Infertility is a lot more common than most people think. It affects around 1 in 6 couples.
Around 5% of infertile couples turn to IVF to help them conceive. There are fertile people who pursue IVF for other reasons too. Currently, approximately 1 in 50 babies are now born using IVF.
Should You Start IVF?
When it comes to infertility, IVF may be an option if you or your partner have been diagnosed with:
- Endometriosis
- Low sperm counts
- Problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Problems with ovulation
- Antibody problems that harm sperm or eggs
- The inability of sperm to penetrate or survive in the cervical mucus
- An unexplained fertility problem
The IVF process is different for everyone
Everyone responds to the physical, emotional, and financial stress that goes along with IVF. But, there are a few things that everyone who is considering IVF should consider:
IVF can be a very time-consuming and emotional process. Make sure that you have a support system in place. I recommend that women avoid starting an IVF treatment cycle during known periods of high stress or a major life change, such as a career shift.
As with most things, preparation is key
Your overall health is a very important factor when you are trying to conceive. Excess weight can negatively impact the success rate of IVF, and, it is more difficult to conceive when the woman is overweight. Too much excess weight can lead to problems during the pregnancy too.
Regulate, restore and get your body back in balance before you start IVF.
Having a healthy, balanced diet is vitally important to success with IVF. It is important to get yourself physically and mentally prepared. We specialize in using supplements, Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling to give yourself the best chance of producing healthy eggs and sperm.
You have a window of opportunity to get your body balanced, nourished and ready for a baby.
Three months leading up to the treatment is an ideal amount of time to get your body to peak wellness.
We often recommend our patients do a gentle fertility cleanse to launch into healthy habits and teach them to eat a nutrient-rich, toxin-free diet that will support their body and improve their chances of success during IVF.
You may need more than one cycle of treatment
Some women do get pregnant with just one IVF cycle, but according to the National Infertility Association, most women need to undergo multiple rounds before they are successful.
Fresh vs. Frozen
There are many reasons that you might consider using frozen eggs or embryos. Recent studies suggest that frozen eggs and embryos are just as viable as fresh ones. In fact, thanks to the changes in technology, the trend has been more frozen embryo transfers than fresh. This has a lot to do with the importance being placed on getting your body as healthy as possible. When you do an egg retrieval, your body is knocked out of balance, so waiting a month after the retrieval will give your body time to heal, improving your chances of a successful implantation.
Okay, you’ve decided to do IVF…
There are easy steps you can take to get your body ready for IVF. I have created a free checklist for you to use to make sure you are doing everything you can to have IVF success.
Click Here to Download The Fertility Godmother’s IVF Checklist
If you are considering IVF or IUI, please contact us for a FREE Clarity Session to see how we can help you: +1 (805) 497-2625.
