Starting a family is a momentous occasion for any couple. Choosing to bring new life into the world is a beautiful miracle. However, for some couples, conceiving a child may be a difficult journey. But that’s where a new type of miracle comes in…
Couples who have trouble conceiving may choose to turn to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Developed about 45 years ago, IVF aids couples who cannot conceive naturally by combining egg and sperm outside of the body in a lab setting. Embryos are then placed back into the women’s uterus. This treatment helps with individuals who struggle with any number of infertility issues including endometriosis, poor sperm quality, tubal disease, or ovulation disorders to name a few. If you’re considering a journey with IVF, here are a few tips to maximize your chances of conception.
Listen To The Experts
Like any medical procedure, IVF has been carefully practiced and perfected by fertility specialists around the world. Therefore, the first tip for success is to find a great fertility clinic and listen to the experts working on your case.
When it comes to your future family, you don’t want to trust just anyone. For example, on the west coast, you’ll want to search for the “best fertility clinic Los Angeles.”* With an over 50% success rate (average in America is around 38%), they are in the business of helping hopeful parents of all kinds to start their families. Experts will monitor your risks and chances of success coming into the process. So follow along with their recommendations for medications, supplements, diet, and exercise. The biggest tip for success is to trust your doctors and follow their explicit instructions.
Medications
A big part of the IVF journey involves mediations and supplements. For the ladies, your main medication helps stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs. Rather than an average month where you release one egg, during IVF, doctors retrieve multiple eggs so they can create more embryos to strengthen the chance of success. You’ll also take progesterone to help strengthen the lining of the uterus and help avoid the chance of a miscarriage. While those are the two essential medications for the treatment, you also may want to speak with your doctor about health supplements and prenatal vitamins.
Keep Those “Swimmers” Strong
While the men don’t have to commit to a strict drug regiment like the ladies, there are still ways you can help to keep your sperm strong. The biggest one is to avoid ejaculation for several days before you provide your sample at the lab. Keeping your swimmers strong will help lab specialists by giving them healthy sperm to work with when creating embryos.
Lower Financial Stress
Because of the specialization of these medications and procedures, it can be an expensive venture. Saving up for fertility treatment is a must. Only about half of states have laws or policies statewide about fertility coverage on individual health plans. Check out private health insurance plans. Chances are you may be able to negotiate at least partial coverage for fertility care. Good health insurance providers want to help you with all your health needs, including starting a family. Just have a realistic idea of all the medical expenses before you begin. By lowering stress or strain about your finances, you’ll increase the chances of a successful pregnancy with little stress.
Healthy Lifestyle
One of the biggest factors to successful conception is weight; therefore, maintaining your health during your IVF cycle is of maximum importance. Studies show obesity can decrease success rates for fertility treatments. Maintaining a healthy BMI will keep your risks lower and lead to better chances of carrying a pregnancy full term. So exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking are definite factors in helping with conception.
Beyond your physical health, make sure you are conscious of your mental health care. Fertility services are often strenuous and can cause stress for future parents. Be sure you are taking care of yourself as well. Understand that this is a difficult process but with the best doctors, excellent care, and support from each other, you’ll get through it with a happy, healthy baby at the end of your journey.
*Name: Pacific Fertility Center Los Angeles Address: 10921 Wilshire Blvd Ste 700, Los Angeles, CA 90024 Phone: (310) 209-7700