How to Prepare for IVF

If you have a problem conceiving, it could be a case of infertility. This may be hard to accept, but fortunately, you can get help through Vitro fertilization.

Many factors come into play with trying to have a child. It is important to give yourself the best chance for success through the assisted reproductive technology of IVF.

Here is how to prepare for IVF:

1. Maintain a healthy weight before IVF

Living within a healthy weight is what we all should strive for, especially when you are getting ready for IVF. It is difficult to properly monitor ovaries and maintain ideal hormone levels, whether overweight or underweight.

Some clinics have guidelines for your BMI and may not accept you as a patient until it is between 20 and 30. A normal weight for your body type will also help produce mature, viable eggs. Either way, maintaining a healthy body will increase your chances of success in a fertility clinic.

2. Upgrade your diet.

Eating a clean diet will help you manage your weight and give you vital nutrients like vitamins and minerals and protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Pick foods that enhance your fertility like leafy greens, fruits and colourful veggies, avocados, beans, eggs, and whole grains.

However, stay away from processed foods and those with high sugar and hydrogenated fats. Most of us know what healthy food is, so be vigilant while leading up to your IVF treatments.

3. Exercise

Exercise is another recommended good habit for those pursuing IVF. Your goal should be to do activities that increase your heart rate every day. This could be brisk walking, swimming, going to the gym or working out at home.

Shoot for 30 minutes per day minimum. This will help lower your blood pressure and promote general health while improving your chances of IVF.

4. Stop smoking

Most of these recommendations apply to everyone that wants to improve their health. Smoking is an addictive habit that is hard to shake, but when you have a worthy goal like trying to have a child, it will help motivate you beyond the cravings. Tobacco negatively affects egg and sperm quality, so both partners should quit smoking together.

Vaping is the inhalation of nicotine and flavourings. While it is not burning and produce smoke, it still affects a woman’s fertility through delayed egg production and reduced sperm count in men. Marijuana can disrupt a woman’s ovulation, affect the implantation of an embryo and increase the chance of a miscarriage.

It is best to steer clear of all inhalants while going through IVF.

5. Limit coffee

Some studies show drinking too much coffee can affect your chances of conceiving through IVF by up to 50%. Keep it to under 3 cups per day and monitor caffeine intake from other sources.

Better yet, reach for water to hydrate yourself and eat an apple first thing in the morning if you need help waking up.

6. Cut back on alcohol

Alcohol is another drink you should cut back on or abstain from when preparing for IVF. Studies have shown that having four or more drinks per week before an IVF cycle puts you at a much higher risk of failed fertilization and a lower chance of a successful live birth.

This should be enough reason to turn away from the spirits altogether. It is also recommended to stop all alcohol use three months before starting your treatments and no drinking during pregnancy.

7. Take supplements

A healthy lifestyle includes supplements to ensure you get the recommended vitamins every day. For IVF, it is a no-brainer because you want your body to be as healthy as possible.

Start with a high-quality multi-vitamin and add additional supplements like DHEA and CoQ10 as they positively impact egg quality. Vitamin D helps with IVF treatment and folic acid before and during your cycle.

Your doctor will have recommendations for supplements you should take, so follow their advice. They know what it takes for you to be successful.

8. Practice relaxation technics

When your body is under stress, negative hormones flow, disrupt your bodily functions, and produce inflammation. When undergoing IVF treatment, you need to be at peace to increase your fertilization success. There are several technics you can use, including:

• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Mindfulness
• Deep Breathing
• Yoga
• Meditation

Work on being present and letting go of any stress you have in your daily life. This could be trauma from the past or fear of the future. Do your best to live in the moment and be joyful about your current life.

IVF is a big undertaking that requires preparation to be successful. Use this to prepare yourself for your upcoming treatments, successful pregnancy, and birth.