Strategies to Optimize Your IVF Success

The numbers surrounding fertility issues in the United States are high — 12-13 couples out of 100 experience problems getting pregnant. To address the issue, many couples turn to assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro fertilization, which now accounts for 1.7% of births in the US.

Our team’s goal here at IVFMD is to ensure that you get the most out of your IVF cycles. To help accomplish this, this post presents some strategies you can implement before and during your IVF journey that can optimize your chances for success.

Preparing for IVF

There are several steps you should take before beginning your IVF journey, which include:

Evaluating your egg reserve

One of the most important factors when it comes to IVF is having a good reserve of viable eggs. If you have short menstrual cycles, hot flashes in between your periods, low anti-mullerian hormone levels, or low antral follicle counts during the first few days of your period, these may be signs of low ovarian reserve.

If we determine that your egg reserves are low, we can implement certain measures to optimize egg recruitment, mainly by using targeted hormone therapies.

Watching your weight

Women who have a BMI higher than 32 reduce their chances of IVF success considerably. If you’re carrying extra pounds, we recommend that you seek a medically supervised weight-loss program to achieve a healthier weight range.

Making some lifestyle changes

Before you embark on your IVF journey, we urge you to make some changes to your lifestyle. For example, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and it also increases your chances of a successful IVF cycle.

As well, keeping stress levels low can greatly improve your reproductive health. High stress can suppress your natural production of follicle-stimulating hormones. Some great ways to manage stress include meditation, yoga, and acupuncture.

Boosting your system

Before we begin your IVF process, we may recommend supplements and vitamins to boost your health and make up for any deficiencies you may have. These supplements may include:

• Antioxidants
• Coenzyme Q10
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
• Vitamin D

We’re happy to sit down with you to review the best supplements for your unique needs.

Preparing for your embryo transfer

As we get into your IVF cycle and begin to prepare for your embryo transfer, you should follow these strategies:

• Take your progesterone as instructed
• Avoid antihistamines
• Add bromelain to your diet (pineapple juice is a great source)

You may want to consider embryo transfer during a frozen cycle, as your uterus may not readily accept the embryo during a live IVF cycle because of the medications and hormones you’re taking.

Thanks to an innovative technique called vitrification, we’re able to flash freeze your embryo without harming it in any way. When it comes time for implantation, we simply thaw your embryo, which is every bit as viable as a live embryo.

As we get closer to your transfer, we may implement additional strategies to optimize your success, including a trial transfer or “uterine scratching” to prepare your uterus.

Rest assured, we go over all of this information — and more — before we get started on your IVF journey. To learn more about increasing your chances of becoming pregnant with IVF, please contact one of our locations in Irving, Grapevine, or Arlington, Texas, to set up an appointment.

The numbers surrounding fertility issues in the United States are high — 12-13 couples out of 100 experience problems getting pregnant. To address the issue, many couples turn to assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro fertilization, which now accounts for 1.7% of births in the US.

Our team’s goal here at IVFMD is to ensure that you get the most out of your IVF cycles. To help accomplish this, this post presents some strategies you can implement before and during your IVF journey that can optimize your chances for success.

Preparing for IVF

There are several steps you should take before beginning your IVF journey, which include:

Evaluating your egg reserve

One of the most important factors when it comes to IVF is having a good reserve of viable eggs. If you have short menstrual cycles, hot flashes in between your periods, low anti-mullerian hormone levels, or low antral follicle counts during the first few days of your period, these may be signs of low ovarian reserve.

If we determine that your egg reserves are low, we can implement certain measures to optimize egg recruitment, mainly by using targeted hormone therapies.

Watching your weight

Women who have a BMI higher than 32 reduce their chances of IVF success considerably. If you’re carrying extra pounds, we recommend that you seek a medically supervised weight-loss program to achieve a healthier weight range.

Making some lifestyle changes

Before you embark on your IVF journey, we urge you to make some changes to your lifestyle. For example, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and it also increases your chances of a successful IVF cycle.

As well, keeping stress levels low can greatly improve your reproductive health. High stress can suppress your natural production of follicle-stimulating hormones. Some great ways to manage stress include meditation, yoga, and acupuncture.

Boosting your system

Before we begin your IVF process, we may recommend supplements and vitamins to boost your health and make up for any deficiencies you may have. These supplements may include:

• Antioxidants
• Coenzyme Q10
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
• Vitamin D

We’re happy to sit down with you to review the best supplements for your unique needs.

Preparing for your embryo transfer

As we get into your IVF cycle and begin to prepare for your embryo transfer, you should follow these strategies:

• Take your progesterone as instructed
• Avoid antihistamines
• Add bromelain to your diet (pineapple juice is a great source)

You may want to consider embryo transfer during a frozen cycle, as your uterus may not readily accept the embryo during a live IVF cycle because of the medications and hormones you’re taking.

Thanks to an innovative technique called vitrification, we’re able to flash freeze your embryo without harming it in any way. When it comes time for implantation, we simply thaw your embryo, which is every bit as viable as a live embryo.

As we get closer to your transfer, we may implement additional strategies to optimize your success, including a trial transfer or “uterine scratching” to prepare your uterus.

Rest assured, we go over all of this information — and more — before we get started on your IVF journey. To learn more about increasing your chances of becoming pregnant with IVF, please contact one of our locations in Irving, Grapevine, or Arlington, Texas, to set up an appointment.