04/2011 BFN FET 01/07/2011 BT 12/07/2011BFP!!!!! |
Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 9:50pm
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Rach, green tea has caffeine but a lot less than black or coffee , I think one or two cups a day is ok.
Never hear of this shott stuff, where do you buy it, do you drink it cold or hot? Will have to try! I'm off to tea and coffee lovers shop tomorrow, will get a variety of teas - greens and herbals, the have so many yummy flavors there! Oh and I bought spicy roibos tea today and thought it was very good too! ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |
Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 03 July 2011 at 5:47pm
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Oh I love the Shott stuff. I drank heaps of that during ivf. Was so nice to have that one drink that was super yummy and ok to have ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/545141" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: trouble06
Date Posted: 03 July 2011 at 9:06pm
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SW - I drink it hot. Add bit of the syrup to hot water - bliss. I now have 1-2 glasses of that per day and only 1 cup of tea daily.Mmm had 2 drinks of the stuff today.
You can also have the drink cold in summer and have used it before in marinades over meat - have a look on the website there are heaps of uses for the different flavours they have. Just as well I am coming back to NZ in December and have a large baggage allowance ... You can actually get it in NSW and QLD I think but at $19 per bottle cheaper to get it in NZ so equates to about $8AU I think. Also I have heard that green tea may interfere with folic acid - think it reduces its strength or something. Elpis - great score. BTW all the best for your 2WW - hope it goes very quick for you. I am also a fan of peppermint and jasmine tea as well. ------------- Me 35 DH 40 IVF ISCI Nov BFN FET Jan 2011 Chem FET April 2011 M/C 7 weeks |
Posted By: SunshineWife
Date Posted: 03 July 2011 at 9:32pm
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Thanks trouble, I had a look at the website, will have to keep an eye on this stuff next time I'm in the supermarket! I got four new herbals today, all sencha type teas one with berries, one with cherry, one with ginseng for DH (apparently it's a make hormone! Or hormone like, sort of like vitex or red raspberry for us girls) an sencha feijoa, they all smell so delicious!
I have stopped taking colic supplement for now, have taken it for over a year think I have plenty in my body now!!! Plus naturopath reckons I get enough of it from diet, will start taking the supplement again when we decide on the next ivf timing. But yeah I heard that green tea interferes with it so used to take folic early in the morning and then tea around 10.... ------------- Me 27, DH 25 (MFI) IVF + ICSI March '11 BFN and no frosties |