Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Prepare food and fitness
• Method 2 of 2: Prepare Yourself Mentally and Emotionally
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have decided to undergo IVF, there are steps you can take to prepare yourself for the procedure, both physically and mentally, to achieve a higher success rate. A woman needs a healthy, nutritious, high-protein diet, it is important to maximize egg consumption, while mentally you may need to prepare for regular injections and tests. Continue reading to find out how you can prepare your mind and body for IVF.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Prepare food and fitness

1. 1 Start eating at least 2.1 oz (60 g) to 2.46 oz (70 g) of protein daily to allow your body to produce healthy amounts of eggs.
   • Examples of high protein foods include meat (natural or organic), fish, beans, eggs, and lentils.
2. 2 Eat foods high in calcium to provide your body with nutrients that will aid in the fertilization process.
   • Examples of foods high in calcium include yogurt, almonds, tofu, cheese, green leafy vegetables such as kale, turnips, spinach, and kale.
3. 3 Eat foods high in folate or start taking folic acid alone to aid fertilization.
   • Eat foods high in folate such as vegetables, fruits, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, grains, and breads that are fortified with folate.
   • Take a multi-vitamin daily that contains 400 milligrams (0.4 mg) of folate to make sure you are getting an adequate dose of folate, especially if you don't eat foods containing it daily.
4. 4 Drink 70.39 ounces (2 liters) of water daily to keep your body hydrated properly to increase your chances of fertilization.
5. 5 Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, or stop consuming these elements altogether.
   • If you are having difficulty eliminating caffeine from your diet altogether, limit your intake to 200-300 mg per day.
   • A cup of coffee typically contains 90-150 mg of caffeine, however this range will vary greatly depending on the type of coffee bean or brewing method. Alternatively, you can drink decaf coffee.
6. 6 Quit smoking and drug use immediately, thereby increasing the chances of fertilization.
   • Talk to your doctor if you are taking prescription drugs that interfere with artificial insemination.
7. 7 Do gentle exercises such as walking or yoga daily to relieve tension, improve blood flow, and achieve a healthy weight based on your body mass index (BMI).

Method 2 of 2: Prepare Yourself Mentally and Emotionally

1. 1 Share your emotions with your partner to relieve pressure and emphasize how you feel before IVF.
   • The types of emotions and feelings that you can experience and share with your partner are feelings of grief over the last miscarriage, or a feeling of fear that artificial insemination will not help.
   • You may also feel uncomfortable with the investment of money in the procedure, especially if you have experienced multiple failures in trying to get pregnant. Say that you will not be able to control any future negative consequences of the fertilization process.
2. 2 Spend time together doing what you both love to relieve stress or focus on upcoming treatment.
3. 3 Talk to your doctor if you want to join a support group if you feel you might need additional emotional support.

Tips

• Begin implementing nutrition and health best practices at least 4-6 weeks prior to your first IVF cycle for faster conception rates.

Warnings

• Do not eat foods containing chocolate or processed sugars for at least 6 weeks before and during your IVF period. These foods do not contain the nutrients your body needs and can cause your blood sugar to rise to critical levels.