- Lifestyle and in vitro fertilization: what do patients believe? - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5424337/)
- In Vitro Fertilization - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562266/)
- Effects of lifestyle factors on fertility: practical recommendations for modification - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8812443/)
About
IVF is an important process that has introduced a new powerful tool in reproductive medicine for infertile couples. However, the optimisation of lifestyle factors can make a huge difference when it comes to IVF treatments (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Lifestyle and in vitro fertilization: what do patients believe?
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Lifestyle Changes to Improve IVF Success Rates
Below are some essential lifestyle changes to consider (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
In Vitro Fertilization
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1. Exercise for a Healthy Weight
Here, it is crucial to keep to a healthy weight because it enhances fertility and the potentiality of IVF success rates to be high.
Physical exercises are important as:
Physical exercise also helps right the body mass index, which is crucial for the reproductive functions, according to the discovery. Fertility rates may also be affected when individuals have a low BMI or on the other hand have a high BMI.
An IVF expert adds, "One of the most important changes that a lady should adopt is the issue of exercising regularly. A healthy BMI is specifically important for ensuring that you have a safe pregnancy."
The following activities have been recommended:
Low impact exercises such as yoga and going for a walk are perfect for getting the body ready for IVF and even during pregnancy. These raise circulation, relax the body, and strengthen the central nervous system without fatiguing the muscles.
2. Adopting a Healthy Diet
Balanced diet helps the reproductive system and increases the chances of conception through IVF.
Diets That Make a Difference
Research indicates that compliance with the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, or AHA diet may decrease pregnancy loss risks during IVF (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Effects of lifestyle factors on fertility: practical recommendations for modification
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These diets include:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Healthy protein sources (e.g., fish, nuts, and legumes)
- Limiting saturated and trans fats
Impact on IVF Success
A study that targeted 612 women showed that less risky eating patterns minimize the chances of pregnancy loss even as it had little positive influence over clinical pregnancy or live birth chances.
3. Managing Stress for Better Outcomes
Stress is a factor that plays a major role in the family's plans for having a child, and stress can be highly detrimental to IVF outcomes.
Importance of Stress Management
Stress slows hormonal production which makes conception difficult.
Doctor's Advice: "Fear, anger or any negative thinking, practicing yoga, meditation, and therapy must be done in the right time that is during the IVF cycle."
Everybody knows how to reduce stress but sometimes proper technique helps in cutting down the stress level and they are mentioned as follows:
- Yoga and Meditation: That is why it is recommended to encourage people to relax and think about nothing at all.
- Therapy: Douglas and Meara (2001) assess and suggest ways of coping emotionally.
- Self-Care Practices: And such things as writing a diary, walking in the park and finally sleeping.
4. Avoiding Unhealthy Habits
Lifestyles such as smoking and alcohol intake have been found to obliterate impact the fertility and IVF.
Effects of Smoking and Alcohol:
- Smoking: Decreases successful chance of getting pregnant and giving birth by interfering with egg and sperm cellular structure. The rate of success in IVF, however, is considerably lower among women who have ever smoked than those who have never smoked.
- Alcohol: Alcohol intake has a way of causing hormonal imbalances and is very detrimental to fertility.
Specifically, human reproduction revealed that couples with one or both partners who smoke have 2.41 times more likely to experience conception failure and 3.76 times more likely to experience birth failure.
5. Other Essential Lifestyle Changes
- Hydration: Take lots of water in order to keep your body as well functioning as possible.
- Adequate Sleep: Spend time in bed for 7-8 hours a day in order to ultimately affect hormonal regulation of energy.
- Supplementation: Inform your doctor about use of every thing during pregnancy including prenatal vitamins such as folic acid.
All these lifestyle changes, therefore help in improving your chances of going through IVF successfully and hence improving your chances of a healthy future pregnancy.