Are you preparing for an IVF? You would be joining thousands of women who have challenges getting pregnant naturally. According to the National Infertility Association, 1 in 8 women seeks infertility services in their lifetime. For women and couples seeking to conceive through invitro-fertilization, many aren’t aware of how involved the process can be.
If you’re preparing for an IVF, it’s best to prepare your body and mind for an intensive process that includes medication, hospital visits, and consultations. You may also need to assemble a robust support system to keep you grounded throughout the process. Here are the top four wellness tips to prepare your body for an IVF.
1. Give Attention to Your Diet
Medical experts from multiple fields swear by eating right to live healthy lives. When preparing for an IVF, you should be keener on your diet. Eating whole, unprocessed foods, colorful veggies, and greens, and drinking lots of water is advisable. Other diet tips to follow include:
- Limit or eliminate alcohol from your diet
- Take supplements such as vitamin D, Omega 3 fatty acids, and zinc citrate
- Avoid smoking
You might also need to reduce food allergy triggers, such as those containing sulfites, especially if you have asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, 1 in 13 people in America have asthma.
2. Keep Fit and Relaxed with Exercises and Relaxation Techniques
Physical exercises are highly recommended for people getting pregnant naturally. The same applies to IVF candidates. You can achieve physical fitness in multiple ways when preparing for IVF. The focus is not high intensity but consistent exercise habits. Some of the low-moderate exercises you can engage in are:
- Dancing
- Light jogging and walking
- Cycling
- Domestic work
- Swimming
You can also do relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditation. Relaxation exercises will also help you relieve stress and muscle tension. Better still, find a reliable chiropractor for a professional spinal adjustment to relieve muscle and joint pain, and boost blood flow. There are currently 178,052 practitioners in the chiropractic industry, so finding one shouldn’t be a problem.
3. Don’t Forget Your Mental Health as Well
One of the most overlooked aspects of body health is mental and emotional well-being. Trying to conceive unsuccessfully can take a mental toll on your well-being, and you may feel sad sometimes. It’s okay if you need a shoulder to lean on as you prepare for IVF.
A robust support system can cheer you on when you feel overwhelmed, accompany you to hospital visits and rejoice with you when you get pregnant. If you have waves of negative emotions that don’t wane, it’s time to talk to a therapist. You could also talk with your doctor to get safe medication that doesn’t mess with your brain chemicals.
4. Get Adequate Sleep
According to the National Institute of Health, sleep is vital for keeping the respiratory system, hormones, and immune system functioning. Sleep helps your body produce the necessary hormones to support pregnancy and keep your body healthy. Sleep deprivation can not only make you cranky but also compromise your health.
If you have sleep problems, visit a sleep doctor to chart the most appropriate medical response. It would help if you let them know you’re trying to conceive so they don’t prescribe you medicine that could jeopardize your chances of getting pregnant.
Millions of women in America and the world face infertility challenges, and millions seek artificial fertility treatments. It’s best to take care of your body as it prepares to care for another being. By applying the above scientifically-backed tips, you’ll give your body the best chance to get pregnant.
