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Motherhood and happiness are almost synonymous. If you are desperate for a child or plan to have a baby you will understand this feeling much better.

With almost 10%-15% of women finding it difficult to get pregnant, the infertility rates are bothersome and are further expected to rise because of the lifestyle and stress in today’s world. 

With nearly 1 out of 8 women having difficulty in getting pregnant and giving birth to a child, infertility treatments are gaining popularity.

IVF or In-vitro fertilization is the most frequently chosen infertility treatment. In this procedure, the woman’s egg is fertilized with the sperm outside the uterus in a clinically controlled environment and the embryo is either frozen or transferred to the woman’s uterus. 

IVF is a process of one or more cycles depending on the success of the treatment. With the increase in the number of cycles, the costs also rise.

It is natural for a couple to be anxious, disturbed, or full of emotions because of uncertainty and the rising costs of IVF.

Dr. Shivani Bhutani is a leading infertility expert of Punjab and she suggests that for the success of IVF, the man and the woman must prepare their bodies and mind almost three months prior to the treatment.

5 Precautions for the Female before the IVF Process

Women have to go through a lot during the ‘pregnancy trying’ phase. Dr. Shivani from EVA Hospital says that stress is one major reason for the difficulty in pregnancy.

She lists a few dos and don’ts for success in IVF. Here is a list of precautions that a female must follow from almost three months prior to IVF:

1. Pregnancy Booster Diet

A healthy diet full of vitamins, fiber, and nutrients is a must before an IVF. Dr. Shivani endorses a Mediterranean diet to her patients. She insists on including plant-based colorful fruits and vegetables on the plate.

Mediterranean diet is proved to enhance the chances of IVF pregnancy in non-obese women below 35 years of age. Even the male partner should follow certain precautions and focus on this diet for enhanced sperm production.

The couple should introduce lean protein (fish, poultry), whole grains (like quinoa, whole-wheat pasta), and legumes like beans, chickpeas, lentils in the diet on a regular basis. You must switch to low-fat dairy products and incorporate nuts and seeds in the diet for their high nutritional value. 

You must strictly avoid red meat, sugar, refined grains, and other packaged and processed foods. IVF will be successful sooner if you follow the right type of diet.

2. Work out and Exercise

You may be caught in the battle of to-exercise or not-to-exercise as according to you it may harm the IVF treatment. However, Dr. Shivani has tremendous experience in infertility and she strongly recommends continuity in the fitness regime. Yoga, swimming, and walking are strongly recommended. You must seek permission from your doctor before speedrunning or hitting the gym.

3. Avoid Chemicals and Certain Medications

Certain chemicals can disrupt the functioning of the endocrine and are usually found in regular routine products. Some of them are:

• Formaldehyde (found in nail polish)
• BPA and other phenols (found in food packages made of plastics)
• Parabens (found in commonly used items like cosmetics, lip balms, moisturizers, and soap)
• Perfluorinated compounds (found in most commonly used non-stick pans and stain-resistant materials), etc. 

These are a few chemicals that are found in items of daily use and a strict note must be made of the same.

Dr. Shivani also recommends against the use of certain medications and the doctor must be apprised of the use of the same. Some such drugs are listed below:

• Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen found in Advil, Combiflam, etc. 
• Anti-depressant medicines
• Steroids for asthma or any other purpose
• Thyroid Medications
• Chemotherapy Drugs
• Certain skin products which contain estrogen and progesterone

Your gynecologist must be aware of medications of any type that you have been taking.

4. Induce the Intake of Supplements

Supplements nurture the body and help in supporting pregnancy. Pre-natal vitamin-Folic acid is a must to include in your daily regime almost two to three months before IVF and pregnancy. It is an essential vitamin for the brain and body of the fetus. Also, Dr. Shivani recommends fish oil and supplements of Vitamin D after consulting the doctor. Supplements support the strong health of the mother and the fetus alike.

5. Rest, Sleep and Stay Stress-Free

A stress-free lifestyle and mind are likely to get pregnant faster. So the doctors advocate seven to eight hours of sleep daily along with a stress-free lifestyle. Both the man and the woman must incorporate activities like yoga and meditation for enhancing fertility and calmness in mind and relationship.

Before bedtime, you may listen to soft music or read a light book and limit the screen-time almost an hour before sleep. These activities are likely to increase the happiness quotient and can make your lifestyle stress-free.

Over to You

Pregnancy and IVF are no rocket science. Dr. Shivani, the best fertility expert in Punjab, states that incorporating some lifestyle changes and a positive frame of mind are quintessential for a successful IVF and pregnancy.

For any kind of advice or prenatal consultation, get in touch with Dr. Shivani at EVA Hospital, Ludhiana, and enjoy your way to parenthood.