That first cup of coffee can feel like salvation—the ritual, the aroma, being functional again. Maybe you sneak another at lunch, or reach for a maté soda (the carbonated soft drink made from yerba maté) to power through the 3 p.m. slump. You’re not alone. But if you’re trying to conceive, freeze eggs, or are prepping for IVF, how much (and when) you drink caffeine may matter more than you think.
We are surprised we have gone this far in the course without mentioning mindfulness, but alas it could not be avoided. The point of this article is not to get you to swear off coffee during the build up to conception, egg freezing or IVF, but rather to be cognizant of when and how much of your daily coffee ritual can best play nicely with your fertility goals.