Healthy Lifestyle Choices While Undergoing IVF Treatment
Many of my IVF patients procrastinate on making healthy lifestyle changes before treatment. If you are contemplating IVF treatment, you must begin healthy lifestyle habits at least six months before you begin the process to prepare your body for pregnancy. Don’t wait until you are pregnant to get serious about a healthy lifestyle. Good lifestyle choices will greatly boost your fertility and help you have a healthy baby.
Preparing for IVF Treatment
A successful IVF is greatly supplemented by a patient’s reliable fertility diet and healthy body mass index. I always offer my patients helpful resources by recommending they avoid detrimental lifestyle choices.
This is true regardless of your chosen IVF protocol.
Begin an Acupuncture Regimen
Without a doubt, beginning acupuncture treatment three months before your IVF transfer will enhance your chances of a successful pregnancy. Studies have shown that women who underwent acupuncture before, during and after IVF embryo transfer increased their chances of pregnancy by up to 42 percent. Why is this important? The pregnancy success rate of those who did not undergo acupuncture was only 26 percent.
In-House Acupuncture Therapy and IVF
These phenomenal IVF success rates are why New Hope Fertility NYC unveiled its in-house acupuncture therapy treatment program in July of 2017! Our acupuncturists are specially trained in acupuncture therapy with a focus on treating women’s infertility. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes for Health have found that acupuncture is a viable and accepted method of treating female infertility.
- Enhances IVF success rates
- Reduces stress during IVF treatment
- Enhance ovarian function
- Increase blood supply to reproductive organs – especially the uterus
The IVF Embryo Transfer Acupuncture Plan
Acupuncture can begin at any time during your fertility treatment – but this is the best plan of action:
- Plan an acupuncture treatment on the morning of your transfer
- Plan another in the afternoon following your transfer
- Book an acupuncture session five days after your transfer
- Book a follow up acupuncture session 5 to 7 days later
Other Lifestyle Changes
Starting a folic acid supplement regimen will increase your chances of maintaining a pregnancy and reduce the risk of birth defects.
Foods with folic acid:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Fresh fruits
- Dried beans, peas, nuts
- Enriched breads, cereals, other whole grain products
- Ask your fertility specialist to prescribe folic acid as a dietary supplement
Reduce Your Alcohol Intake
I recommend abstaining from all alcohol during IVF treatment. Studies show that women over 30 who drank seven or more alcoholic beverages a week were twice as likely not to conceive. Cutting out alcohol altogether while you try for a baby is the best plan because, once you conceive, your cravings for a drink will be diminished. If you don’t abstain completely from alcohol, follow these recommendations:
- No more than three glasses of red wine per week
- No more than 3 alcoholic drinks per week
- Red wine is preferred over hard alcohol
Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine – in coffee, tea, and soda – can have an adverse effect on female fertility. It’s best to cut caffeine out altogether to boost your fertility level and prepare for a healthy pregnancy. Drinking more than 300 mg of caffeine per day – 2 to 3 cups of coffee – has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
Eat Healthy Proteins
Eating healthy proteins helps to maintain blood sugar balance. This balance gives your body the even supply of nutrients it needs for producing hormones and supporting a healthy reproductive system.
- Chicken
- Lean red meats
- Soy beans
- Fresh fish, such as salmon, tilapia, cod (no canned tuna because of high mercury levels)
- Eggs
- Beans, legumes, lentils, chickpeas
- Nuts and seeds
IVF Pregnancy Success Specialist – Dr. John Zhang
For more helpful resources on how you can increase your chances of pregnancy through IVF, contact Dr. John Zhang.
Schedule your initial consultation with Dr. John Zhang, call 917-525-5496.
