Maximizing our odds, chemical free, organic food

So I got a packet from our IVF treatment center and it goes over everything, from start to finish. Very useful information and one in particular. I remember talking to the nurse on the phone in regards to this but it was great to read it on paper. Its called "Maximizing your odds". Who wouldn't!? It goes over some very important steps to take before your IVF cycle.

Your physical condition could make the difference between successfully achieving a live birth and going through years of frustration of unfulfilled dreams. 

-Consume an abundance of essential fatty acids: (Need to eat more of this!)

Deep-sea fish and fish oil from non-polluted sources (PDF)

Flaxseed and pumpkin seed oils

Broccoli, cauliflower, beets, carrots, kale, collards, cabbage and brussel sprouts

Raw seeds

Eggs (no more than one a day on average)

-Eliminate or minimize intake of trans fatty acids (very important): (Didn't buy any of these foods!)

Fried foods (if you must have occasional fried food, use coconut oil only)

Vegetable shortening

Margarine

Lard

Animal fat

Hydrogenated vegetable oils

Junk food

-Vitamins (I need to buy vitamins, I was taking prenatals)

It is important that both partners take high-potency, high-quality natural multivitamins and mineral supplements of your choice purchased from a reputable source. The female partner must take a minimum of 1mg of Folic Acid a day. 

-Exercise (Starting walking tomorrow morning)

Unless you exercise regularly, several times a week, start daily walks (outdoors!) for a minimum of 45 minutes each. 

-Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Many everyday products off-gas VOC's. It is very important to minimize your exposure (both partners) to VOC's: 

Petroleum products (avoid car exhaust fumes and solvents, use disposable gloves when filling up your car) (I think Sarah is just going to have to pump my gas, LOL) Off-gassing from plastics and building materials (do not drive a new car when trying to conceive, do not remodel your home or buy a newly constructed house) 

No exposure to cigarette smoke (both partners)

Eliminate or minimize use of perfumes and colognes (unscented deodorant is ok). (Put a post-it-note to remind myself)

Do not dry-clean your clothes (I never dry-clean my clothes)

Eliminate air fresheners at home and in your car(s) (Took out all air fresheners)

Consider purchasing a VOC-scrubbing air purifier for your bedroom if you sleep with the windows closed (search internet for "voc air purifier")

-Fire Retardant Chemicals 

There is evidence that flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDBEs), can reduce fertility. Nearly all Americans tested had trace levels of flame retardants in their body. Try to minimize your exposure to flame retardants by using bedding and pajamas that are fire retardant free. 

-Smoking (Don't smoke, never have!!!)

You must not smoke. Cigarette smoking, including passive cigarette smoke exposure, has been shown to have a dramatic adverse effect on oocyte (egg) quality and could also decrease the male fertility potential. 

Smoking appears to accelerate the loss of eggs and reproductive function and may advance the time of menopause by several years. There is an increased risk of miscarriage and genetic abnormalities in offspring among smokers. 

-Stress (Need to stress less, working on it :)

Get plenty of sleep and try to minimize your everyday stresses. 

-Acupuncture (Started acupuncture two weeks ago)

It is ok to have acupuncture. 

-Chinese medicine 

It is ok to use Chinese herbs as long as they are for strengthening your health only and do not have any female hormone-like effect.

So after reading this list I started going through our house and getting  it "ready" as much as I can. I do think that change is one step at a time. I went grocery shopping and bought some groceries to add to what we already have. While there I bought unscented deodorant and fragrance and dye free glass cleaner, laundry soap, fabric softener, and toothpaste. Sarah thinks its a tad much and shes mad that our clothes wont smell like peach and mango, but I want to make sure we are as prepared as possible. When you dive in spending so much you want to do it right, right?

This is what $135.00 bought us in Organic food 

After putting away all the groceries we got to cleaning and getting the house ready for the week. Sundays are our clean, laundry, etc. day. So I cleaned with all the new products I bought. On my journey to stay clear away from scented cleaners I decided to make my own. I love vinegar and it has soooo many purposes so I mixed it with water and used it to clean around the house. So, the house is cleaned from top to bottom and I even moped our floors with our Shark steam cleaner, just add water! LOL

Alrighty, I think I might have written too much, Sarah wants dinner. So were off to cook dinner. At this point in the afternoon I want to eat everything in sight!!