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IVF and immune system
Three years ago, I became pregnant following a second attempt at IVF and had a beautiful baby boy. Prior to this, I had always been fit and healthy. However, since the birth, I have been plagued by all kinds of illnesses including numerous colds, sore throats and shingles. I want to undergo IVF again and wondered if I should do something to boost my immune system ready for another pregnancy. I already take aloe vera juice and a probiotic daily.
The problem with taking both herbal and nutritional supplements when you are planning a baby is that we have very little clinical research on possible contraindications in pregnancy and so tend to always err on the side of caution. That said, you can carry on taking both the aloe vera and the probiotic (which I assume you take to maintain healthy digestion) and, indeed, the probiotic will go some way towards supporting your immune system which is clearly struggling to ward off the everyday ailments you have been succumbing to.
Reading between the lines, it appears you have a concern that the IVF procedure itself, (and the fact that you had two attempts in rapid succession), has taken its toll on your immune system and so instead of taking pot luck with supplementation and immune-boosting I would suggest you consult a qualified practitioner who not only has experience of pre- and post-pregnancy but also the more invasive procedures such as IVF.
If you adopt an holistic approach to wellbeing and health, then it does make sense that the IVF you underwent will have had an impact on your body; not least because for it to work, and as you will have already experienced, the fertility drugs that are used effectively slams the body into menopause before cranking your hormones up again.
I would suggest consulting with a homeopath whose prescribing will also address the considerable emotional stress that such a procedure, never mind a pregnancy and having a baby will have engendered and, if you can travel to London, the practitioner I recommend is Dr Neil Slade (PhD) who has an excellent track record in this area of expertise.
Dr Slade has two London clinics, one in Southfields and one in Bond Street. An initial consultation is £60; follow-ups are £50. There may be additional costs if tests are required. To make an appointment at either clinic 020-8543-7948.