How to Stay Healthy During IVF Treatments

How to Stay Healthy During IVF Treatments

IVF treatments greatly increase your chances of a successful pregnancy, but the process is not without its challenges. Your body will go through numerous changes during this process. Fertility drugs are a key part of the IVF process, and these medications cause fluctuations in hormone levels. There are some side effects that you won’t be able to prevent, but you still need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep your body in good shape.

At Palm Beach Fertility, we want to provide you with a holistic fertility treatment plan. Our experienced staff will help you manage the symptoms of IVF and keep you healthy throughout the entire process. Below, you will find basic tips to improve your health during IVF.

Stay Active

Exercising always has health benefits, and it’s even more beneficial when undergoing IVF. However, you can’t exercise as vigorously as you would normally. The more active you are, the better your chances for a successful pregnancy, but you need to stick to moderate exercises.

Exercise can help manage your weight, relieve stress, regulate hormones, and most importantly, lower insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone produced by the body to process glucose (sugar) in the blood. High insulin levels can damage your eggs.

Recommended exercises for IVF patients include:

• Walking
• Yoga
• Stationary bike exercise
• Swimming
• Jogging
• Light hand weight lifting
• Tai Chi

Do not start any exercise routine without talking to your doctor. Your body goes through many changes during IVF, and there may be phases where you need to stop physical activity altogether. Don’t push yourself too hard, putting too much strain on your body does more harm than good.

Create an IVF-Healthy Diet

Nutrition is always important, but especially so during IVF. Eat only healthy, balanced meals during this time, and don’t start any extreme diet program. Maintain a consistent eating schedule of three meals a day and avoid snacking. You want your diet to be as steady and predictable as possible.

Keep the following in mind when dieting for IVF:

• Maintain a high ratio of fruits and vegetables
• Eat home-cooked meals where you know what’s going into your food
• Avoid frozen or processed foods
• Incorporate more whole grains into your diet (brown rice, whole-grain pasta, quinoa)
• Stick to lean meats like fish and chicken while avoiding red meat
• Choose low-fat dairy products
• Limit or cut out alcohol consumption

Talk to your doctor before starting a new diet during IVF. A medical professional familiar with your medical history and current IVF treatment will be better equipped to help you build a healthy diet.

Look After Your Mental Health

Struggles with fertility are frustrating, and the hormone changes that come with IVF can make those feelings more difficult. From managing finances to trying to stay healthy, many stressful factors arise during this time. It’s important to look after your emotional and mental wellbeing.

Many therapists specialize in fertility issues and can counsel you through this process. If you don’t have access to a therapist, try making time to meditate or find a friend you can vent too. Talking to your partner is helpful sometimes, but it’s good to have a third party who is separated from this situation that can hear you out. You need a good support system during this time.

Some people undergoing IVF experience depression and anxiety. If you’re suffering from these symptoms, ask your doctor about medications that would be safe to take with your IVF treatment.

You’re Can Do This

Staying healthy during IVF can seem like a challenge at first, but as you incorporate these tips into your daily life they will feel less intimidating. You need to look out for yourself during this time. Remember that staying healthy doesn’t just benefit you now, it benefits you, your partner, and your future child long-term. The Palm Beach Fertility team will be by your side every step of the way.

Ready to start your IVF treatment? Call Palm Beach Fertility today at 888.819.5177.