How to prepare for IVF?

Embarking on a unique and exciting journey, such as having a child through IVF, requires knowledge and preparation. By choosing this promising path, you are taking a big step toward realizing your child’s dream. Being prepared on this path will help you start the treatment more calmly and increase your chances of success. Proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and the care of your mental health play an important role in improving your chances of success in IVF. With our tips, you can more confidently go through this hopeful path and soon open your arms to your beloved child. Stay with us until the end of this article to learn how to prepare yourself for the IVF process.

What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of assisted reproductive technology in which eggs and sperm are fertilized outside the body. The process begins with the maturation of eggs, which is stimulated by medication that enhances ovarian function. Once the eggs have matured, they are fertilized in a laboratory using sperm collected from the partner, forming embryos.

After fertilization, hormonal treatments are administered to prepare the mother’s uterus for embryo implantation. One or two embryos are then transferred into the uterus. If the uterus requires further preparation, the embryos can be frozen and implanted later. Additionally, when multiple embryos are created, any remaining embryos can be frozen for future attempts at achieving pregnancy.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is commonly used for couples facing infertility due to various reasons, including poor egg or sperm quality, blocked fallopian tubes, and ovulation issues. Additionally, IVF offers solutions for couples who cannot conceive because of significant problems with their eggs or sperm or who may not have either. In such cases, they can utilize donated eggs or sperm to create an embryo. Therefore, depending on individual circumstances, different sources can be employed to form an embryo during the IVF process.

• Your eggs and your partner’s sperm
• Your eggs and donor sperm
• Donor eggs and your partner’s sperm
• Donor embryos

Since the quality of both eggs and sperm significantly impacts the quality of the embryos formed, proper preparation before beginning the IVF process is crucial. Therefore, understanding the factors that can improve the quality of eggs and sperm is essential for enhancing the chances of success in IVF.

The success rate of IVF depends on various factors. The mother’s age is one of the most important factors influencing the success of IVF. So, up to the age of 35, the eggs have a more suitable number and quality for pregnancy, and with increasing age, the number and quality of eggs decrease and become more severe after age 40. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the live birth rate in women under 35 who have undergone IVF treatment is more than 40%. This rate decreases to less than 20% in women over 40. Learn more about tips to increase your chances of success in IVF: How to increase your chances of IVF success?

How is IVF performed?

IVF is a well-known and common method of treating infertility, which is a combination of medication, minimally invasive surgery, and laboratory techniques. This method can help fertilize the egg with sperm and improve the embryo’s implantation in the mother’s uterus. IVF involves five main steps:

• Ovulation Stimulation

One mature egg is typically released from the ovary during each menstrual cycle. However, in vitro fertilization (IVF) requires the retrieval of multiple eggs to enhance the likelihood of obtaining high-quality embryos. In the initial step, the doctor prescribes hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce several eggs. Throughout this process, the doctor carefully monitors the development of the eggs through regular blood tests and ultrasounds, determining the optimal time for egg retrieval.

• Egg Retrieval Process

After administering ovulation-stimulating medications, the follicles containing the eggs mature and prepare for release from the ovaries. At this stage, the doctor prescribes egg-releasing medications to be taken 36 hours before the egg retrieval procedure. This procedure is performed as an outpatient operation under light anesthesia. During the egg retrieval, the doctor uses ultrasound guidance to insert a special needle through the vaginal wall into the ovaries and follicles. The fluid inside the follicles containing the eggs is then extracted through the needle and collected in a laboratory container.

• Egg fertilization in the laboratory

After collecting the eggs, your partner must submit a sperm sample to the laboratory. The sperm sample is examined in the laboratory, and sperm with the right shape and mobility are selected to fertilize the egg. The eggs are exposed to sperm in a laboratory dish so that the sperm moves towards the egg and fertilizes it, forming an embryo. Sometimes, the ICSI method may be used in the laboratory to fertilize the egg. In this method, the embryologist injects a high-quality sperm into the egg to increase the chances of embryo formation.

When no sperm is found in a semen sample, or if the sperm quality is poor, a doctor may recommend a testicular biopsy. One standard procedure used to obtain a testicular tissue sample is testicular sperm extraction (TESE). This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, where the urologist removes a small piece of testicular tissue. The tissue is then examined under a microscope to collect high-quality sperm for potential fertilization with an egg.

• Embryo development examination

After formation, embryos must remain in special laboratory conditions for 3 to 5 days to examine their cell growth. To ensure cell division and proper development, the embryologist monitors them until they reach about eight cells. If the embryos require genetic testing or sex determination, a cell is separated from the embryo at this stage and tested for the necessary tests.

• Embryo transfer

Embryo transfer is the final step in the IVF process. In this step, the doctor transfers one or two healthy, high-quality embryos into the mother’s uterus using a thin catheter. Usually, anesthesia is not required for embryo transfer.

The uterus’s condition and readiness determine the timing of the embryo transfer. Typically, if the uterus is suitable for embryo implantation after egg retrieval, the transfer is performed five days after ovulation and embryo development. However, if many eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, the physician may recommend delaying the embryo transfer for two menstrual cycles. In such cases, the physician will prescribe medications to prepare the uterus for embryo implantation adequately.

When Is IVF the Right Choice?

IVF is among the most effective infertility treatments. Since IVF is an invasive and expensive procedure, other options, such as fertility medications or intrauterine insemination (IUI), are usually tried first in the infertility treatment process. If initial treatments with these methods are unsuccessful, your doctor may suggest IVF. Infertility issues that may necessitate IVF treatment include:

• Decreased fertility in women over 40
• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• Ovulation disorders and reduced ovarian function
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Male-related infertility, including low sperm count, motility issues, or abnormal shape
• Multifactorial infertility
• Infertility with unknown causes

In families with genetic problems, parents can use IVF to perform genetic testing on embryos to reduce the risk of passing on a genetic disorder to their children. In this method, a geneticist can test the embryos for genetic abnormalities in collaboration with an embryologist. Finally, the doctor transfers embryos that do not have genetic defects into the mother’s uterus. Also, if couples want to determine the sex of their child before pregnancy, they can use the IVF method and sex determination with the PGD technique.

In cases where pregnancy with a matched egg or sperm is not possible due to severe egg or sperm problems or menopause and azoospermia, doing IVF with donor egg or sperm can make the dream of having healthy children a reality.

Why is preparation for IVF important?

Preparing your body and staying calm are essential for improving your chances of success with IVF. The IVF process can be stressful, and many factors are beyond your control. However, being physically and mentally prepared will help you navigate the journey more comfortably and enhance the quality and health of your eggs and sperm.

Planning and preparing for IVF begins with a nutrient-rich diet that can enhance the quality of your eggs and sperm. A healthy lifestyle and using supplements can also positively influence the uterus, thereby increasing the chances of successful treatment. Remember to start adopting a nutritious diet at least three months before the IVF cycle, as it takes about 90 days for high-quality eggs and sperm to develop and mature. Regular exercise and physical activity improve overall health and raise the chances of success with IVF.

How to prepare your body for IVF?

Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight are essential for preparing your body for IVF. Below, we will explore several tips and techniques to help you prepare your body before starting IVF.

1. Follow a healthy and nutritious diet.

 Diet significantly influences fertility and IVF success. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is crucial to ensure the body receives all the necessary micronutrients.

The Mediterranean diet, which consists of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins, vitamins, and minerals, is ideal both before and during IVF. It helps to lower blood sugar and manage weight, enhances egg and sperm quality, and boosts fertility. Research has shown that a healthy diet improves the chances of live birth during assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF.

To prepare for IVF, you should avoid processed foods like ready-made meals, fast foods, and carbohydrates like white bread, sugar, and trans fats. Research has shown that these foods can negatively affect fertility and lead to various complications during pregnancy by increasing blood sugar, blood pressure, and the risk of obesity. Learn more about proper foods before IVF: What to eat before IVF and ICSI?

2. Take the proper supplements.

Getting all the nutrients needed through diet is not always possible. Therefore, doctors recommend that you start taking some supplements before getting pregnant and start the IVF cycle. Taking supplements at least 3 to 4 months before IVF can provide the nutrients needed to grow and strengthen eggs and sperm. Some good supplements include:

• Folic acid: Folic acid is one of the most essential dietary supplements. This nutrient helps develop the fetal neural tube, forms fetal DNA, and reduces the risk of miscarriage. You should take this supplement three months before pregnancy and continue until the 12th week.
• Vitamin C: This vitamin helps improve the quality of eggs and sperm due to its antioxidant properties.
• Vitamin D: This vitamin supports the production of sex hormones and increases the chances of treatment success.
• Omega 3: Omega 3 improves blood flow in the body and regulates the levels of sex hormones.
• Zinc and selenium: These nutrients improve sperm quality and reduce the risk of miscarriage.

Taking vitamins and supplements may improve IVF success and support pregnancy health. However, it is essential to consult your doctor before beginning any supplements. Learn more about the best vitamins and supplements to boost female fertility: What are the best supplements for female fertility?

3. Do not skip regular exercise.

Walking, yoga, swimming, and low-intensity workouts can help control weight, reduce stress, and enhance insulin sensitivity, improving fertility for both men and women.

Regular exercise during treatment is crucial for physical health; it also boosts blood circulation and balances hormone levels, creating optimal conditions for increasing the chances of IVF success.

Exercise according to the body’s needs and abilities while avoiding strenuous activities that may have the opposite effect. Regularly incorporating exercise into daily routine not only boosts physical and mental health, but research indicates that women who lead an active lifestyle during IVF and pregnancy are less likely to develop gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.

4. Get Enough Sleep

Insufficient and poor-quality sleep can adversely impact overall health and hormonal balance, decreasing fertility and the likelihood of successful embryo implantation. Therefore, obtaining adequate quality sleep is crucial for women preparing for IVF.

Research indicates that fertility hormone levels, including LH and FSH, are lower in women with poor sleep quality, whereas cortisol, the stress hormone, is elevated. Therefore, quality sleep is directly associated with improved chances of IVF success and a healthy pregnancy.

Creating a relaxing bedtime routine is beneficial for improving sleep quality. Reading, yoga, and meditation can help calm the mind. Additionally, reducing artificial light in the evening enhances the production of the sleep hormone (melatonin) and improves sleep quality. Sleeping between 7 and 8 hours a night is ideal for individuals undergoing IVF cycles.

5. Avoid alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption not only reduces the quality of sperm and eggs but can also negatively impact fetal development and lower the chances of IVF success. Studies indicate that alcohol intake in women diminishes the likelihood of embryo implantation in the uterus and increases the risk of miscarriage by two to three times. Furthermore, excessive drinking in men can damage sperm DNA and decrease fertility. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from alcohol consumption while preparing for IVF and during the treatment process.

6. Limit caffeine intake.

 While moderate caffeine consumption is safe for most people, excessive intake can negatively impact fertility. Some studies indicate that high caffeine consumption may affect the quality of eggs released during ovulation. Additionally, high caffeine intake raises the risk of miscarriage. Therefore, limiting caffeine consumption to no more than two cups of coffee or tea per day in preparation for IVF is advisable.

7. Avoid Smoking and Harmful Chemicals

It is crucial to refrain from smoking and harmful chemicals when trying to conceive, particularly before beginning an IVF cycle. Research indicates that smoking can significantly lower fertility rates and adversely impact egg and sperm quality. Both smoking and exposure to environmental toxins can diminish embryo quality and render the uterine environment unfavorable for embryo implantation.

When trying to conceive, especially before starting an IVF cycle, it is crucial to avoid smoking and harmful chemicals. Research indicates that smoking can significantly lower fertility rates and adversely impact egg and sperm quality. Both smoking and exposure to environmental toxins can diminish embryo quality and create an unsuitable uterine environment for embryo implantation.

Smoking not only harms female fertility but also negatively impacts sperm quality and fertility in men. Quitting smoking two to three months before trying to conceive can enhance sperm quantity and quality. A rise in the number of healthy, motile sperm is one of the positive outcomes of quitting smoking for men. Learn more about the effect of smoking on fertility: How does smoking affect fertility in men and women?

8. Take care of mental health.

 Fertility issues can significantly affect a couple’s mental well-being. Research shows that approximately 50% of couples experiencing infertility struggle with feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. Therefore, before beginning the IVF process, it is crucial to recognize emotions, be truthful about them, and seek professional support and counseling if necessary. Speaking to God, practicing meditation and yoga, and fostering positive thinking can help alleviate stress and boost the chances of IVF success.

What medical preparations are needed before IVF?

 Improving lifestyle choices and maintaining a calm, positive mindset can strengthen the body and enhance the quality of eggs and sperm in preparation for IVF. In addition to physical and mental preparation, it is crucial to research reputable infertility specialists and centers before starting an IVF cycle. Choosing the right specialist and experienced doctor can help accurately and promptly diagnose the cause of infertility, allowing for appropriate and effective treatment methods. Moreover, selecting a modern and well-equipped treatment center can increase the chances of a successful outcome.

It is also essential to conduct examinations and ultrasounds to evaluate the condition of the ovaries and uterus and to assess the quality and quantity of eggs. Men also undergo sperm tests to analyze the quality and count of sperm. These tests assist the doctor in determining the most effective fertility treatment method and enhancing the chances of successful IVF.

What to Consider Before Starting an IVF Cycle?

When preparing for IVF, it is crucial to research and plan for the costs and time involved in the treatment. The expenses for IVF can vary depending on the treatment center, doctor, medications used, and any additional treatments that may be necessary. Therefore, before starting the process, it is advisable to speak with the doctor and treatment center to understand the treatment path and associated costs.

Before IVF is performed, several initial tests are necessary to evaluate the couple’s fertility status and overall health. These tests include blood work to assess thyroid function, sex hormone levels, and screenings for infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.

Summary Preparation before IVF

 The IVF journey can be challenging, but preparing for IVF can enhance the chances of success. Getting the body and mind ready for IVF is a comprehensive process that includes maintaining a balanced diet, taking appropriate supplements, engaging in regular exercise, caring for mental health, and avoiding alcohol and smoking. Making thoughtful lifestyle changes and staying calm will support you throughout the IVF process and help you achieve your goal of becoming a parent. Before starting treatment, strive to learn enough about the IVF process, ask the doctor any questions, and approach the treatment calmly and with preparation. Remember that every step taken to prepare for IVF brings you closer to the goal of having a child. For more information on the necessary preparations before IVF, you can contact.

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How to Prepare Your Body for IVF