A lot of people think that it’s just women who have fertility issues, and that’s not the case. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 9% of men have fertility issues, while 11% of women have fertility issues. Visit here for fertility tests for males. With those statistics, it’s leading a lot of couples to pursue alternative methods of parenthood. Among those alternative methods, there’s adoption, which has allowed many families to feel complete. Another alternative method couples turn to is in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The whole process of trying to get pregnant and not see any results from trying can be quite devastating for a couple, but with the advances in technology, the journey to parenthood doesn’t seem so much like a far stretch anymore with IVF. As a couple having trouble getting pregnant, you need to understand that it is a process. It isn’t as simple as walking into a clinic and telling the doctors you want a baby, and they simply insert an embryo. You need to be realistic with yourself about the process and time frame. It is also important to do your research and make sure you find the best option for you whether it is IVF, home insemination, or IUI.

Timing is Essential

As far as timing goes, don’t think of this as a shot clock scenario where the clock is ticking and you have to be quick if you want to make your shot. For one, you don’t want to start the process of IVF when you are stressed. That can certainly be easier said than done because experiencing infertility is stressful and there are many other ” aria-label=”factors that lead to infertility (opens in a new tab)”>factors that lead to infertility.

The other aspect of timing is the time frame you take preparing yourself for the process for IVF. In your journey to parenthood by way of IVF, there are certain things you need to do on your own to get yourself ready for the treatments. We’ll take a look at things you need to do to prepare yourself for IVF depending on where you are during the process.

Preparation: 3-6 Months (or Longer)

When you have 3-6 months or longer to prepare your body for IVF, it’s the most ideal situation to increase your likelihood of getting pregnant. This solely because it typically takes at least 3 months for a follicle to grow and mature to the ideal size for the egg to grow in. The way your egg develops will be a direct reflection of the fertile environment of your body.

A great way to think of this is like the soil of a garden. A garden needs to be fertilized in order to grow healthy and good-quality plants. You’ll water it and even feed it plant food if necessary. That process and theory are the same for a healthy baby. You’ll need to do things to prepare your body to birth a healthy baby.

End Smoking and Drinking

Did you know that nicotine is ten times more concentrated in the uterine fluid than the rest of your body? The American Journal of Epidemiology reported that statistic, and on top of that, if a woman consumes alcohol during her IVF cycles, it can reduce her chances of pregnancy by 50%.

Take Your Herbal Supplements

Chances are, you’re not getting your recommended amount of nutrients in the food you eat, so you will need to make up for that with a prenatal supplement. By taking prenatal supplements, you’ll be positively affecting the quality of your eggs and enhancing your fertile environment.

So, if we know that it takes at least 3 months for a follicle to mature, you’ll want to start taking your prenatal supplement 3 to six months prior to trying to conceive… it’s all about getting your body “fertilized and ready” to start.

Preparation: 1-2 Months

Eat Foods That Promote Fertility

Consuming foods that are gametes or at least help nourish gametes are crucial to the success of your IVF procedure. These foods are considered as “fertility boosting foods.” Other foods include eggs, oats, and sprouts. If you’re ever unsure of what to eat, a good rule of thumb would be to always go fresh and organic.

Establish a Strong Support System

The whole IVF process can take a huge toll on a woman’s emotional and physical well-being… it is definitely a journey. Each clinic has it’s own success rates so it helps to have a good support system whether you’re on the successful or unsuccessful end. Incorporating close friends and family during this moment is very helpful in getting through the process.

Preparation: A Few Weeks

Ideally, you really want to take more time to prepare for an IVF process in order to have a higher chance of success. But if you are preparing later than you expected, you can certainly still do everything above, but here are a few things that you can start immediately.

  • Breathing Exercises
  • Reduce Stress (easier said than done)
  • Work on Getting Plenty Rest

 

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