Tips to Prepare for Fertility Treatment

Most Important Tips to Prepare for Fertility Treatment

Over 80% of the time, fertility drugs can stimulate ovulation—fertility treatments are being done now more than ever. Current technology offers fertility treatments to make pregnancy a reality for many couples who would otherwise struggle. Fertility treatments are a highly involved process and can be both emotionally and physically taxing. However, certain things can help you prepare for fertility treatments to alleviate stress and increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.

7 Tips to prepare for fertility treatments

• Quit unhealthy habits - When starting fertility treatments, quit smoking, drinking, and staying up late to help prepare your body for a pregnancy while increasing the chances of getting pregnant.
• Maintain a healthy weight - Being overweight can affect pregnancy. Excess weight increases the risk of a miscarriage and can affect outcome with in vitro fertilization procedure (IVF). A high BMI also affects the safety of undergoing anesthesia or sedation, which is necessary with IVF.
• Eat a balanced diet - Eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help you maintain a good weight while building up nutrition for better overall health.
• Get quality sleep - Sleep is crucial for cellular repair, maintaining stress levels, and essential for fertility. Set a goal of getting between 7/ 9 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Maintain stress levels- Stress can hurt the chances of successful fertility. Seek ways to maintain stress during this process. Try things like acupuncture, walking, journaling, and meditating to decrease anxiety.
• Change workout routines - Exercise is great for increasing fertility. Replacing running and extreme exercising like bodybuilding to a gentler routine. Yoga, walking, swimming, hiking, and biking are wonderful ways to get gentle exercise during fertility treatments and pregnancy.
• Begin taking a prenatal vitamin - It is recommended to increase nutrients during fertility treatments. Prenatal vitamins are an excellent choice to ensure the body has enough folic acid, which aids in developing the brain and spinal cord during pregnancy. Please discuss with your doctor what prenatal vitamins they recommend.

Prepare for Fertility Treatment

A Guide to the IVF Process

what is IVF?

Thinking about overcoming infertility with in vitro fertilization (IVF)? Here’s how it works, plus everything you need to know about the IFV timeline, injections, side effects and more.

 

About one in eight American couples struggle with infertility, or the inability to conceive despite having regular unprotected sex. As a solution, increasing numbers of people are turning to in vitro fertilization (IVF), a procedure in which surgically-removed eggs are fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, then inserted directly into the uterus.

About 5% of all children born in the United States were conceived through IVF, says Amy Schutt, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist at the Family Fertility Center at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. That equates to more than one million total babies. If you’re seeking to get pregnant through IVF, it’s important to understand the success rates, method, and possible side effects. Here’s all you need to know about IVF before signing up for the procedure.

 

• Who Gets IVF Procedure?

Infertility has a wide range of causes in both women and men. Treatment usually involves correcting the underlying problem with medication or surgery. But sometimes conventional treatment proves difficult, and couples turn to assisted contraception methods like IVF instead. For example, women with fallopian tube blockage often opt for IVF; since the fertilized egg is inserted directly into the uterus during the procedure, the tubes aren’t necessary for conception. Similarly, IVF procedure is common if the man has low sperm count (oligospermia) or a lack of sperm in ejaculate (azoospermia).

• Not every woman suffering from infertility is a candidate for IVF. According to Dr. Schutt, patients should think twice about IVF if they have premature ovarian failure or a serious medical problem that precludes pregnancy. Religious beliefs and financial constraints may also deter women from undergoing the procedure (the average cost of IVF is $12,000, plus an additional $3,000-5,000 for necessary medications). What’s more, women who don’t produce eggs – whether because of menopause or another condition – can’t undergo IVF unless they use a donor or frozen eggs, according to Dr. Timothy Hickman, the medical director of CCRM Houston and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Houston Methodist Hospital.

IVF Process: How is IVF Done?

“IVF involves handling of both eggs and sperm within the laboratory to allow for the fertilization of eggs and early development of embryos,” says Dr. Schutt. To prepare for IVF, a woman takes injectable fertility medications for approximately 10 days, during which the growth of her eggs is closely monitored. “When the eggs are ready to be collected (about 14 days later), the woman takes one final HCG injection that assists in maturation of the eggs – and 36 hours afterwards, the eggs are collected from the ovary,” says Dr. Schutt. Doctors use a narrow needle, suction device, and ultrasound imaging to retrieve the eggs. This IVF process usually involves anesthesia or sedation to relieve pain.

Next, the embryologist places the collected eggs on a Petri dish. She combines the eggs with sperm taken from the male in a process called insemination. If the sperm has low motility (impaired movement) the embryologist may insert sperm directly into the eggs (ICSI).The fertilized eggs, or embryos, are stored for three to seven days. "If genetic testing (chromosomal defect screening that lets you see the sex of the embryo) is to be performed, then the embryo is biopsied between the fifth and seventh day of development," adds Dr. Schutt. Note that some clinics allow you to choose the sex during genetic testing, while others do not. 

Finally, doctors transplant one or more embryos into the uterus with a catheter. Implantation – and subsequent pregnancy – usually takes place one or two weeks later.

 

IVF Success Rate

According to Dr. Schutt, the success rate of IVF depends largely on egg quality and quantity. “Egg quality is primarily a reflection of the age of the woman from which the eggs are obtained. The younger a woman is when she goes through IVF, the greater chance her eggs will potentially result in a healthy pregnancy,” she says. “Egg quantity is more variable, and it’s measured via ultrasound (to count the number of antral follicles) and lab work,” including blood tests. Other factors that affect IVF success include weight, alcohol intake, and tobacco use. 

 

IVF Side Effcts

Most women who undergo IVF don’t have any symptoms, but possible IVF side effects include:

• Cramping
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Clear or bloody fluid, which comes from the vagina in small amounts
• Mood swings
• Constipation

Some women also experience side effects from the hormonal injections they take before IVF. These include headaches, abdominal pain, mood swings, bloating, hot flashes, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – a rare condition that occurs from excess egg production. Symptoms are weight gain, abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Consult your doctor if you think you developed OHSS – or if you experience other worrisome side effects of IVF like heavy vaginal bleeding or excessive pain.

 

A Guide to the IVF Process

How does IVF work

IVF is a common treatment for people who are unable to conceive naturally

Usually in IVF, the woman has medicines (fertility hormones) to stimulate the ovaries to produce several eggs. The eggs are then collected and mixed with sperm in a laboratory.

IVF is carried out when the sperm quality is considered to be ‘normal’ If there are issues with the sperm quality such as low motility or numbers, a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may instead be used – this is where a single sperm is injected into the egg by an embryologist

If fertilisation is successful, the embryos are allowed to develop for between two and six days. This helps the embryologist to select the strongest embryo, which is then transferred back to the woman’s womb to hopefully continue to a successful birth.

Often several good quality embryos will be created. In these cases, it's normally best practice to freeze the remaining embryos because putting two embryos back in the womb increases your chance of having twins or triplets, which carries health risks. You can use your frozen embryos later on if your first cycle is unsuccessful or you want to try for another baby.

What does IVF involve?

This process outlines a single cycle of IVF following the most commonly used procedure. You may find that your treatment is slightly different depending on your history and what your clinic thinks is best for you.

• Usually, the first step is to use medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. There are different ways this can be done. One way is to suppress natural hormones before taking hormone medication to stimulate the ovaries. This treatment, often called a long protocol, involves taking a daily injection or nasal spray to suppress hormone production. A scan checks the woman’s natural cycle is fully suppressed. If it is, hormone treatment (usually gonadotrophin) is started to boost the number of eggs the body produces.
• Some clinics may use the ‘antagonist protocol’. This involves taking medication (an antagonist) to suppress your hormones for a few days after you have taken the hormone medication (usually gonadotrophin) to boost the number of eggs the body produces.
• Whichever way the ovaries are stimulated to produce eggs, you will be closely monitored for a few days by the clinic. This may involve having blood tests or ultrasound scans.
• The eggs will be collected whilst under sedation or general anaesthetic. The procedure takes around half an hour and you may feel a little sore or bruised.
• Whilst the eggs are being collected, the man will be asked to come to the clinic to produce a sperm sample, or your donor sperm will be taken from the freezer, for mixing with your eggs.
• Medication will help to prepare the lining of the womb. This is usually taken as a pessary or gel which you can insert yourself into the vagina / rectum.
• The eggs will be mixed with the sperm in a laboratory. The aim is for the eggs and sperm to fertilise to create an embryo.
• If fertilisation happens, the resulting embryo(s), will be monitored to check how it’s/they’re developing.
• Two to five days after fertilisation, the embryo(s) will be transferred to the womb. You won’t need any kind of anaesthetic for this unless you have a condition that would make the procedure painful. You’ll be given a date to do a pregnancy test. Although you’ll understandably be excited at this stage, try not to do this early as you may get a false result.

What to eat during IVF

 

During an IVF cycle, focus on eating healthy, balanced meals. Don’t make any major or significant changes during this time, like going gluten-free if you weren’t already.

 

Doctors recommend a Mediterranean-style diet. Its plant-based, colorful foundation should provide the positive nutrition your body needs.

 

In fact, research shows that a Mediterranean diet may improve the IVF success rate among women who are under 35 years old and who don’t have overweight or obesity.

 

While the study was small, eating a healthy diet during the weeks leading up to the cycle certainly doesn’t hurt.

Since diet also affects sperm health, encourage your partner to stick to the Mediterranean diet with you.

Here are easy ways to revamp your nutrition with the Mediterranean diet:

 

• Fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Choose lean proteins, like fish and poultry.
• Eat whole grains, like quinoa, farro, and whole grain pasta.
• Add in legumes, including beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
• Switch to low-fat dairy products.
• Eat healthy fats, such as avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, and seeds.
• Avoid red meat, sugar, refined grains, and other highly processed foods.
• Cut out salt. Flavor food with herbs and spices instead.

What to eat during IVF

Preparation tips for IVF

IVF treatment is beneficial for those who are experiencing infertility. Infertility is a term that is used to define the inability of a couple to conceive a baby naturally. This treatment is additionally known as In-Vitro Fertilization, so to get this treatment, you have to visit the IVF centers.

 

Here are certain ways to prepare your body for the IVF procedure.

• Eat fertility-enhancing foods
• Reduce stress
• Take your vitamins
• Improve sleep
• Quit smoking and drinking

Well, the preparation for IVF depends on the time. In this article, you will read how to prepare according to different time periods.

 

If You have 3 to 6 Months to Prepare for IVF

If you are planning to get IVF treatment after 3 or 6 months, then you have enough time to prepare your body for IVF. In addition to this, you will surely get the best results after the preparation of 3 months, because follicles or eggs take almost 3 months to mature. You may not know the quality of egg matters a lot, also give you positive results. In this time period, you have to talk to the doctor and get proper information about everything related to IVF preparation.

 

If You Have 1-2 Months to prepare for IVF treatment.

Quit smoking and drinking

If you are planning to undergo IVF within the next 2 months, then you have to stop smoking as well as limit your alcohol consumption. Since nicotine is too harmful to your ovaries and makes you unable to produce healthy eggs.

Take your vitamins

Along with this, you also need to take care of your nutrition too. You must take your vitamins properly for better and healthy pregnancy too. So, you must take high-quality prenatal supplements, these will help you to produce healthy eggs and will surely improve your body’s fertile environment. You have to start taking these supplements 2 months before trying to conceive a baby.

Must go with fertility improving foods

Yes, it is necessary to eat fertility-enhancing foods, so that you can simply conceive a baby without any problem. Essential foods include-:

• Royal jelly
• eggs
• sprouts
• fish roe
• seeds
• nettles
• nuts
• seaweed
• oats
• algae
• bone marrow
• caviar
• artichokes
• goji berries
• raw milk
• flax seeds
• oysters
• pollen

 

If You have only 2 Weeks to Prepare for IVF.

Improve sleep

In this condition, you have to take proper rest and sleep which contributes to sex hormones, ovulation, and sperm production too. Only adequate sleep matters a lot, so you have to take care of your sleeping habits.

Reduce stress

Taking too much stress may lead you to hormonal problems and makes you unable to produce healthy eggs. So, you must try breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation to reduce stress.

 

IVF preparation

How prepare for IVF?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology provide information online about U.S. clinics' individual pregnancy and live birth rates.

When choosing an in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic, keep in mind that a clinic's success rate depends on many factors, such as patients' ages and medical issues, as well as the clinic's treatment population and treatment approaches. Ask for detailed information about the costs associated with each step of the procedure.

 

Before beginning a cycle of IVF using your own eggs and sperm, you and your partner will likely need various screenings, including:

• Ovarian reserve testing. To determine the quantity and quality of your eggs, your doctor might test the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (estrogen), and anti-mullerian hormone in your blood during the first few days of your menstrual cycle. Test results often used together with an ultrasound of your ovaries, can help predict how your ovaries will respond to fertility medication.
• Semen analysis. If not done as part of your initial fertility evaluation, your doctor will conduct a semen analysis shortly before the start of an IVF treatment cycle.
• Infectious disease screening. You and your partner will both be screened for infectious diseases, including HIV.
• Practice (mock) embryo transfer. Your doctor might conduct a mock embryo transfer to determine the depth of your uterine cavity and the technique most likely to successfully place the embryos into your uterus.
• Uterine exam. Your doctor will examine the inside lining of the uterus before you start IVF. This might involve a sono hysterography — in which fluid is injected through the cervix into your uterus — and an ultrasound to create images of your uterine cavity. Or it might include a hysteroscopy — in which a thin, flexible, lighted telescope (hysteroscope) is inserted through your vagina and cervix into your uterus.

Before beginning a cycle of IVF, consider important questions, including:

• How many embryos will be transferred? The number of embryos transferred is typically based on age and the number of eggs retrieved. Since the rate of implantation is lower for older women, more embryos are usually transferred — except for women using donor eggs or genetically tested embryos. Most doctors follow specific guidelines to prevent higher-order multiple pregnancies — triplets or more — and in some countries, legislation limits the number of embryos that can be transferred. Make sure you and your doctor agree on the number of embryos that will be transferred before the transfer procedure.
• What will you do with any extra embryos? Extra embryos can be frozen and stored for future use for several years. Not all embryos will survive the freezing and thawing process, although most will. Cryopreservation can make future cycles of IVF less expensive and less invasive. Or, you might be able to donate unused frozen embryos to another couple or a research facility. You might also choose to discard unused embryos.
• How will you handle a multiple pregnancies? If more than one embryo is transferred to your uterus, IVF can result in multiple pregnancy — which poses health risks for you and your babies. In some cases, the fetal reduction can be used to help a woman deliver fewer babies with lower health risks. Pursuing fetal reduction, however, is a major decision with ethical, emotional, and psychological consequences.
• Have you considered the potential complications associated with using donor eggs, sperm or embryos, or a gestational carrier? A trained counselor with expertise in donor issues can help you understand the concerns, such as the legal rights of the donor. You may also need an attorney to file court papers to help you become legal parents of an implanted embryo.

 How prepare for IVF?

Why IVF is done

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a treatment for infertility or genetic problems. If IVF is performed to treat infertility, you and your partner might be able to try less-invasive treatment options before attempting IVF, including fertility drugs to increase the production of eggs or intrauterine insemination — a procedure in which sperm are placed directly in your uterus near the time of ovulation.

Sometimes, IVF is offered as a primary treatment for infertility in women over age 40. IVF can also be done if you have certain health conditions. For example, IVF may be an option if you or your partner has:

• Fallopian tube damage or blockage. Fallopian tube damage or blockage makes it difficult for an egg to be fertilized or for an embryo to travel to the uterus.
• Ovulation disorders. If ovulation is infrequent or absent, fewer eggs are available for fertilization.
• Endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when the uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus — often affecting the function of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes.
• Uterine fibroids. Fibroids are benign tumors in the wall of the uterus and are common in women in their 30s and 40s. Fibroids can interfere with the implantation of the fertilized egg.
• Previous tubal sterilization or removal. If you've had a tubal ligation — a type of sterilization in which your fallopian tubes are cut or blocked to permanently prevent pregnancy — and want to conceive, IVF may be an alternative to tubal ligation reversal.
• Impaired sperm production or function. Below-average sperm concentration, weak movement of sperm (poor mobility), or abnormalities in sperm size and shape can make it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg. If semen abnormalities are found, your partner might need to see a specialist determine if there are correctable problems or underlying health concerns.
• Unexplained infertility. Unexplained infertility means no cause of infertility has been found despite evaluation for common causes.
• A genetic disorder. If you or your partner are at risk of passing on a genetic disorder to your child, you may be candidates for preimplantation genetic testing — a procedure that involves IVF. After the eggs are harvested and fertilized, they're screened for certain genetic problems, although not all genetic problems can be found. Embryos that don't contain identified problems can be transferred to the uterus.
• Fertility preservation for cancer or other health conditions. If you're about to start cancer treatment — such as radiation or chemotherapy — that could harm your fertility, IVF for fertility preservation may be an option. Women can have eggs harvested from their ovaries and frozen in an unfertilized state for later use. Or the eggs can be fertilized and frozen as embryos for future use.

Women who don't have a functional uterus or for whom pregnancy poses a serious health risk might choose IVF using another person to carry the pregnancy (gestational carrier). In this case, the woman's eggs are fertilized with sperm, but the resulting embryos are placed in the gestational carrier's uterus.

Why IVF is done

IVF success factors

Considering in IVF Then it’s important to learn about IVF success factors that can help or hinder your getting pregnant.

 

 

IVF Success Factor 1 – Age

Your age and using your own eggs are important IVF success factors to consider. While younger women have higher chances of IVF success, factors that reduce the chances of IVF success include being an older womanwith fewer eggs and the lower quality of an older woman’s eggs.

In fact, the live birth IVF success rate for women under 35 who start an IVF cycle is 40 percent. However, women over age 42 have a 4 percent success rate.

 

IVF Success Factor 2 – Previous pregnancy

 

More IVF success factors to think about include whether or not you were pregnant previously and if it was with the same partner.

If you were pregnant previously with the same partner that’s currently undergoing IVF treatment, there is a greater probability of IVF success. Factors such as a history of recurrent miscarriage or a different partner may reduce the chances of IVF success.

 

 

IVF Success Factor 3 – Type of fertility problems

While some male infertility problems do impact IVF success, factors like uterine abnormalities, exposure to DES or fibroid tumors also decrease the likelihood of success with IVF.

Very important to know: IVF success factors are dependent on ovulation. Ovarian dysfunction, like high FSH levels which indicate a low ovarian reserve, may reduce the chances of IVF success.  Factors that may lower pregnancy rates and reduce success with IVF include needing large amounts of ovulation stimulation drugs.

When both partners are infertile with lower chances for IVF success, factors such as the length of time you have been infertile is important to consider. The chances of IVF success decrease with the amount of time a couple has been infertile.

 

 

IVF Success Factor 4 – Use of donor eggs

Donor eggs are a significant consideration, especially if you are over 35-40, as there may be a higher rate of IVF success. Factors such as egg quality and age of donor are important. Using donor eggs from younger women may increase the chances of pregnancy for women over 40. 2011 findings show a 55 percent live birth success rate with a fresh donor egg/embryo transfer.

 

 

IVF Success Factor 5 – Lifestyle habits

Stop smoking if you want to improve your chance of having a baby. In fact, many times the woman is required to stop smoking at least 3 months before starting IVF treatment.

• Smokers require higher dosages of fertility drugs to stimulate their ovaries
• Smokers have lower implantation rates than nonsmokers
• Women who smoke require almost twice as many IVF attempts
• Women who smoke experience more failed fertilization cycles

More IVF success factors to mull over include losing weight if you are overweight or obese. Women who are overweight have an increased risk of infertility as well as miscarriage. Overweight women also have less IVF success with fertility treatments than women of normal weight. Underweight women are also at greater risk of having success with IVF. Bottom line: aim to stay within a healthy weight range.

 

 

IVF Success Factor 6 – Fertility clinic

The center you choose to perform the IVF treatment can greatly affect your IVF success. Factors to think about when reviewing the success rate of fertility centers include:

• The training and experience of the IVF clinic and staff
• The live birth rate per IVF cycles started
• The rate of patients pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets or more)
• The laboratory used by the clinic and the qualifications of their staff
• The types of patients accepted at the clinic, more specifically their age and fertility problem

Keep in mind that some clinics are more willing to accept patients with a lower chance of IVF success or they may specialize in particular treatments.

 

 

Know  your IVF success factors as you plan to get pregnant

Remember, just as with any chronic illness, knowledge is power with infertility. The more you learn about specific IVF success factors, the more control you will feel about high-tech treatments that help you get pregnant and start a family.

 

IVF Success factors

What are the risks of IVF?

IVF doesn't always result in pregnancy, and it can be both physically and emotionally demanding. You should be offered counselling to help you through the process.

There are also a number of health risks involved, including:

• side effects from the medications used during treatment, such as hot flushes and headaches
• multiple births (such as twins or triplets) – this can be dangerous for both the mother and the children
• an ectopic pregnancy – where the embryo implants in the fallopian tubes, rather than in the womb
• ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – where too many eggs develop in the ovaries

Read more about  risks of IVF.

What Can I Expect From IVF?

The first step in IVF involves injecting hormones so you produce multiple eggs each month instead of only one.You will then be tested to determine whether you're ready for egg retrieval.

Prior to the retrieval procedure, you will be given injections of a medication that ripens the developing eggs and starts the process of ovulation. Timing is important; the eggs must be retrieved just before they emerge from the follicles in the ovaries. If the eggs are taken out too early or too late, they won't develop normally. Your doctor may do blood tests or an ultrasound to be sure the eggs are at the right stage of development before retrieving them. The IVF facility will provide you with special instructions to follow the night before and the day of the procedure. Most women are given pain medication and the choice of being mildly sedated or going under full anesthesia.

During the procedure, your doctor will locate follicles in the ovary with ultrasound and remove the eggs with a hollow needle. The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes, but may take up to an hour.