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How to Care for Your Body When Donating

You have just been chosen to be an egg donor and are about to embark on a journey to give someone the gift of parenthood! The process includes taking medications for about ten days that will grow your follicles and prime the eggs inside them. As with all medications, there can be some side effects including bloating and irritability. Below are a few tips and tricks to help ease the side effects, keep you on track, and expedite your recovery!

Diet

The medications can cause some water retention. Some fertility clinics suggest drinking about a liter of fluids a day. It is also better to drink fluids with electrolytes (think Pedialyte, Gatorade, or coconut water) instead of straight water. Eating more lean protein and less carbohydrates will also help aid in your recovery. We recommend increasing your protein diet as soon as you start stimulation medications. Lastly, because water intake is limited and protein consumption is increasing, it is important to eat more fibrous vegetables to help things move along smoothly. Be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Exercise

Think about your follicles as little, delicate water balloons. It is important to be gentle and protect your growing follicles against traumatic activities. These sorts of activities include anything that can result in an injury or a fall (ball sports, surfing, rock climbing, and even running). Once the injectable medications start, it is possible that your doctor may limit your exercise to light walking to none at all. The great rule of thumb is not to engage in any activity that would cause your ponytail to bounce. When in doubt, always ask!

Sleep

We all know how important getting a good nights sleep is BUT it is even more important while you are in cycle. We give our bodies the ability to repair, rebuild, and rest when we sleep. You body needs this time to respond adequately to the injectable hormones. Make sure you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep. Your body and mind will thank you!

Medication Reminder Apps

Many of the medications you will be taking are on a schedule, and it is important that they are taken at the same time everyday. There are several apps in the App Store that can make remembering to take your medications easier. Due: It is available for both iPhone and is $4.99 in the App Store. I love this app because you can set snooze reminders down to the minute. If you are the type of person, like me, who hits the “okay, I got it” button, but then forgets about it, this is the app for you. Medisafe: It is free and available for both iPhone (with Apple Watch compatibility) and Android. This app allows you to list your medication names, doses, and what days you need to take them. It also is able to track prescriptions and remind you to refill them if needed.

Get in Touch

We are always here to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to start your journey!