Mystery "ingredient"?

Hubs and I feel like we have one specific person who we can thank for the rest of our lives for our current state of bliss...Cousin J. Cousin J. and her hubs, Cousin K. had also been trying to get pregnant during the same period as us and going through the same hurdles as us. They were a huge support system for us and guided us through the process. This support includes a late night call to re-instruct us before we did our first muscular injection of the HCG, as well as a trip to Salem, MA for a fertility spell!

Thankfully, Cousins J. and K. were blessed and will be welcoming Baby Cousin K. into the world on December 31st. Cousin J. had started a new diet instructed by one of her doctors. This diet would help to eliminate foods that she is sensitive to, GLUTEN, being one of these "ingredients". Cousin J. eliminated this product from her diet, and subsequently Baby Cousin K. started to grow in her belly.

Cousin J. suggested after our fourth unsuccessful IUI that the following month we may try taking GLUTEN out of our diets. Honestly, knowing that it worked for them and plus being at a point where you are pretty much willing to try anything, Hubs and I were both on board.

I started to do some research on GLUTEN sensitivities and how it affects fertility. Apparently, when you have a GLUTEN sensitivity, your body develops antibodies to fight off to GLUTEN in your body. Those antibodies then attack the sperm that enters your body, or in a male sensitivity attacks their sperm "bank". Once the sperm is attacked, it pretty much does not have a chance of making it to the egg.

I was shocked and appalled that infertility doctors do not discuss this with their patients. Dr. H still does not know that I have removed gluten from my diet. Joe and I stopped eating GLUTEN on July 12th, 2009. On August 11th, 2009, 12 days after our 5th IUI, we were told we were pregnant. We full heartedly believe that our GLUTEN free lifestyle was a strong contributing factor in our success.

Just a side note as well, living GLUTEN-free has made us feel much better. We have much more energy and do not have a constant bloated feeling any longer.

More to come in the coming months on GLUTEN-free living for infertility. Cousin J. and I have discussed leading a GLUTEN-free movement for infertility. Unfortunately, we feel as though the word has not made its way to everyone yet and we plan to do something about it!