IVF checklist

Cut down on alcohol

Alcohol has been shown to have a detrimental effect on gamete function. It can also affect sperm and egg quality. Ideally, you should give up alcohol three months ahead of your IVF cycle as that’s how long it takes the body to develop an egg or sperm.

But if you feel going without completely is going to make you miserable just cut down on your intake and try not to consume more than five units per week.

Be sure to drink plenty of water too. Do try and give up completely for two weeks prior to treatment and during the cycle.

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Consider acupuncture

The medical community is divided about the validity of acupuncture as a treatment aid, but some studies reveal convincing evidence that it helps to balance out hormones, improve blood flow to and energy to reproductive organs, builds womb lining, stimulates follicle growth and encourages implantation post embryo transfer.

Revered fertility guru Zita West advocates a course of acupuncture in the lead up to and during certain stages of treatment.

If you decide to try it, choose a practitioner in Traditional Chinese Medicine with expertise in fertility issues.

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Eat the right foods

Research by Harvard University recently showed that diet plays a significant role in fertility and studies reveal a possible link between pesticides used in fruit and vegetables and reproductive health.

To be on the safe side, try and stick to organic food as much as possible.

It’s especially important to avoid any highly processed foods, and refined sugars which affect insulin levels and can lead to hormonal imbalances that could alter the efficacy of the IVF drugs.

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Bulk up on protein

As well as watching what you eat, it’s vital that you’re getting enough protein in your diet. Melanie Brown, a leading nutritionist who specialises in fertility recommends increasing protein intake to about 70 grams a day ahead of IVF but warns against high-protein slimming diets that are too low in carbohydrates.

Good sources of healthy protein include lentils, fish, nuts, lean organic chicken, beef and lamb.

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Get tested

If you’re self-financing treatment, try to have as many of the necessary blood tests and done on the NHS as possible. The financial burden of IVF is immense, so every little you can do to avoid additional costs helps.

Most clinics require that you are Rubella immune, have had a recent cervical smear test and have had a sexual health screen for for HiV, Hep B and Chlamydia in the past 12 months.

These can all be done at your local Family Planning Clinic at no cost, but make sure you get copies all tests as your IVF clinic will require proof.

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Think positive

Positive visualisation and trying not to stress out too much should also form an important part of your preparation for IVF.

A gentle Iyenger or Hatha yoga class will help you to shake off any stress by focussing your thoughts and making you feel energised and refreshed through a series of simple breathing techniques and relaxation postures.

You might also like to try a hypnotherapy CD in the run up to treatment.

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Give up smoking

If you’re a smoker, now is definitely the time time to quit. As well as all the other well known health risks, smoking directly affects your womb lining.

If you’re serious about having children, quit the fags and avoid smokey environments at least three months ahead of treatment.

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Get plenty of rest

Late nights and early mornings are all part of modern life, but now more than ever it’s important that you’re getting enough rest so that your body can process all the vitamins and minerals flowing around it efficiently and prepare for what’s hopefully going to be growing inside it during the coming months.

A good night’s sleep will also help your mental health.  Keep the late nights to a minimum.

Try to be in bed by 11pm and avoid watching TV or doing anything too stimulating before you turn in.

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Take your vitamins

Just as those trying to conceive naturally, you should be taking at least 400mcg of folic acid daily. It’s best to take an all-round multivitamin specially formulated for conception. There are various his and her preparations widely available.

It might be worth getting your vitamin D levels checked too – especially if you have dark skin which doesn’t process sunlight as effectively.

Most of us are vitamin D deficient due to the lack of sunshine in the UK and wearing sunblock. A vitamin D supplement can quickly sort out any deficiency and get you up to optimum levels for conception.

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Have a detoxing massage

A week or so before commencing treatment, treat yourself to a detoxing manual lymphatic drainage massage.

This will help eliminate any toxins in your system – especially your liver which will play an important role in processing the stimulation drugs during treatment. The Zita West Clinic in London recommends a specific massage technique known as Vodder.

Visit www.vodderschool.com to find a therapist

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Improve egg quality

While there is nothing you can do to increase the quantity of your eggs, you can improve their quality. Poor egg quality, particularly in older women is often the reason for IVF failure.  

A good diet and eliminating alcohol should help improve quality, but there is also anecdotal evidence that natural bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis can also improve egg quality taken daily for three months in the run up to treatment.

Take one teaspoon a day away from hot food or drink. Available from www.apitherapy.biz.

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Avoid chemicals

It’s best to limit your exposure to any chemicals including toiletries and cleaning products which could adversely affect your health and subsequently treatment.

Opt for chemical and fragrance-free body products and aluminium-free deodorants (pictured: Green People’s Organic No Scent Range www.greenpeople.co.uk), and eco cleaning products free from harsh bleaches, lead or artificial fragrances.

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