IVF preparation

[EmbarrassingMama]

My DH and I found out we needed IVF to conceive last week. We are going to jump straight in and I have a baseline scan in three weeks.

What should I be doing from today to improve our chances?

I’ve got:
Omega 3
Conception Vitamins (been on them for 13 months now)
Stop drinking
Reduce caffeine
10,000 steps per day

Is there anything else I should be doing?

My AMH was 19.5 and I have 20 follicles. DH sperm analysis all fine (my tubes are buggered).

I don’t want to kill myself trying hence jumping straight in before I can stress myself out about it. But do want to optimise our chances and not do anything stupid.

Thanks!

Mediterranean diet

I would just advise a healthy lifestyle, personally I think don't go too extreme in terms of diet and exercise if your body isn't used to it as that can cause additional stress on the body and mental stress in terms of guilt if you don't stick to it.
Not medical but trying to find ways to relax if you can (easier said than done) it can be a physically and mentally tiring process
Good luck xx

Don't go mad with changing everything, a moderate amount of exercise and a varied healthy diet is what's recommended. There isn't evidence to support doing anything above that, or any particular diet. Is your BMI in a healthy range? If not, it might worth making some small changes to try and get it there (either up or down)! But definitely don't start anything drastic.

The only thing I would possibly change is try and eliminate caffeine rather than just reduce. There is a school of thought it could be as detrimental as alcohol intake at a cellular level, if not more. This applies to both you and your partner 😬

Definitely agree with the advice re finding strategies to help you relax. It's important to get some headspace as the process can be quite intense. I took a naive approach and went for not asking too many questions of the Drs looking after us, accepting the info they told me and not questioning their decision making. I found this really helped reduce stress as the decision making lay with them and I didn't have to worry. I just turned up when needed and did as I was told! Appreciate that might not be the right approach for everyone though.

Best of luck 🤞😊

All really helpful thank you. Wasn’t planning on doing anything too crazy, just don’t want to kick myself after!

Thanks so much for the advice. X

You have a very high AMH for IVF - sure it will work like a dream for you!

Just make sure your TSH is below 2 - I am sure it is though or prob would have been flagged. Mine was 3.7 so taking low dose of levothyroxine to bring it down.

Follow an anti-inflammation diet - as the other posted says the Mediterranean diet is best which is similar to paleo. For me dairy, eggs, tomato, citrus and sugar cause digestive issues (everyone is different) so I have cut those along with alc, caffeine, red meat and gluten but I don't think you need to be as hardcore especially if you're a healthy BMI and don't suffer from allergies like I do. I follow 90/10 rule - good 90% of the time and have plenty of treats.

A good ubiquinol, omega 3, vit d and a prenatal vit are the main ones. A good probiotic in the morning as well - I recommend Symprove.

It Starts With An Egg is a good book and the author also has a cook book. The author suggestions a few more antioxidants.

I also take super greens and milk thistle to detox.

Main thing is keeping mental health good, slowing down a bit at work if that's poss, some yoga, nature walks, meditation and rope partner into massages!

Good luck 😉

Hi everyone im a newbie, I'm just doing some research..
2 ectopics so no tubes..
Going in for our baseline tests in the morning, can any one tell me what actually happens, what tests etc.. And how long does this process take.

@Sam6685 people are only looking at this thread to advise on pre-IVF prep. You might find that you get more responses if you start a new thread on the infertility board. I can’t help I’m afraid, but I’m keen to hear answers and I hope your scan goes well.