01/12/2020
Intralipids & Infertility
What are they? How do they work?
Should I try them if I am unable to get pregnant or suffering reoccurring miscarriages?
INTRALIPIDS ARE
A sterile fat emulsion used as a source of calories and essential fatty acids. The infusion is made up of 20% soybean oil, 1.2% egg yolk phospholipids and 2.25% glycerin. It’s essentially pure fat and given as a slow intravenous infusion mixed with saline
I had to get my first infusion within 72 hours of a confirmed pregnancy and then the infusions would be administered fortnightly until I was 14 weeks along. My infusions would last anywhere from 2.5 - 4 hours. You also need a prescription from your doctor 👩🏼⚕️
WHY INTRALIPIDS?
There is an emerging role for sterile fat emulsion infusions in the management of subfertility and infertility. Evidence suggests women who suffer from recurrent miscarriages or implantation failure when undertaking IVF, may in fact be suffering the effects of an overactive component of the immune system: natural killer cells. It’s believed natural killer cells may attack eggs, s***m and even a developing embryos. This can result in difficulty achieving pregnancy, maintaining the pregnancy and repeated miscarriages
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE NATURAL KILLER CELLS?
I was tested for natural killer cells in 2015 and it was horrifically painful. It only lasts about 1 minute, but it’s worth doing to get answers. Essentially a catheter is inserted inside your uterus and then they scrape your uterine lining, removing chunks of tissue which can then be tested. It’s exactly as pleasant as it sounds. If you’re undergoing surgery for a laparoscopy/ egg collection / hystercopy etc, I would recommend having it while done under anaesthetic
SHOULD I LOOK INTO IT?
Yes- especially if you’re struggling with infertility, recurrent miscarriages or implantation failure with IVF!
I wanted to share this with you all because you never know who might need to hear it, thus changing their entire infertility journey forever. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!
Erica x