How to Prepare Yourself For IVF

 First things first, pat yourself on the back. You’ve come this far; where you’re actively looking for ways to prepare for your IVF journey. Given how taboo-ridden and apprehensive our society still is (More than 40 years after the first IVF treatment) it’s quite an achievement to be able to put yourself ahead of those apprehensions and get the right treatment. The internet is exploding with IVF-related information, but very few sources answer the pertinent question – How to prepare for IVF? It can be daunting and intimidating to skim through articles online that seem to be filled with medical words but don’t tell you the questions to ask when preparing for IVF. We hope this post helps you answer questions like how do I prepare my body for IVF, how to mentally prepare for IVF, and questions to ask when preparing for IVF. These are very important questions and we hope you armor yourself with all the knowledge you need in this domain.

If you’ve already understood How IVF works step by step – you know that it’s a multi-step treatment that includes Consultation and Blood tests, Ovarian Stimulation, Transvaginal Oocyte Retrieval, Egg and Sperm Preparation, Egg Fertilisation, Embryo transfer followed by a pregnancy test two weeks later. The steps might seem to be daunting, filled with a lot of technical jargon but be assured that for your doctor these very procedures are their specialty and they have worked for years to let it become their expertise.

IVF is a multi-step procedure so it is wise to consider preparing for it Physically, Financially, and Emotionally. Choosing a provider that helps you plan these aspects of the preparation for IVF takes a burden off you and makes you feel taken care of. IVF junction understands the toll it can take to manage the Physical, Financial, and Emotional Aspects of the IVF journey and provides support through your IVF procedure. We provide you with services like stress management, diet management, financing, and counseling which make you go through the treatment with ease and confidence. The procedure can span over weeks and months so it’s important to choose an IVF clinic that’s going to hold your hand through the various stages so it’s not intimidating. Having prior knowledge of what to expect during treatment also helps you make important decisions and be well prepared for your IVF journey.

1. Physical Preparations for IVF

Before beginning the IVF Journey, you and your partner would be required to undergo some clinical tests. These tests ensure that your doctor can plan a treatment that is individualized for the couple and targets the specific issues that have resulted in infertility. It also gives them an indication if the sperm and the ovum can be of the couple or if there is a requirement of a donor for either the sperm or the ovum.

• Ovarian Reserve Testing – Ovarian reserve in laymen’s terms means the number of egg cells in the ovaries that can lead to successful fertilization resulting in pregnancy. Women are born with egg cells that deteriorate in quantity and quality as they age and hence having an estimate of the Ovarian Reserve can help the doctor determine the treatment. Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Anti Mullerian Hormone, Inhibin B, Basal Estradiol,  and Antral Follicle Count are tested for in Ovarian Reserve Testing. These tests would let your IVF doctor know if the ovum is capable of fertilization and if there is a requirement of a donor ovum.
• Infectious Diseases Screening – The partners and Donors are checked for any infectious diseases with blood tests.
• Uterine Cavity Assessment –
• . Uterine assessment methods such as Transvaginal Ultrasound, Hysteroscopy, Saline Hysterosonography, and Hysterosalpingography might be employed if your IVF specialist thinks you need one or more of these assessments. These tests can detect polyps, intrauterine adhesions, endometrial hyperplasia, uterine septa, and submucosal fibroids.
• Semen Analysis – This measures the sperm concentration, motility, and shape of sperm. A sperm analysis also measures Semen quality with various measurable factors. An ideal semen sample that can lead to fertilization contains 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen, 50% of which have good motility and at least 4% are normally shaped. The chemical makeup of the semen, volume, liquefaction time, and fructose level is also analyzed. These indicators give your doctor an idea about the quality of the sperm and if they can be used for successful fertilization.

After These tests, it would become clearer to the doctor if the Ovum and the Sperm are suitable for an In-vitro Fertilisation procedure or if a donor sperm or ovum would be required.

It is important to have a general and gynecological check-up to identify any additional cause for infertility. Conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are a major reason for infertility in women. PCOS is the cause of up to 30% of infertility in couples seeking treatment. So ruling out conditions such as PCOS is very important.

IVF Junction provides you with expert consultation from the Best Gynecologists, Top-ranked IVF Doctors in India, ICMR approved centers, IVF treatment counseling, and treatment support. We partner with centers that have established success rates and offer the best expertise, specialized labs, ethical practice, and patient-centric interests. Our Fertility Lifestyle Management Program designed especially by IVF Junction helps you manage your lifestyle before you start with your IVF treatment.

• Start Following a healthier lifestyle –
• Quit Smoking and Alcohol – Smoking and consumption of alcohol should be stopped before beginning IVF treatment. These habits are not only bad for your general health but also negatively impact fertility. If you’ve been a smoker for a long time, the best time to quit is right now. Your doctor might help you chart out a plan to effectively give up smoking.
• Get Sufficient Sleep – Sleep Deprivation can cause a variety of imbalances in the body especially disrupting the body’s natural clock, hormones, moods, and physiological activities. Getting good quality nighttime sleep is essential to keep your hormones in balance.
• Get some Activity – Do low-intensity activities like walking if your doctor allows. You can start with exercises that help you stay active and motivated. exercises can improve your mood and decrease stress levels. Some fresh air does everyone some good, so just a small stroll might uplift your mood. Do not start a new workout routine before consulting with your IVF specialist.
• Eat a healthy diet – Try to eat a healthy diet as prescribed by your doctor. Certain foods improve your health and provide you with adequate nutrition. Your body shouldn’t be starving for important nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Regular consumption of healthy foods would provide you with macronutrients and micronutrients and ensure you do not have nutritional deficiencies. Avoid eating processed foods that could contain harmful levels of trans fats. Taking specific diet advice that aligns with your goals is an important step to ensure you’re following a healthier lifestyle.
• Stay Hydrated – Roughly 60% of the human body is water, remember? We all read this fact at some point or the other but seem to lose sight of it in our lifestyle. It’s very important to maintain adequate hydration to ensure that you aren’t dehydrated and affecting your body negatively. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine and instead focus on healthy alternatives.
• Get your Supplements – If your doctor thinks you’ll benefit from certain supplements, it is important to consume them as prescribed. Supplements such as folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and zinc may be considered. It’s important to have them exactly as prescribed – There is something known as supplement overdose and you don’t want to have that. Consumption according to the Doctor’s advice shall keep you safe.

Maintain a healthy weight – being at a healthy weight is important. Discuss your ideal weight with your doctor and ensure you are in the preferable weight range. Maintain a healthy weight. Your doctor might be able to help you plan your weight loss or weight gain depending upon whatever they think is right for you.

Avoid Hormone Disrupting substances and chemicals – Educate yourself about substances such as BPAs and Phthalates and actively try to reduce their exposure to yourself. These substances are known to disrupt hormones that can cause fertility issues.

IVF Junction has network partners which provide diet management and ensure you know exactly what to consume to maximize your health. IVF Junction’s diet management partners ensure your dietary goals align with your IVF journey.

2. Financial Preparation before undergoing IVF treatment

IVF is an expensive procedure, and often the financial aspect of how to prepare for IVF treatment is left out. Considering the financial aspect would help you plan your finances so if there is a positive outcome through the IVF journey, you have the finances sorted for when the baby arrives.

• The cost of IVF in India and internationally is determined by several factors.
•  IVF is a highly specialized field and requires the expertise of various professionals – The Best IVF Specialists, Reproductive endocrinologists, nurses, embryologists, and a team of healthcare experts. These experts undergo years of training to be able to perform ART.
• The andrology Labs are expensive to equip and operate.
• Several clinical examinations including blood tests, ultrasounds, semen analysis, hysteroscopy have to be performed depending upon the requirement to achieve the best possible results.
• The equipment and maintenance costs also have to be considered – the last thing you want is cost-cutting in that direction. When you think of questions to ask when preparing for IVF – Would cost-cutting risk put my health at risk? Should be one of the important questions to ask yourself. Never compromise due to this reason and always choose clinics with proper certifications for compliance with regulatory authorities, technologically advanced equipment, experienced staff, and well-equipped labs. No amount of money saved is a justification for you to gamble with your health. IVF Junction has provided a cost calculator which can help you have an idea of the finances involved.

While cost is an important consideration, there are ways to help you manage it. Financing is an option that you can consider. Know your options in terms of Loans and EMIs to help you with better decision-making about which method of financing is the best option for you. IVF junction can help you avail of an EMI plan according to your affordability with the help of our fertility buddy programs and experienced counselors.

3. Emotional Preparation Before the IVF Journey

A common question that arises when people consider IVF is how do I prepare my body for IVF followed closely by how to mentally prepare for IVF. People usually have tried everything like home remedies, alternative therapies, internet solutions, and gimmicky supplements before they turn to IVF treatment. This journey itself is an arduous one and it is, therefore, all the more necessary to take care of your emotional needs.

Among the questions to ask when preparing for IVF, some of the most important ones need to be directed towards yourself.

Some questions to ask when preparing for IVF are –

• Am I emotionally prepared to undergo this treatment?
• Are we ready to commit a certain amount of time to this procedure?
• If the need arises for donor egg, embryo, or sperm, how comfortable are we about the idea?
• Periods of nervousness might arise through the procedure, like the week before the pregnancy test, am I ready to put myself through it?
• What are our views about surrogacy if the need for a surrogate arises?
• In case of multiple pregnancies, are we prepared enough?
• Do I have mechanisms to lower my stress levels?
• This requires long term commitment to getting blood tests, scans, and procedures, am I willing to dedicate that much time and effort?

It is important to be completely transparent with yourself while you answer these questions. It is also important to remember that your doctors would be by you as a support system – the success of your IVF journey directly impacts them too and they would always be supporting you emotionally in their capacity. IVF doctors have helped hundreds of couples become parents and they understand how emotionally sensitive this treatment is. Mental health services may also be availed for added emotional support. Additionally, joining a group with more IVF couples may help you gain some insightful tips and connect with people who understand your journey.

IVF Junction has network partners that help with stress management. IVF Junction’s fertility group provides couples a place to share their IVF queries which are answered by experts, interact with IVF conquerors, and a shared journey to parenthood with to-be-parents.

Takeaway

We hope this article helped you answer the question: How to prepare for IVF? that every IVF treatment seeker faces. IVF is a treatment that challenges you mentally, emotionally, and physically. It requires you to be persistent, keep your faith intact, trust in science, and do the best of your ability working with your doctor to make it a success. Read books about this topic to know what helped the others during their journey. Remind yourself that though this procedure sounds futuristic, it is actually a tried and tested procedure going back decades and has only improved over the years with technological advancements. A lot of couples have achieved their dream of having a baby through Assisted Reproductive Techniques. Doctors have performed thousands of IVF cycles over the years. Strictly follow your doctor’s advice, have a detailed understanding of what the procedures demand from you financially and emotionally, and choose an IVF specialist you can trust. Ensure you are doing your best to maintain physical and emotional health. When you take this leap of faith, We, along with a team of highly qualified IVF Specialists in India are there to help you through this procedure.