Foods to Avoid After Embryo Transfer

Infertility is on the rise. According to a study, around one in every 15 Indian couples is infertile. Assisted reproductive technology is a boon for infertile couples. Over the years, ART has helped millions of couples around the world conceive. Some types of ART procedures include IVF, frozen embryo transfer, and zygote intrafallopian transfer.

Embryo transfer is a crucial step in ART procedures. Studies show that diet can influence ART success rates after embryo transfer. It’s important that women add healthy foods that improve reproductive health to their diet and steer clear of the following foods and drinks after embryo transfer to increase their chances of getting pregnant.

Processed and Junk Foods

Processed foods contain unhealthy trans-fat-considered the worst type of fat, sugar, and artificial additives. They are laden with empty calories and can trigger inflammation, which can lead to implantation failure. Junk foods can cause a hormonal imbalance, affecting estrogen and progesterone (the main pregnancy hormones) levels, affecting a woman’s odds of getting pregnant after embryo transfer.

High-Mercury Fish

Mercury can affect progesterone and estrogen levels, leading to a thin uterine lining- a common cause of implantation failure. It can cause oxidative stress and chromosomal abnormalities, affecting egg quality. Poor egg quality reduces the chances of a successful implantation. The toxic metal can cause inflammation and lead to immune dysregulation. As a result, the uterine lining becomes less receptive to an embryo.

Unpasteurised Dairy Products

Unpasteurised dairy products may contain Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes an infection known as listeria infection. Even a mild infection can affect the uterine environment, leading to implantation failure. Some types of bacteria found in raw, unpasteurised dairy can affect the receptivity of the uterine lining, making it difficult for an embryo to implant.

Foods and Drinks with Caffeine

Women should cut back on caffeine after embryo transfer as too much caffeine (more than 200 mg/day) can affect blood flow to the uterus, lowering the chances of a successful implantation. Studies show that high doses of caffeine can affect estrogen and progesterone levels and increase stress hormone levels, creating an unfavourable environment for embryo implantation.

Alcohol

Research suggests that alcohol can make the uterine lining less receptive to an embryo and reduce blood flow to the uterus. It can cause a hormonal imbalance, and lead to inflammation or oxidative stress, affecting a woman’s chances of getting pregnant after embryo transfer.

Raw or Undercooked Foods

Raw or undercooked foods can cause a foodborne illness, which can lead to inflammation. As a result, the body may reject the embryo after it is transferred into the uterus. Some foodborne infections can cause high fever, diarrhea, blood clotting disorders, and other health issues that can increase the risk of implantation failure.

Soy Products

Soy nuts, natto, miso, soybean sprouts, and other soy products are rich sources of phytoestrogens, a type of plant estrogen, that may have a similar effect on the female body as estrogen. If a woman eats too much soy after embryo transfer, phytoestrogens can interact with estrogen receptors, leading to a hormonal imbalance. When a woman’s hormones are out of whack, their endometrial lining becomes less receptive to an embryo. Large amounts of soy can lead to an imbalanced immune response, negatively impacting the chances of implantation success.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can cause a whole host of problems that can lead to implantation failure. Typical examples include uterine contractions, inflammation, a hormonal imbalance, and stress. To increase the odds of a successful implantation, women should prefer easily digestible, high-fiber foods (that improve and reset gut health) over spicy foods after embryo transfer.

What to Eat Instead?

The following foods can help create a healthy uterine environment after embryo transfer, increasing the odds of successful embryo implantation.

• High-protein foods- Such as beans, lentils, and eggs can balance hormones, improve blood flow to the uterus, and reduce inflammation
• Foods high in healthy fats- Including avocados, fatty fish, nuts, and chia seeds stabilize blood sugar levels, improve egg quality, prevent/reduce inflammation, and thicken the uterine lining, helping create an ideal environment for implantation
• Anti-inflammatory foods-Such as leafy greens, berries, and turmeric can, in addition to helping the body fight inflammation, improve endometrial receptivity and blood flow to the uterus
• Foods rich in complex carbohydrates- Sweet potatoes, whole grain, legumes, and other foods rich in high-quality complex carbs can improve gut health, regulate progesterone levels, and increase blood flow to the uterus
• Foods that boost fertility- Foods containing nutrients that improve fertility (such as vitamin D and iron) can increase the thickness of the uterine lining, boost the immune system, and make the uterine lining more receptive

Conclusion

A healthy diet can significantly increase the chances of implantation success after embryo transfer. Women should work with their dietician to create a balanced, healthy diet comprising nutrient-rich foods that helps create an ideal implantation environment. They must avoid foods that promote inflammation, follow their doctor’s instructions, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to increase their chances of getting pregnant.