Couples face many questions before preparing for IVF. How to prepare? Where to begin? How will lifestyle change? What rules should be observed at this crucial moment? After all, proper preparation for artificial insemination is already 50% of the fact that everything will be successful. It should be understood that it is important not only to be examined, but also to conduct this preparatory period correctly, which means to follow certain rules.
What is IVF?
In vitro fertilization is a method of therapy for problems with reproductive function in women. It is carried out after special training, which is appointed by a specialist based on the problems of the couple.
It is worth noting that tests before IVF are given by both partners. Therefore, preparation implies joint adherence to certain rules. This applies not only to the rejection of bad habits, but also to a significantpatience when carrying out various manipulations.
How long does IVF preparation take?
Many couples are wondering how long this period can last. The preparation time is determined on a case-by-case basis. First, both partners undergo a comprehensive examination and, based on the presence of he alth problems, the period required for the artificial insemination procedure is determined.
If the couple does not have significant contraindications, fertilization, as a rule, is carried out after three months or six months. This is the period when hormonal preparations are taken, which improves the quality of the genetic material. They call it "stimulation" before IVF.
Some patients who are contraindicated in taking hormones may be fertilized in a natural cycle without medical preparation. The period, duration and features of the preparation are carried out by reproductologists and embryologists. Some couples additionally undergo psychological therapy or counseling in order to avoid the possibility of developing infertility, which occurs against the background of psychological factors.
List of common pre-fertilization tests
A couple who don't know where to start preparing for IVF should know that it is important to pass all the necessary tests.
The obligatory manipulations of both partners include:
- blood test for syphilis, hepatitis and HIV infection;
- PCR method to detect possible sexual infections;
- biochemistryblood conditions;
- hormonal balance;
- Rh factor of both partners (infertility is possible with opposite indications);
- urinalysis.
This is a list of required tests. If abnormalities are found, the doctor may prescribe an additional examination. This is necessary in order to minimize the negative consequences for the baby and so that the period of fertilization and childbearing passes without problems.
Steps of preparation for the expectant mother
Preparation for fertilization begins first of all with the expectant mother. She must understand that the success of the fertilization process in the first place depends on her he alth and preparation. Preparation for IVF for a woman is prescribed by a reproductive specialist. It all starts with a comprehensive and general examination, from a blood test for various indicators to an ultrasound examination, colposcopy and hysterosalpingography, when the fallopian tubes and their patency are examined.
Special attention is given to a woman who has chronic diseases, had miscarriages or miscarriages in the past. Additionally, the expectant mother, who has already had children with pathologies, undergoes karyotyping. This is a survey of the quality and number of chromosomes of a married couple. The Plasmolifting procedure is performed by women to increase the success of the attachment of the embryo in the uterus during the fertilization procedure.
How long the preparation for IVF for a woman is determined by the doctor, based on the identified deviations, both in the he alth and in the reproductive function of the expectant mother. The first thing a woman should do is to adhere to the rules of a he althy lifestyle and eat well. It is also worth minimizing possible psychological stress and it is important to believe in yourself. Positive attitude comes first.
Mom's food
An important component in the successful preparation for IVF is the diet and diet of the expectant mother. In order for the child to be successfully formed, this process and the restructuring of the body must begin long before the process of conception.
Required products that are included in the diet of a woman in preparation for fertilization:
- dairy products that increase calcium levels in the body;
- cereals that normalize the digestive tract;
- fruits and vegetables depending on the season, which will enrich the body with vitamins and minerals in its natural form;
- lean meat, nuts, bananas, eggs.
Don't get carried away with caffeine, which can affect the work of the heart and alcohol, which depresses all functions in the body.
Steps of preparation for the future father
In the process of preparing for IVF, men will also have to pass a number of tests:
- Qualitative composition of sperm (spermogram, which is given when abstinence from sexual activity for an average of five days);
- HIV and hepatitis test;
- examination of material from the urethra for the presence of genital infections;
- Ultrasound of the male genital organs.
In case of any deviations in the mandatory tests, additional ones are submitted together withconsultations with various specialists.
Regarding men, it is difficult to answer the question of how much time the future dad will need to prepare. For some, it’s enough just to change their lifestyle and all indicators will return to normal. With a low content of sperm count in semen (in 40% of cases), special preparations are prescribed for men. If the spouse does not have live spermatozoa in the semen at all (severe infertility), not IVF is performed, but ICSI (sperm injection into the oocyte cytoplasm).
It is important for men to refuse to visit saunas during the preparation period, since the production of high-quality spermatozoa occurs at a temperature not higher than +34°C. You should also give up physical activity or vice versa a sedentary lifestyle.
Users on the forums who have gone through the IVF procedure note that it is important for men:
- follow your doctor's recommendations for taking your medications;
- appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures, it is important not to miss sessions of such therapy;
- put a taboo on bad habits and going to the sauna;
- minimize the impact of negative environmental factors on the body (this applies to those who work in hazardous industries);
- diet;
- do not overexert physically;
- visit psychologist's consultations.
Dad's food
The nutrition of the future father consists not only in taking special vitamins before IVF, but also in observing a certain diet. It is diet that can significantly improve sperm quality. Importantgive up fatty and s alty foods, which only clog the body and increase cholesterol levels. Legumes and alcohol affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It is worth including foods high in vitamin C in the diet, as well as taking additional folic or ascorbic acid, in addition to vegetables and fruits.
Correction of lifestyle for future parents
Expectant parents in the process of preparing for IVF should radically reconsider their lives. The success of fertilization directly depends on this.
General advice given to both spouses in most cases is as follows:
- Prohibition of alcohol and nicotine.
- Coffee - only 1 cup a day.
- It is worth avoiding both hypothermia and overheating of the body.
- Timely therapy in the presence of chronic diseases.
- Sleep at least 8 hours a night.
- Comfortable psychological environment.
All stages of preparation for IVF for both partners can be divided into the following groups in the main areas:
- Diet. Both a man and a woman should eat normally and variedly. Taboo on products containing chemical additives and preservatives, as well as the rejection of heavy food. Diet at least 5 times a day in small portions. Weight correction, if there are problems with this, which normalizes the level of hormonal levels.
- Drinking. Compliance with the water regime, at least 2 liters of fluid per day, if there are no pathologies inwork of the heart and kidneys. Water cleanses the body of toxins, and with their high presence and during hormone intake, ovarian hyperstimulation may occur, which is a deviation from the norm and can reduce the success of fertilization.
- Drugs. Medicines are taken at the time and in the amount prescribed by the doctor. Their appearance depends on the individual indications of the partners and their age.
- Physical activity. It is important not to overdo it here. For a woman, swimming, walking and oriental dancing are well suited. The last type of physical activity is good because the pelvic organs are involved there. Loads on these organs lead to an improvement in blood supply in the reproductive organs.
- Vaccination. A woman should have all vaccinations according to her age. Additionally, you can protect the body from the flu. This is done 3 months before the planned IVF procedure.
Psychological preparation
How to start preparing for IVF? Any specialist will say that with a positive psychological attitude. In addition, conducting an examination and changing the quality and lifestyle is an additional stress for the body. And at this moment, the main thing is to support each other and not to think that something might not work out.
To calm down, you can drink a course of sedatives, but it is better to seek help from a psychologist who will help relieve such an increased emotional load during this period. It is also important to enlist the support of close and dear people and minimize contacts with personsprovoking conflict.
It is important that both partners are sure that everything will go well and they will finally become parents for the most desirable baby on Earth.
What reduces the chances of successful fertilization?
There are some factors that can increase the risk of miscarriage and reduce the chances of successful fertilization.
These include:
- inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs (the acidity and the inner membrane of the organs change, in which case the embryos may not take root);
- abortions (any surgical intervention in the uterine cavity violates its structure, the walls become too thin, so the embryo will have nothing to catch on);
- low sperm count in the partner's semen (this may be due to hypovitaminosis, genital infections, taking medications or working in a factory with harmful emissions);
- chronic diseases (improper functioning of some organs can affect the performance of the ovaries);
- age (after 40 years, even with IVF, it is more difficult to get pregnant, because the number of follicles in women who are responsible for fertilization decreases with age);
- Wrong choice of IVF clinic. It is important to trust your he alth only to specialists and medical institutions with a high level of trust and service). For example, in Moscow IVF can be done in one of the following clinics: "Mama" (Raskova St., 32), "Nova Clinic" (Lobachevsky St., 20), "ECO-Assistance"(Prospect Mira 184/1), etc.
What should I avoid when preparing?
In preparation for successful fertilization, you should lead a he althy and active lifestyle, but do not overdo it with physical activity.
Things to Avoid:
- stress and difficult psychological situations;
- smoking and alcohol;
- hypothermia and drafts, which can lead to inflammation;
- overheating in the bath, bath or sauna.
Despite the fact that there are many recommendations on the Internet regarding the preparation process, it is important to listen only to the doctor in this case.
Preparing for the second attempt
Quite often the first procedure fails. This may be due to the wrong choice of IVF clinic, specialist, not following all the doctor's prescriptions. But most couples do not despair and after a short time decide on a new embryo transfer.
This means that you will have to go all the way again, from examinations to taking medications. It is important at this stage to focus on the good physical shape of both partners and their emotional state. If the future dad has low quality sperm, then immediately before replanting it is frozen, which increases its shelf life.
Conclusion
Medical technology and opportunities do not stand still, which allows any couple who dream of procreation to have a baby. Preparation for IVF (nutrition, lifestyle) is, of course, important, but the main thing for a married coupletune in to a positive outcome and not despair.
