IVF Preparation Checklist!

 

If you are on your fertility journey, worry not as there are a large number of people who are on the same journey as you. 1 out of 7 couples nowadays struggle to conceive. IVF or in vitro fertilization has helped millions of couples worldwide to have a baby. Since the world’s first IVF in 1978, more than 8 million babies have been born. When you are trying to conceive and things don’t go exactly as planned, it is like a game of snakes and ladders. You keep going up and down and don’t know when it will end. 

 

Generally, IVF involves 3 separate processes including:

1. Inducing the production of eggs (stimulating the ovaries with medication to produce more eggs).
2. Retrieving the eggs and fertilizing them with your partner’s or a donor’s sperm.
3. Transferring the embryo (the successfully joined sperm and egg) back into the female uterus.

 

However, these are just the basics. IVF is much more complex in reality and many people are surprised to learn that it is not only a one-time clinic visit and off you go. The overall IVF process can be very lengthy as it requires prior testing/procedures and might take multiple attempts. Other than this there are no guarantees of a successful pregnancy. You must ask your clinic to be more transparent about their success rate, specifically the live birth success rate. 

 

Less stress

Whenever you get started with the IVF journey, you need to keep your body and mind as relaxed as possible. It is understandable that whenever tells you to relax it is more frustrating. But for real, when it comes to fertility treatment, a positive and calm state of mind will benefit you a lot. Things that will be very beneficial for you include meditation, yoga, journaling, spending time catching up with friends, lounging at home watching Netflix, going for walk in nature, etc. 

 

Eat well and stay hydrated

Prioritizing your nutrition is very important during IVF treatment. You need to make sure that you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, good sources of fiber, complex carbohydrates, and an adequate amount of protein. Even it is very important to maintain a good intake of vitamins and minerals during your journey. If you are concerned about dietary requirements, you can talk to your clinic which can give you dietary advice or recommend supplements. You must avoid overly processed foods, sugar, and alcohol around this time to ensure that your body is in peak condition for implantation and pregnancy. Also, it is very important to stay hydrated throughout the whole IVF process. Aim to drink around 2-3 liters of water every day.

 

Don’t let it take over your life

IVF is undoubtedly stressful but make sure you still do things that you fully enjoy such as going to social events, doing an exercise class, going to the cinema, going to date night, etc. You don’t need to constantly think about IVF because, honestly, you will go mad. Try to make an effort to focus on things that you enjoyed doing solo and with others before you began trying to conceive. In between the journey don’t forget who you truly are. 

 

Prioritize self-care

It is important for you to put yourself first before anything. Around this time, you must get good sleep, do some light exercise, and treat yourself well with good food. You must aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night, do exercises such as swimming, yoga, cycling, pilates, walking, etc. and do things that you truly enjoy. Reading a favorite book, massage, having a facial, or catching up with an old friend is one of the best ways of self-care.

 

Seek and accept support 

Whether it is your partner, a family member, a close friend, a professional, or a combination of all of the above, you will need a dedicated network of support around you during the IVF process. In the process of making yourself strong, don’t try and shoulder the burden of everything by yourself. It is completely okay to accept support and help. Talk to someone else about what you are going through, have someone with you at your appointments and have someone that helps you all the time. These things will keep you

 

Conclusion

Fertility treatments can take a toll both physically and emotionally and the overall pressure can become a big ball of worry. It is about time for you to take complete care of your mind and body, Eat well, prioritize sleep, minimize stress, stay hydrated, seek support (both professional and personal), treat yourself, and most importantly give yourself a break. If you are doing all of the aforementioned things, you are doing great. If you are not able to conceive and looking for a fertility center, you can consult Dr. Bhavana Mittal at Shivam IVF Centre Delhi. 

Source:-https://shivamivfcentredelhi.com/blog-details/ivf-preparation-checklist-