10 Important Things You Should Remember While Undergo IVF Treatments
- 30 Jul, 2022
- IVF and Infertility
- infertility
- Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Nishi Singh - Author: Prime IVF Centre
It is seen that the success rate in the In-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle depends on the couples’ knowledge of the treatment. The more informed and educated you are concerning the process, the higher your chances are of a successful conception.
A sudden diagnosis of infertility can be shocking but the medical field is continually expanding. This means that what was once impossible is a regular occurrence now. The same is the case with IVF treatments. It is becoming more and more mainstream and rightfully so.
However, learning about IVF treatments superficially won’t help you much. Instead, get an in-depth understanding of the terminologies, the steps, and the treatment progress.
We will highlight all the factors that you should remember before, during, and after your IVF treatment.
Table of Contents
Guide to IVF Success
The guide to IVF success involves three parts – the pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment.
Since the requisites during each of these stages are different, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with all of them to streamline the outcome of the treatment.
From the involved technologies to the progress of the IVF treatment with each step, you need to familiarize yourself with every step in the process.
For a better understanding, we have broken down the 10 essential reminders into three stages throughout the treatment:
Before Starting the IVF Treatment
The pre-treatment requisites of an IVF treatment generally talk about the weight of the patient, their activity level, etc. However, here’s a quick handy tip – Shift your focus on finding the right IVF center instead of solely worrying about your body.
Following are the tips you need to be wary of:
- Research the Best IVF Centre: There are several factors that influence the success rate of an IVF cycle. It could be your health, your body’s physiological functions, your partner’s sperm health, etc.
However, none of this bypasses the importance of finding the right IVF center for you. Your aim before starting your IVF journey is to find a clinic that:- Has the state-of-the-art infrastructure
- Is equipped with all the latest technologies
- Has board-certified and experienced multidisciplinary team of doctors
- Has cooperative and empathetic staff
- Provides affordable and transparent IVF packages
Prime IVF Centre offers all of these elements in both the Dwarka and Gurgaon locations to offer the patients the most streamlined IVF treatment experience.
- Find the Issues
The next step in your IVF journey is to find the reason behind your infertility. What is preventing you from conceiving? Is it derived from male or female factors in the couple?
You can’t proceed in your IVF journey if you don’t have these answers. Having a clear diagnosis personalizes the treatment plan, thereby enhancing the chances of conception drastically.
So, your first consultation with the fertility specialist is a breakthrough in the process. They will discuss your medical history, overall physical and mental health, home environment, etc.
With a comprehensive understanding, your specialist will prescribe further testing to find the issues. In case a cause isn’t found, it is marked as “unexplained” or “idiopathic” infertility. - Transforming your Health: Before your fertility specialist starts the IVF journey, there are several factors involved in the treatment cycle. It starts with the Preparation cycle, which generally starts 2-4 weeks before your IVF cycle.
During these 2 - 4 weeks, you have to work on your physical and mental health. Your doctor will suggest switching to a healthy, nutritious, and balanced diet. You might also have to start upping your activity levels throughout the day to improve your physiological functions.
Some patients are even given fertility drugs to regularize the menstrual cycle. Following the “Preparation Weeks” is the initiation of the IVF cycle. It is typically a six-stage process, from starting the fertility drugs to coming back after the embryo transfer to check for signs of a successful conception.
You should get a breakdown of all the stages from your fertility specialist or the staff at the clinic. Your doctors will also keep you informed about the progress through each stage of the IVF cycle. Having a clear understanding of the progress allows you to have an idea about the chances of a successful conception. - What Should you Eat?
IVF cycles are very sensitive. Since you are opting for an “assistive” process, you have to prioritize your health in the process.
The success rate of an IVF cycle is heavily dependent on the patient’s physiological functions. It is dependent on body weight, body fat levels, hormonal balance, etc. And, all of this is heavily influenced by the diet you consume.
So, when undergoing the IVF treatment process, paying close attention to your nutrition is very important. Studies suggest that the success rate of the IVF cycle is high in female patients with managed body weight.Not just the intended mother, but even the male partner should prioritize eating a healthy diet for elevated chances of a successful conception. Diet heavily influences sperm health, so switch to foods that improve sperm count and elevate sperm health.
Many researches indicate that eating a Mediterranean or plant-based diet during IVF is ideal for better chances of conception. However, we’d recommend listening to your body and eating healthy and balanced meals, and staying away from restrictive diets.
Prime IVF Centre has a multidisciplinary team of doctors, including nutrition specialists, who guide our patients concerning their eating habits and nutrition before the IVF cycle. - Do Chemicals Reduce Chances of IVF Success?
IVF’s success is heavily disrupted by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). You must be thinking, “But, what products contain such chemicals? I don’t think I use anything as such.” EDCs are present in a variety of day-to-day items that we don’t even think of. You can find them in abundance in nail polishes, soap, moisturizers, furniture, clothing, electronics, and even yoga mats.
So, do your research well and try to stay away from items that probably constitute of such hazardous chemicals that can negatively affect the reproductive health, hormonal secretion and balance, and the success rate of your IVF Cycle. - Should I take Supplements during IVF?
When you are naturally trying to conceive a baby, your consulting doctor will put you on prenatal vitamins. So, when undergoing IVF treatments, the processes aren’t anything different.
The primary intent of taking natural supplements is to up your folic acid intake in case the IVF cycle is a success. Even the male partner will be prescribed supplements to boost their sperm health.
In some cases, an additional Vitamin D supplement is also prescribed to prevent risks of autism in the conceived baby later in the pregnancy.
Only intake the supplements in the prescribed dosage. Excess consumption is often tied with negative implications during the IVF cycle. - What about Activity Levels?
A sedentary lifestyle is an antagonist to your IVF’s success rate. You want to stay active and exercise throughout the IVF cycle since it's considered safe and good for your hormonal balance.
Having a healthy body weight and BMI is considered optimal for your IVF’s success rate. However, indulge in low-impact exercises and not extensive ones like rigorous running.
Some of the permissible exercise options include:- Light jogging
- Walks
- Spinning
- Hiking
- Treadmill walks, etc.
Before starting a particular exercise regime, ensure to discuss all the safety precautions with your fertility specialist.
- Does Sleep Affect IVF Success?: During your IVF treatment cycle, it is crucial that you get enough sleep to maintain optimal hormonal levels.
Even studies indicate that the chances of conception drastically improve in women who get 7-8 hours of quality sleep.
If you are having a hard time falling asleep, we’d recommend discussing the issue with the fertility doctor. Ideally, they will guide you with a few effective bedtime routine tips that can enhance your chances of getting quality sleep throughout the night. - In-clinic Pregnancy Test
Once your two-week wait is over after the embryo transfer, that’s when you will be advised to take an at-home pregnancy test.
However, an in-clinic blood test for determining the success of the IVF cycle is considered optimal. For this, you will need to come to the IVF clinic where you got the procedure done.
They will collect your blood sample or urine sample to test if you are pregnant or not. It is a waiting game from there but we’d recommend getting comprehensive testing done at the clinic instead of solely relying on the at-home pregnancy kits. - Determine the Next Steps: The last factor in your IVF treatment cycle can go two ways.
You have successfully conceived and are ready to be transferred to a normal OBGYN for further evaluation and management of the pregnancy, following the successful IVF cycle.
You haven’t conceived after the first IVF cycle; in which case, your fertility specialist will discuss the reasons and analyze the future course of the treatment.
During the IVF Treatment
Once your doctor has a clear idea of what’s wrong or they think IVF would be the best route for conception, that’s when the treatment starts. Ideally, it will involve a lot of individual reminders concerning your physical, mental, and physiological well-being.
Here’s a breakdown of the same:
After the Embryo Transfer
Following the embryo transfer, which is generally the fifth stage of the IVF cycle, the waiting game begins. Generally, there is a two-week wait after the embryo transfer. This is the implantation period, after which the patent has to take a pregnancy test.
FAQs
1. What precautions should be taken during the IVF cycle?
Knowing what IVF treatment means isn’t enough, especially if you aren’t practicing caution. Before, throughout, and after the IVF treatment, focus on taking care of your health and the baby’s health if the IVF cycle was successful. Avoid ill habits like smoking, alcohol, and drugs. Also, switch to a healthy and balanced diet for weight management and optimal hormonal balance.
2. What you should know before IVF?
Before you start your fertility treatment journey, be very clear about the concepts of IVF and the IVF treatment cost. It isn’t a cheap medical procedure, so being prepared financially is crucial.
3. How can I make my first IVF successful?
Following the above 10 tips should be enough to maximize your chances of a successful IVF conception. However, we’d also recommend following your doctor’s advice and keeping yourself stress-free throughout the procedure for optimal outcomes.
Conclusion
IVF treatment is not an easy ride. Not just financially but physically, mentally, and emotionally, the procedure is taxing for both the male and the female partner. So, being aware of the top tips and takeaways can maximize your chances of a successful IVF procedure.
Prime IVF Centre is known for its collaborative patient management with its team of specialists and the well-equipped fertility clinic. If you are struggling to conceive, our team is here to look into all the concerns and offer tailored treatment options and IVF packages that enhance your chances of welcoming the joy of parenthood. We believe in fostering transparency, offering advanced medical procedures, and centrally-regulated treatment options to make everything your money’s worth.
