How to Prepare for an IVF

While the success rate of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures varies widely with a woman's age and the specific cause of her case of reduced fertility, there are steps that can be taken to optimize a woman's health and increase her chances that her IVF will be successful.

Things You'll Need

• High quality food
• Healthy outlets for stress
• Doctor

Instructions

1. 

   Reduce your stress levels. Undergoing IVF can be an immensely stressful time because of the financial obligation, time required, daily medications, fear that it will not work and conflict with your partner about the many decisions involved. However, a study first presented in 2009 by Dr. Alice Domar, Executive Director of The Domar Center for Mind/Body Health at Boston IVF showed that when a woman reduces her stress level, she increases the chances that her IVF cycle will be successful. The study found that women who participated in a stress management program before or during their second IVF cycle had a 160 percent greater pregnancy rate than those who did not take part in a program and that participants had an overall pregnancy rate of 52 percent, compared to 20 percent for non-participants, according to redOrbit.

2. 

   Have acupuncture treatments. A 2008 study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine published in the British Medical Journal found that when acupuncture was performed within one day of embryo transfer, it increased the odds of pregnancy by 65 percent. This translates into one additional pregnancy for every 10 women who choose to undergo acupuncture treatments, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

3. 

   Schedule your IVF procedure during the season of spring, if possible. A study presented by Dr. Daniela Braga at the World Congress of Fertility and Sterility in 2010 suggests that IVF success rates are higher in the spring. She found a 1.45-fold increase in fertilization rates at that time of year and suggests that women who have real trouble conceiving may benefit from having assisted reproductive techniques performed in the spring.

4. 

   Increase your general health levels. Smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption should be limited or eliminated in order to maximize health and fertility in both the male and female partner. Being significantly underweight or overweight can also contribute to reduced fertility in women.

Tips & Warnings

• Sources of stress are highly personal. You know best what your stress triggers are and what type of stress reduction, such as more exercise, fewer commitments, or quality time with good friends, for example, will help you manage your stress in healthy ways.

• Follow your doctor's advice above all else and discuss major changes in your physical or emotional health with him or her.

References

• "The Mother Of All Pregnancy Books"; Ann Douglas; 2000
• RedOrbit: Stress Reduction May Improve IVF Success Rate
• University of Maryland Medical Center: University of Maryland Researchers Find Benefit of Acupuncture
• Science Daily: Success of IVF Varies With Season of the Year, Study Suggests
• Mayo Clinic: Infertility

Resources

• IVF News: Emotionally and Physically Preparing for IVF