Preparing for IVF
Preparing for IVF
Starting your fertility treatment is a big step and can be quite stressful, you’ll want an experienced team to answer your questions at iTrust Fertility we want to look after our patients every step of the way. We understand that you will want to look at other clinics and we want to help you during that stage. Our team are more than happy for you to call us or book an initial call free of charge, or if you would like to look around our clinics you can come for a tour at one of our free open evenings.
Most patients will look at the following factors when they are deciding where they would like to have treatment;
- Clinic location
- Costs
- Reputation and Success rates
- Access to NHS funding
- Treatments
- The team – are they supportive?
Is this the right clinic for you?
At iTrust fertility we understand how emotional starting treatment can be, you must be sure that the clinic is right for you before you start your IVF. So, take your time to choose a clinic that prioritises patient care and they understand your needs. Even travelling to a clinic can add stress, so think about practical things like public transport, parking, opening times all these things do make a difference.
At iTrust all our clinics offer parking because we understand how important this is, Our clinics are also located very closely to the train stations and public transport..
We always put our patients first, everyone can expect a friendly face when they visit our clinics.
Factors to consider before you start your fertility treatment
Diet
If you are interested in how to increase fertility naturally, being aware of what you eat is the one of the best natural ways to increase fertility.
Good nutrition will help with fertility and will produce more nutritious eggs and uterus, which will determine whether fertilisation, implantation and a viable pregnancy will occur.
Don’t forget to include the following in your diet;
- Drinking plenty of water – 1.5l per day
- Eat foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants deactivate the free radicals in your body which can damage egg cells. Fruit, veg and nuts are all high in antioxidants.
- Eat less carbs generally, but when you do eat carbs, go for complex-carbohydrates such sweet potato, oats, broccoli, courgette and swap your refined carbs, such as white bread for brown bread and white pasta for brown pasta etc.
- Go for your 5 a day of fruit and veg and eat the rainbow!
Caffeine
Cut down your caffeine in-take, as it can have a negative affect on female fertility and has been linked to taking longer to get pregnant, increased risk of miscarriage and infertility.
Try to keep it at a minimum!
Alcohol
Consuming alcohol has been linked to taking longer to get pregnant and other infertility issues. Consider limiting alcohol as much as possible where you can.
Smoking
Smoking is linked to a number of fertility issues such as:
- Taking longer to get pregnant
- Problems with fallopian tubes
- Damage to eggs as they are developing in the ovaries
If you are looking to get pregnant you should try to give up smoking completely.
Weight
Being aware of your weight is an important factor for fertility, both being overweight and underweight can have a negative effect on fertility.
To increase your fertility ensure you are a healthy weight and not have a BMI that is considered underweight or obese.
If you would like more information or would like to see our weight loss specialist at iTrust then call us today on 0203 960 6424.
Supplements are a good way to get a good dose of vital vitamins, minerals and nutrients we need in the body and may be deficient in. However, supplements should never be taken in place of a healthy diet.
Stress
Stress has been linked to infertility and can also result in us using unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking alcohol or smoking. It’s important to focus on your mental health and minimise stress where possible.
Exercise is important and is a great way to increase fertility, it can help with weight loss if you are over-weight. Gentle exercise such as walking, cycling, light jogging and yoga are all great options.
Sleep is important to reduce stress and keep ourselves feeling our best. It also helps repair damaged cells and to regulate our hormones. Try to get a regular sleep routine. Look into activities such as reading, meditation or stretching before bedtime.
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