• Can IVF help after multiple miscarriages? IVF may help some couples after recurrent miscarriage, particularly when investigations identify a possible cause of pregnancy loss or when embryo testing may be appropriate.
• Why might IVF be recommended after miscarriage? IVF allows embryos to be created in the laboratory and, in some cases, assessed using techniques like PGT-A.
• Can IVF prevent miscarriage? IVF cannot guarantee a successful pregnancy or prevent all miscarriages, but personalised treatment may help some couples improve their chances.
• What tests are available after recurrent miscarriage? Investigations may include ultrasound scans, blood tests, chromosome testing and other assessments to look for possible causes of pregnancy loss.
• Is IVF right after multiple miscarriages? This depends on your individual circumstances, including your age, fertility history, previous pregnancy losses and investigation results.
• Where can I get support after recurrent miscarriage? A specialist fertility clinic can help you understand possible causes, discuss treatment options and provide personalised guidance.

• Chromosome abnormalities in embryos
• Problems affecting the structure of the uterus
• Blood clotting conditions
• Hormonal or thyroid-related factors
• Genetic factors affecting either partner
• Other medical or fertility-related factors

• Thyroid disorders
• Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
• Thrombophilia (blood clotting conditions)
• Genetic problems (such as chromosomal rearrangements) of the male or female partner, which may lead to chromosomal rearrangements of the pregnancy, leading to miscarriages.

• Your age
• Egg quality and ovarian reserve
• Sperm quality
• Embryo development
• Uterine health
• Results of previous investigations
• Whether additional treatments such as PGT-A are appropriate

• Myth: Online forums claim the high sodium content absorbs excess fluid in the body, thickening the uterine lining and creating the perfect "sticky" environment for the embryo.
• The reality: The origin is unclear, possibly what started as a medical recommendation and has ended up in fertility folklore.  Supposedly it is because the high salt content helps the body absorb excess fluid and ward off ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is a painful and serious complication where fluid leaks into the abdomen. The salt would help put fluid back into the blood stream; though there's no scientific evidence behind it.
• Verdict: Eating salty fries doesn’t do anything medically to help an embryo attach to the uterus. But if this ritual is giving women hope and comfort at a time of high levels of stress, then keep eating the fries.

• Myth: The internet says women should cut a pineapple into five horizontal rings, core included and eat one slice a day from transfer day to thin the blood and boost blood flow to the uterus.
• The reality: This superstition stems from an enzyme called bromelain, which is found in high concentrations in the core of a pineapple. While bromelain acts as a mild anti-inflammatory agent, there is no clinical evidence that eating it improves implantation rates. But eating the core can irritate your stomach and cause severe mouth ulcers and acid reflux.
• Verdict: Eat pineapple if you like it, but you could just be left with a sore mouth.

• Myth: Millions of embryo transfer posts feature women on the clinic table wearing matching, brightly coloured socks. Traditional Chinese medicine says "warm feet, warm womb”; the idea being that the body's major energy channels linked to the kidney, liver, and spleen originate in the soles of the feet, so warming them warms the uterus.
• The reality: There is no scientific evidence that warm feet or special socks influence implantation or embryo transfer success; uterine blood flow is not affected by whether your feet are covered or cold. The uterus is deep inside the body's core and its temperature and blood supply are regulated independently of surface skin temperature at the extremities; a warm sock doesn't reach it. What warm socks can do is make a cold clinic room more comfortable, and reducing physical discomfort or anxiety in the moment is a real, if modest and non-uterine-specific, effect on how relaxed you feel.
• Verdict: Keep the lucky socks. There isn't much science behind the tradition, but none of these small rituals will harm you, and comfort and a sense of control during a stressful procedure are legitimate benefits, even without any direct effect on implantation.

• Myth: Fertility influencers insist that drinking 8 oz of 100% pomegranate juice every day from the start of an IVF cycle until the day of embryo transfer acts as an internal super glue. Online forums claim it drastically thickens a thin uterine lining by flooding the body with nitric oxide.
• The reality: Pomegranate juice is a great nutritious choice, but it isn’t an instant fix. They are packed with powerful antioxidants and polyphenols, and they do naturally stimulate nitric oxide production, which helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. However, drinking cartons of it right before a transfer will not fix a thin or unresponsive uterine lining. Also, shop-bought pomegranate juice is high in free sugars so drinking large amounts can raise insulin levels, which can trigger inflammation.
• Verdict: Enjoy a small glass or eat the seeds as a good way of getting antioxidants into your diet but treat it like a daily health habit rather than a medical necessity.

• Myth: Having acupuncture sessions immediately before and after embryo transfer can stop the uterus rejecting the embryo.
• The reality: Acupuncture can help by reducing stress, relaxes the central nervous system and enhancing uterine blood flow, with some studies showing modest benefits. However, the timings of the actual treatment don’t need to be rigid.
• Verdict: Recommended. If acupuncture helps you feel relaxed, it can be a valuable complementary therapy during IVF treatment. The key is that it should reduce stress, not add to it, so don't feel pressured into squeezing in appointments if they end up causing more anxiety than benefit.

• Myth: Many online forums recommend drinking a glass of bright red beetroot juice every day from embryo transfer until the pregnancy test as it thickens your uterine lining and forces the embryo to implant.
• The reality: There is real clinical[1] data after tracking hundreds of women undergoing embryo transfers. The group who drank the daily juice made of beetroot, watermelon, and ginger from transfer day until their pregnancy test saw their clinical pregnancy rates jump significantly compared to the control group. Beetroot is packed with natural nitrates so when you drink it, these get converted into nitric oxide, which is a powerful vasodilator, meaning it relaxes and widens your blood vessels. This increases the flow of oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood straight to your uterus, which supports a healthy, receptive endometrial lining. The watermelon added to the juice in the study provides L-citrulline (which also boosts nitric oxide), and the ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory to relax uterine muscles.
• Verdict: Of the popular IVF rituals, this is the one with actual randomized clinical data behind it. It is worth discussing with your doctor, but it's early-stage evidence so not a guarantee and shouldn't replace medical guidance.

• AMH Testing: A blood test measuring Anti-Müllerian Hormone to estimate your remaining egg supply (ovarian reserve).
• Antral Follicle Count (AFC): A routine ultrasound to view your active follicles in real-time.

Why is PCOS being renamed to PMOS?

• Insulin resistance and how the body processes sugar
• Hormonal fluctuations and ovulatory function
• Weight management and metabolic rate
• Long-term cardiovascular health risks

PCOS vs. PMOS: Our stance at Herts & Essex Fertility Centre

Frequently asked questions about the PMOS name change