preparing for IVF

[DuelingFanjo]

Hi there.

My treatment planning appointment is later this week and I thik I will probably have about a month to prepare.

Have looked online for info about diet and fitness and preparing myself to be in the best shape possible for IVF. Does anyone have any good tips for me?

I am not massively overweight; could maybe lose a few pounds but am happy with my weight. Have decided not to drink alcohol between now and then and am drinking 2 litres of water daily and cutting out caffine.

What else should I do?

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Hi - this thread is a little old. [[https://www.mumsnet.com/conception/ivf
If you want to find out about IVF, we’ve got more information here]]. MNHQ

[piprabbit]

Take folic acid.

Try and get relaxed too - perhaps some massage or yoga (whatever floats your boat when it comes to reducing your stress level).

best of luck.

[spongebrainbigpants]

Sounds like you're doing everything right to me .

I made sure I took some gentle exercise every day - more to cope with the stress than anything else - got lots of rest and planned plenty of non-foodie treats.

During the 2ww I was advised to drink a glass of pineapple juice each day and eat brazil nuts - something to do with implantation but I forget what!

Good luck .

[DuelingFanjo]

thank you. Would it be worth me either going back to Reflexology or maybe trying some Accupuncture? I will have the IVF fairly soon I think (Though will know more at the end of the week) so not sure what good something like that will do in the next couple of weeks.

I'm only going to get one shot at it unless I can fund privately in the future and I am almost 40 so want to try to do everything I can.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

You may also want to read "The IVF Revolution" written by Prof Robert Winston.

Good luck to you with the forthcoming IVF cycle.

[spongebrainbigpants]

I had acupuncture with all three of mine but can't honestly remember how early I started it.

I carried it onto the 20th wk with my pg.

But then I know plenty of women who've had successful IVF without it so don't worry too much.

[DuelingFanjo]

Thank you Atilla, I have ordered the book.

[chocolaterabbit]

I would definitely do acupuncture - had it before my round of 'proper IVF' and then again before FET. Acupuncture really helped me feel like I was doing everything possible.

The other thing I found helpful was stocking up on murder mystery type books - Agatha Christie etc to read on the 2WW and some comedy pod casts to listen to in hospital following recovery from egg collection and the implantation. I found it really helpful and am convinced it made a difference.

[DuelingFanjo]

thanks Chocolate Rabbit. I am not sure how long they keep me in after the egg collection but I am planning on taking a couple of days off work afterwards and after the transfer.

Any other advice would be gratefully received.

What happens at a treatment planning appointment?

[chocolaterabbit]

Following egg collection, I was kep in for what felt like 1 hour or so but was probably closer to 6. I spent most of it demanding DH fetch me a bacon sandwich. Certainly not overnight though.

You will have to have someone at home with you for 24 hours afterwards but there is no surgery involved IYSWIM, it is a needle up the fanjo so all done under very strong painkillers.

Treatment plan will be to work out when your cycle will start so when you need to start taking the sniff surpressing things probably. I think you have those for 2-3 weeks until your system is shut down and then the follicle producing hormones until there are some lovely follicles to collect.

Good luck. I found it harder emotionally than physically so anything to keep yourself cheerful is good.

[DuelingFanjo]

Thank you
My cycle was 22 ays last month and 26 the month before so I guess they send you away with all the stuff you need if you can't be sure?

I didn't realise I would have to wait 2 weeks before the hormones! At least this gives me a bit more time if I decide on acupuncture

[piprabbit]

Ooh - definitely be ready to take more time off work around egg collection. For me it was the most painful part of the process, I couldn't sit or lay in a comfortable position (and so couldn't sleep either) and definitely wasn't able to commute to work. If I'd been able to plan for a week off work in advance - I'd have been less stressed.

I know that with lots of people it's fine - but I think I had a mild dose of OHSS and would have liked to have been a bit more prepared for feeling bad during the 2WW.

[DuelingFanjo]

erk, I only have 4 days holiday left and am not sure if I want to tell my boss that I am having IVF. Maybe this will be the decider?

[piprabbit]

I didn't officially tell - had 1 day off for the egg collection and then had to call in sick. Work were fine, but I'd have prefered to have been able to organise my workload in advance instead of stewing at home about my inbox filling up with crap essential business communications.

In the end I told my immediate supervisor and asked her too keep it confedential. She did such a good job that several people I worked with didn't even realise i was pregnant until I handed round the cakes on the day I started maternity leave.

[DuelingFanjo]

Am thinking I will tell my boss I am having some tests and a gynecological procedure and then if I do react badly I could call in and say I am too unwell.

[piprabbit]

Sounds like a good plan too me.

I think I have a few control freak tendencies, and before my cycle started I was very worried about lots of little bits of time off work - going in late etc. but my clinic were very well sorted and plotted out the exact days everything would be happening for me (once the cycel started). So I could plan ahead a bit and come up with some excuses.

Luckily my egg transfer happened on a Saturday so work were none the wiser.

You might also want to think about what you are going to say to family and friends. For example, my parents knew we were planning to do IVF and they knew that we were visiting the clinic 'for assessments' (as they looked after DD when necessary), but I didn't want them plotting my dates and waiting for the end of the 2WW - so I was vague about what was happening and when we would know if it was successful.

[DuelingFanjo]

Thanks Pip. A lot of people know I am going to have IVF but I am being vague about when if I can be. My closest workmate knows as she had fertility issues many years ago and so is very sympathetic, plus she's been the one person who has sat and listened to me day in and day out. Actually I probably owe her a hug and a big bunch of flowers! As far as I know she's the only person in work who knows.

I'll probably tell my sister too, and my mum.

[Caitni]

Sounds like you're doing good things already .

I (vaguely) followed Zita West's advice in her guide to fertility and conception. The way I got ready was to take folic acid and a multi vitamin, lots of water (min 2 litres), gentle exercise, and kept stress to a minimum - eg I didn't let work get to me (called in sick from egg collection until after embryo transfer - about 6/7 days in total, although did have to get a sick note for that) and actually listened to a natal hypnosis CD. I also went to regular acupuncture sessions, although it's really acupuncture before and afer embryo transfer that has shown to be of some benefit in IVF. If you're in London I really rate Ian at Balance Acupuncture. He specialises in fertility, so really understood what I was going through, and really helped keep me calm and relaxed (as much as I could be).

Anyway, worked first time for me so really hope the same for you. It's not as bad as people make out...

[Caitni]

PS don't worry too much about the weight. I managed to get pregnant via IVF/ICSI at my heaviest (BMI 26/27 ish - lots of comfort eating in the run up to IVF!) and it hasn't been a problem - I've only put on less than 2.5 stone (am 35 weeks pregnant today).

[DuelingFanjo]

Thank you Caitni, and congratulations!