No S and Infertility

No Snacks, no sweets, no seconds. Except on Days that start with S. Too simple for you? Simple is why it works. Look here for questions, introductions, support, success stories.

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Sinnie
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No S and Infertility

Post by Sinnie » Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:16 pm

Hey everyone,

I guess this is more off-topic, but I'm looking for any thoughts or advice on No S and infertility. I have been struggling to get pregnant for over a year. This immense stress has caused me to not care about my eating habits - I mean, I care deeply, but my focus is elsewhere.

I'm wondering if anyone out there has any advice for me. Do you think following No S is still good right now? Should I be more focused on nutrition? The more I read and research, the more confused I become and more anxious I get. I also habitually overeat/snack/binge.

I don't know what to do. Should I be following a different plan?

Help?
Thanks.

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Blithe Morning
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Post by Blithe Morning » Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:43 pm

I'm not an infertility specialist nor do I play one on the internet. However, I don't think the stress can be helping your cause any.

I would find ways of positively dealing with the stress because anything you do to reinforce a pattern of binging/snacking/overeating is that much harder to break later on. Don't focus on the habits as much as finding those things that help you cope. If it really does turn out that a snack or sweet helps you cope, then so be it. But there are probably other things that will help more. My personal coping mechanisms are getting outside, stretching, exercise, eating good food, and tidying up. I just do better in a tidy environment. Easy on the sweets, caffeine, and alcohol although in small amounts they do make life more enjoyable.

And there is no judgement here. I had an unsettling day yesterday. Lots of uncertainty. I ate all three Valentine's Day cookies my hubby made me as well some Girl Scout cookies as well as sunflower kernels. Guess what. It didn't make things any more certain. Mark it and move on.

leafy_greens
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Post by leafy_greens » Thu Feb 14, 2013 2:08 pm

Maybe you are taking your stress out on food and need to find another outlet. Binge eating only leads to more harsh feelings towards yourself.

wosnes
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Post by wosnes » Thu Feb 14, 2013 2:44 pm

Like Blithe Morning said, I'm not an infertility specialist nor do I play one on the internet. I'm not a nutritionist or dietitian, either. I am an RN -- but I've never worked in any gynecological speciality.

I'm not sure that how you eat (No-S habits, for instance) is as important as what you eat.

I suspect that all of the processed foods that are such a large part of our diets could be a factor in this and many other health issues. We're not supposed to eat chemicals.

I don't think you need to concentrate on nutrition necessarily, but eating real foods. I don't think you have to eat organic foods, nor do I think you have to avoid refined products (white flour products, white rice, sugar). I don't think you need any specific eating plan at all.

Just my 2¢ worth.
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do. Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed but our power to do it is increased." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."

Nicest of the Damned
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Post by Nicest of the Damned » Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:18 pm

I can tell you from personal experience that being on No S will not prevent you from getting pregnant.

Obsessing over your eating habits or nutrition is not required to get pregnant.

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Girl Next Door
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Post by Girl Next Door » Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:35 pm

Sinnie,

I'm sorry that you are going through this. I think you should stick with No-S and it can help you in two ways:

1) When going through tough, uncertain times routines can provide structure and stability for you. Three meals per day can provide a great structure and a stable way to help organize your day. You can focus your decision-making energy elsewhere.

2) There is a possibility that eating too often could have a negative effect on hormones. You can read Mastering Leptin by Byron Richards to learn more about this idea. While he doesn't list a direct causal link between infertility and eating too often, I personally believe that all the hormones are related (ie, female hormones do not operate in a vacuum away from all the other hormones), and if your hormones are messed up in one area it disturbs the balance in all areas. I believe this because I dealt with IF for a long period of time, and during that time tried to educate myself as much as I could.

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more, or would like some support.
Girl Next Door
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~reneew
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Post by ~reneew » Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:26 pm

My thoughts: NoS causes less stress because its sane worry free eating the right way and you'll be eating healthier. Plus plus.
I guess this doesn't work unless you actually do it.
Please pray for me

Sinnie
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Post by Sinnie » Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:33 pm

So many kind, thoughtful responses. I'm in a deep depression over this. I figure there must be something I can do to help myself with this issue, and there is SO MUCH information out there on diet and fertility, and of course, it conflicts. So I end up just being lost. It frustrates me to no end.

Thanks for your ideas and comments. I appreciate them all.

Minkymoo
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Post by Minkymoo » Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:39 pm

I think that, barring any medical issues, stress might be your number one enemy here. That said, it's hard to avoid stress when it's taking a long time to conceive (actually I'm in the same place right now).

I honestly don't believe that any food will help anyone to conceive (except maybe aphrodisiac food!) although I agree with other posters who have suggested that real food as opposed to manufactured products will nourish your body the best. And the old chestnut of trying to be a healthy weight and avoiding alcohol.

I wish you all the best, and please try not to worry too much!

Sinnie
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Post by Sinnie » Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:17 am

Minkymoo, your sentiments exactly echoed that of my husband tonight. He convinced me that no special food, miracle pregnancy diet, juice fasts or whatever people on the internet say worked for them will make a difference. He said the only thing that makes me different from average is my ability to worry so much. I've always been like this. But maybe THAT'S what I need to work. Food for thought.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Feb 15, 2013 5:05 am

The people of France and Italy mostly eat three meals and I've never heard that they have any issues with fertility. They do eat mostly fresh, unprocessed foods, though I'm pretty sure they eat white flour bread and pasta. As far as I know, the women also don't regard pregnancy as a time to eat anything less than the quality they are used to. (Though wine and unpasteurized cheeses are on the no-no list.)

You have every incentive to eat as moderately and sanely as possible. I have found that No S has served to get me through some of the most stressful times of my life in the last three years. Three moderate meals a day has been great therapy for me. I hope it helps you.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

ironchef
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Post by ironchef » Fri Feb 15, 2013 6:12 am

Minkymoo wrote:I honestly don't believe that any food will help anyone to conceive (except maybe aphrodisiac food!)
Absolutely agree. The only thing I would add is that folate is important in early pregnancy (often even before you know you're pregnant). The doctor at Family Planning got me to take a folate supplement while trying and during the first trimester. Other than that, our doctor told me "don't worry, the baby will take what it needs!".

I would suggest stepping away from googling - I had to do that while I was TTC and pregnant, as there was so much conflicting information, plus scary things that stressed me out. Do you have a health care professional you trust? I used to write down lists of questions to take with to my midwife appointments, so that I would remember everything I wanted to ask about. I'm sure she thought I was a worry wart, but it helped me.

Best wishes to you and your DH, I know what a weird, stressful time this can be.

Nicest of the Damned
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Post by Nicest of the Damned » Fri Feb 15, 2013 4:21 pm

ironchef wrote:
Minkymoo wrote:I honestly don't believe that any food will help anyone to conceive (except maybe aphrodisiac food!)
Absolutely agree. The only thing I would add is that folate is important in early pregnancy (often even before you know you're pregnant). The doctor at Family Planning got me to take a folate supplement while trying and during the first trimester. Other than that, our doctor told me "don't worry, the baby will take what it needs!".
Take a prenatal vitamin. Avoid the obvious stuff, like smoking and too much alcohol. But you already knew all that stuff.

One food you might want to avoid is fish that is high in mercury. The highest mercury fish are swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel. Tuna is also high. I quit eating tuna and mackerel when I started TTC, and plan to keep avoiding them until I finish breastfeeding. I avoid all mackerel because I don't know if it is king mackerel or not. I keep kosher, so I never ate swordfish or shark. I had never seen tilefish for sale before I was pregnant. I see it now, but I'm not planning to try it, because it is high in mercury. I'm looking forward to my first post-breastfeeding trip to the sushi bar...

Here is a chart from the FDA with levels of mercury in fish:

http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/prod ... 115644.htm

Thalia
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Post by Thalia » Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:14 pm

I had a very hard time conceiving -- it took us two years and it was incredibly distressing and upsetting for me. I second everyone; your diet probably has very little to do with it. Also, I firmly believe that stress does not cause infertility, but infertility surely causes stress. I wish you the best of luck and a happy outcome! My own happy outcome is 11 now.

The Internet is full of wacky assertions about fertility, and a big heaping helping of "let's blame infertile women for screwing themselves up." Usually there's a mechanical problem of some kind that has nothing to do with anyone's bad attitude or moral failings -- human reproductive systems are complicated, lots of ways they can malfunction or even just be not-quite-optimal in ways that make it take a long time to conceive or require a little help to get there. Funny how the Internet is not blaming your husband's diet and so forth! Half of infertility issues are male-factor, but as a society we just love to find ways to scold women.

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oldpathsmom
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Post by oldpathsmom » Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:18 pm

I doubt it has anything to do wight your diet. It took us a year-and-a-half with our first. If you don't already have a copy, I highly recommend Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler.
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

Sinnie
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Post by Sinnie » Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:20 pm

Wow - the No S Diet Board comes through again - you people are simply awesome. You have no idea what relief I get from reading these responses. Hearing your own stories is very nice and uplifting, letting me know I'm not the only one. Thalia, your point about the complicated nature of fertility really made me feel better. I used to think that if it hasn't happened for one year, what makes the next year any different? But as you said, if things are just a little off, it may take extra time. Patience, patience...

Thalia
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Post by Thalia » Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:22 am

I'm glad it's helpful! We had a very mild male factor (his sperm count was borderline), and that was probably our problem, but we never found out for sure. Taking Charge of Your Fertility is great for maximizing your chances, but if you don't actually HAVE fertility it's not super-helpful and a trip to a fertility specialist is a good idea.

Sinnie
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Post by Sinnie » Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:44 am

Yes, I am going to a fertility clinic. All seems normal on both our ends so it's confusing (I only ovulate late). Just trying to relax and believe it will happen in its own good time.

jellybeans01
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Post by jellybeans01 » Tue Feb 19, 2013 5:59 pm

stress and overweight can cause problems. I have been no sing since my second baby and am expecting number 5.

vmsurbat
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Post by vmsurbat » Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:56 pm

jellybeans01 wrote:stress and overweight can cause problems. I have been no sing since my second baby and am expecting number 5.
Congratulations! I started NoSing 10 years after baby number 5!
Vicki in MNE
7! Yrs. with Vanilla NoS, down 55+lb, happily maintaining and still loving it!

Sinnie
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Post by Sinnie » Wed Feb 20, 2013 12:32 am

Congrats Jellybean!

Well, I didn't have stress until time kept passing and no pregnancy achieved...and I'm not overweight - I've held steady at 120lbs or lower for years.

wosnes
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Post by wosnes » Thu Feb 21, 2013 5:10 pm

I read this yesterday in Bébé Day by Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting:
Pamela Druckerman wrote:Calm Is Better for the Baby
If you're not persuaded to be calm for your own sake, do it for your unborn child. French pregnancy magazines say that the fetus senses his mother's moods. He's jolted by too much stress, and soothed when pleasure hormones cross the placenta. Experts urge pregnant women to reduce worry by discussing their concerns with a doctor or therapist and by pampering themselves with pedicures, romantic nights out, and lunch with friends. In the French telling, the resulting zen maman pops out a zen bébé, and a calm pregnancy sets the tone for calm parenting.
I'm sure that staying calm before pregnancy helps, too.
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do. Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed but our power to do it is increased." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."

Sinnie
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Post by Sinnie » Fri May 03, 2013 4:12 pm

I just wanted to update this thread with some very positive news.

I'M PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course, I'm over the moon. After almost a year and a half of infertility, it's unreal. It's still extremely early on, but felt I should let you know in case anyone who read this thread also dealing with the same thing could find hope and encouragement.

wosnes
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Post by wosnes » Fri May 03, 2013 5:22 pm

Congratulations, Sinnie!
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do. Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed but our power to do it is increased." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri May 03, 2013 6:00 pm

How wonderful for you!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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thepowerofcheese
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Post by thepowerofcheese » Fri May 03, 2013 7:54 pm

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I hope you have a joyous pregnancy!

Minkymoo
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Post by Minkymoo » Fri May 03, 2013 8:51 pm

Wonderful news!!! Congratulations :-)

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Post by vmsurbat » Fri May 03, 2013 9:07 pm

Sinnie wrote:I just wanted to update this thread with some very positive news.

I'M PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! So very happy for you all. :D
Vicki in MNE
7! Yrs. with Vanilla NoS, down 55+lb, happily maintaining and still loving it!

Thalia
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Post by Thalia » Fri May 03, 2013 9:11 pm

Sinnie, that's wonderful! Congratulations! You have just embarked on the adventure of a lifetime! :D

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Post by Eeyore » Fri May 03, 2013 11:10 pm

Congratulations!!!! **sniff sniff**

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Post by emmay » Sat May 04, 2013 4:17 am

Congratulations!!! I fell pregnant for the first time while I was following No S back in 2006. As soon as it happened, I didn't care about diet/weight anymore so I disappeared from the boards for a few years (had a different user name then). The nausea I experienced in the early months seemed to be kept at bay by frequent snacking, so I would have had great trouble trying to stay on No S anyway. I do wish I had come back here sooner though, instead of trying other diets.

Sinnie
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Post by Sinnie » Sun May 05, 2013 12:21 pm

Oh everybody, thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful wishes. I am so happy, so relieved, so excited, so everything!!! I feel like a completely new person, seriously. I feel physically so good, but I'm sure it will change as the weeks progress... :)

tobiasmom
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Yay

Post by tobiasmom » Sun May 05, 2013 12:51 pm

So so excited for you!! Congrats!

Cantab
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Thanks for the follow up

Post by Cantab » Thu May 09, 2013 4:48 pm

So glad for you. And also glad to see others' responses, or at least the encouraging ones.

In case this is helpful to others: the resources I'm most grateful for are the Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant, which gives updated stats for chances of pregnancy over age 35 and says that stress does not cause infertility (and yes everything in the book is peer-reviewed); my Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor; the Toni Wechsler book; and my digital thermometer which lets me predict when I'm going to get my period. There's also a book called Fertility Foods, written by an MD, that says that control of insulin can help, and advises moderate exercise (30 minutes 5 times a week) and a moderate-to-low-carb diet, and I've been doing that.

My husband and I have been trying since our wedding 8 months ago. My mother took just 1 month to conceive at age 33, so I had an unrealistic expectation that I might get pregnant that first month, and in fact my period was over a week late that first month and I totally thought that I was pregnant.

Over age 35, the advice is to see a reproductive endocrinologist (RE) after 6 months. We've done some blood tests with an RE, and so far everything is normal. I went to a gynecologist who said to be careful to have sex every day when the fertility monitor tells us to, and advised giving it the summer before further tests, so I was glad for that. I might still do the HSG (an imaging procedure which has the side-effect of increased chances of conception) in a couple months rather than waiting for a full year before being officially infertile.

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Post by gratefuldeb67 » Fri May 10, 2013 1:25 am

congratulations sinnie :D
There is no Wisdom greater than Kindness

ironchef
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Post by ironchef » Fri May 10, 2013 7:53 am

So pleased to see this update - congratulations!

Sinnie
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Post by Sinnie » Sat May 11, 2013 12:42 am

Oh thank you guys :D I really am so happy. Still early, and praying nothing goes wrong. I believe in my heart it will be fine!

Cantab, your advice is solid. I've seen some of those books myself. I wish you the best of luck. It will happen.

Cantab
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Post by Cantab » Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:10 pm

[quote="Sinnie"]
Cantab, your advice is solid. I've seen some of those books myself. I wish you the best of luck. It will happen.[/quote]

Thanks! I ended up getting pregnant after 15 months. Not so long, but we had to be proactive due to our ages. My husband had low morphology and low testosterone so was given Clomid --- that's right, the man gets Clomid. Clomid takes 3 months to work because that's how long it takes to make sperm.

In month 14, we did our first intervention --- IVF, to avoid twins, and transferred 1 embryo and froze 4 --- and it didn't take. In month 15, we had the month off, and I had an SSH (imaging procedure). They told me which day I would ovulate during the imaging procedure, so we had sex the 3 days before, and I got pregnant. The doctors call it a "spontaneous pregnancy."

That was a year ago, and now I have a ravenous 3 month old on my lap and a 35 inch waist.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Thu Dec 11, 2014 7:06 am

And worth it, I bet you'd say.

Three meals a day and your new life in between! French and Italian women do it all the time.

What a Christmas this will be!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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bonnieUK
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Post by bonnieUK » Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:29 pm

Congratulations on your baby! :)

I'm 35 and was having issues with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), something that helped me get my cycle back was to let go of my desires to be athletically thin and just relax a bit about weight (I had to allow myself to eat to my full appetite rather than trying to force myself to eat less than I really wanted) - I gained a little weight and that seemed to improve my hormones and fertility. Worth it, because my little one is due in just over 3 weeks :)

owlface
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Post by owlface » Fri Jan 09, 2015 5:00 pm

Wow! Congrats!
01NOV2014
OPEN

prettysparklies
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Post by prettysparklies » Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:40 pm

:D :D How wonderful! :D :D Congratulations!!!

My DH and I are trying for our second right now. I hope No S helps me to not gain 50 pounds like the last baby! I'm still 30 lbs up from when I first got pregnant 3 years ago! :shock: But following this plan has already helped me lose a little consistently for the past two weeks.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Jan 09, 2015 9:10 pm

Gaining a lot of weight during pregnancy seems to be rather cultural. Some cultures know that babies grow well even when mothers eat very moderately during pregnancy; there's little danger you will eat too little. Though it's not considered smart to traditionally diet, it is okay if eating moderately of good quality food has the body drawing on its reserves to round out the energy needs. The baby will very likely get first crack at everything!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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