Get prepared for IVF – Physically And Mentally
As you embark on your IVF journey, you are both excited and apprehensive at the same time. It is a trip that qualifies you for parenthood, providing a full life with a complete family.
Be optimistic as you turn the wheel for a positive flow of energy.
The best way to keep apprehensions aside is by preparing yourself, both mentally and physically.
Whenever we are prepared and have done our homework, nothing that comes our way takes us by surprise and we handle it gracefully.
Programming the mind prepares the body and turns the chemistry in your favor. And vice versa! Let us see how!
Preparing Yourself Physically Before IVF
Physical preparation for IVF includes lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise/ yoga.
Dietary Changes
When you start planning and preparing for IVF, you must begin with a few lifestyle changes. Incorporating these alterations early is the smart thing to do because it boosts fertility in both men and women, in several ways.
As a first, refrain from smoking, alcohol, drugs, and caffeine. These are known to influence fertility.
Nicotine compromises the quality of eggs in women and is also known to affect sperm mobility & count in men.
Energy drugs, certain supplements, and steroids also interfere with productivity, especially in males. Stop their usage two to three months before IVF.
Other diet alterations are aimed at optimizing the body mass index or BMI. A count below 35 is good. However, the ideal range is 18-25 for fertility. BMI is calculated as weight in kg divided by height in square meters.
Also, include vitamins, folic acid, nuts, and cod liver oil for a positive impact on physical health and reproductive organs.
Restorative Yoga for Fertility
Yoga is therapeutic. It has numerous benefits for overall health, but more importantly, it is beneficial in boosting fertility.
It stimulates the ovaries, purifies the basis of the energy cycle, and eliminates toxins. Additionally, helps overcome mood swings, makes the body flexible, and improves blood flow to the reproductive organs, facilitating a smooth delivery.
Yoga helps in two ways- Asanas/postures and Pranayama/ breathing exercises. Poses such as the Viparita Karani asana (Legs up the wall pose) and Baddha Konasana (Butterfly pose) among others improve flexibility, blood supply, and release of hormones for a healthy and reproductive body.
Anulom viloma and Bhramri, the alternative nostril, and humming bee breathing techniques are types of pranayama that purify the blood and calm the mind and body.
Prepare Yourself Mentally for IVF
As a mental preparation for IVF, possessing the right knowledge and frame of mind is the key.
Manage Stress
Life is already full without fertility issues. You have to juggle your job, the home, and social life all the time. High ambitions and a whirlwind lifestyle are causing fertility issues among people.
Ease and organize your timetable. Avoid anything disturbing. Focus on yourself and do things that make you happy. Keep nurturing the hobbies and “me-time”.
Secondly, build a support system. Of course, your spouse is there but Identify friends and relations with whom you are comfortable, to share feelings.
It is important to have someone to talk to as a vent to the roller coaster of emotions. However, do not let it intrude on your personal space when quiet is what you need.
Also, do not stress yourself unnecessarily about things that might not happen. Sharing is good, but do not listen to negative feeds that are not even relative.
You are in the hands of an expert. Our IVF specialists at Eva are eager to listen to and solve any query or apprehensions you may encounter.
Empower Yourself with Knowledge
Familiarize yourself with the meaning and process of IVF completely. When one lacks knowledge about something, one gets sidetracked, confused, and anxious unnecessarily.
As a couple, explore the subject and learn about it. You can search on the internet but do not get carried away with that information. Note down the questions. Your doctor is there to help you.
Approach the queries in your consultation session. Dr. Shivani Bhutani, an IVF specialist, says that the right knowledge about the procedure helps the patients remain calm and positive.
It makes the entire process of conception and pregnancy, favorable.