| If you are wondering how to prepare for IVF | | | | how to prepare for IVF treatment is exercise. This is |
| treatment, there are a number of preparatory steps | | | | a time of life where too much exercise is not good, |
| you can take before the procedure begins. Like most | | | | as over-exercising can disrupt and even prevent |
| things in life, good preparation can make the | | | | ovulation. Moderate exercise, such as walking and |
| difference between success and failure. | | | | gentle swimming around 5 times a week for 30 |
| Of course, it goes without saying that you need to | | | | minutes a session. |
| have a full discussion with your doctor to discuss the | | | | There is some evidence to suggest that acupuncture |
| timing of fertility tests and a possible timescale for | | | | can enhance female fertility and a number of studies |
| your treatment. However, on the non-medical side, | | | | show remarkable success stories. You may therefore |
| there is much you can do to ensure that your body | | | | wish to ask your doctor if he or she can recommend |
| and that of your partner are ready for what is about | | | | a local practitioner who specialises in fertility issues. |
| to happen. | | | | It is also a good idea to make an honest appraisal of |
| One of the best steps you can is to take a good, | | | | your stress levels. If you feel stressed, then your |
| hard look at your diet and lifestyle. Try to cut out | | | | fertility could be impaired due to increased levels of |
| any behavior which are known to be detrimental to | | | | the stress hormone, cortisol. If this applies to you |
| your fertility. For example, both partners should cut | | | | (and there is no doubt that undergoing any type of |
| out smoking and alcohol and consider the necessity | | | | fertility treatment is very stressful at the best of |
| of any prescription medication either of you are | | | | times!) and you are looking at how to prepare for |
| taking, speaking to your doctor if necessary. You | | | | IVF treatment, then reducing your stress levels will |
| should both adhere to the principles of a healthy diet, | | | | certainly be beneficial. Think carefully about what |
| cutting out saturated fats, trans fats, processed | | | | relaxes you. Does using imagery help? How about |
| carbohydrate foods, refined sugars and non-organic | | | | reading or a gentle massage? To prepare for IVF |
| foods. Your diet should be based on fresh, | | | | treatment, you will probably find that speaking to |
| wholesome foods which are organic wherever | | | | your partner can help so keep the lines of |
| possible. You may also want to consider taking a | | | | communication open and keep talking. If you not just |
| supplement specially designed to provide the essential | | | | stressed but bordering on feeling depressed, then it |
| vitamins, minerals and micronutrients for pregnancy. | | | | could be worth visiting a counsellor. |
| Another area to look at is you are wanting to know | | | | |