In – Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can be demanding both physically and emotionally to every individual. However, there are steps that you can take to prepare yourself for IVF journey and maximize your chances of a successful, healthy pregnancy.

While IVF is not an exact science and no one can guarantee that your cycle will have the desired outcome, going into IVF as prepared as you can gives yourself the best possible chance of success. Ideally a minimum of 3 – 6 months of preparation time is needed before starting the IVF cycle. However, even if you have less than this, any preparation is better than no preparation at all.

Before starting with IVF, you can prepare your body for treatment in the following ways:

Having a healthy balanced diet

A diet that is low in fat and high in protein, iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium is good if you are starting IVF. Foods that are considered especially good for boosting fertility are eggs, nuts, beans, fish and whole grains. Avoiding foods high in sugar and processed foods is advisable.

Starting with prenatal vitamins

Egg/ova quality in female is one of the most crucial factors of an IVF cycle and can make the major difference. Therefore, starting with prenatal vitamins especially folic acid prior to and during the IVF cycle is very important.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Being underweight or overweight can seriously affect your chances of IVF being successful. Therefore, a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index) is important. A BMI of between 20 – 30 is generally acceptable.

Quitting or decreasing intake of alcohol, smoking and other recreational drugs

It is a proven fact that nicotine can age ovaries and also make eggs resistant to fertilization and the damage it can do to an unborn fetus if IVF is successful, is unpredictable. Consuming alcohol during an IVF cycle has been known to reduce the chances of it being successful by 50%. Therefore, it should be completely avoided prior to and during IVF.

Reducing or eliminating caffeine intake

A high intake of caffeine can also have an adverse impact on an IVF cycle. Therefore, it is best to avoid or limit yourself to a maximum of 2 cups of coffee per day.

Avoiding stress

Getting plenty of rest and trying some relaxation techniques like meditation, mindfulness or simply just breathing exercises help a lot in reducing stress. An IVF cycle is a very stressful, worrying and physically demanding process and it is easier said than done to keep stress as low as possible.

Most of the times, the fear and anxiety that comes with IVF is usually due to uncertainty about the process and the potential side effects of treatment. So, it is helpful if you educate yourself about the procedure before starting IVF as this helps you to be better prepared.

We at Fertility Foundation/ SISU Hospital understand that fertility treatment can be a complex process. So don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you have any questions about the IVF process or would like to start your IVF journey with us at +9194433 00000 or visit www.sisuhospitals.com.