Preparing your body for your Embryo Transfer

An IVF journey can be long and challenging, so patients always experience a plethora of emotions verging from excitement to anxiety. As time passes, women want to ensure they have done everything within their power to achieve pregnancy. One crucial question that usually pops in their minds is: How do I prepare my body for an embryo transfer?

Even though there is no guarantee of a successful outcome, there are a few pieces of advice you may consider following in order to maximize your chances of success.

Don’t forget your Folic Acid
Let’s get the rule out of the way first. There is a lot of conflict regarding supplements in the medical world, but if there is one worth the buzz, that definitely is the B-group vitamin supplement called folic acid. It is responsible for cell growth and for repairing our DNA. During pregnancy, it is proven that it supports embryo development by preventing neural tube defects, cleft lip formation and preterm delivery. The reasoning behind taking this supplement this early on is that the neural tube is formed at the earliest stages of pregnancy, so starting the supplementation after a positive pregnancy test may sometimes be considered as late.
So here’s our rule: Do not underestimate folic’s importance just because it is a supplement. Stick to your treatment plan, start taking it when instructed and treat it like the rest of your medication as it is just as important.

Watch what you eat
Think of your body as an engine. The better the fuel you use, the better it will run. This is not the time for weight loss diets. An IVF can strain your body both mentally due to your higher stress levels, but also physically due to the hormones used during treatment. Hence, it is of utmost importance to help yourself get all the necessary nutrients your body requires to function to its maximum capacity. The Mediterranean diet can be considered ideal for this task as it is full of greens, good fatty acids and whole grains.

Quench your thirst
Ask any dietician, and they will tell you that the basis of a healthy diet is keeping your body hydrated. Dehydration can be a huge setback, causing quite significant problems both during a natural cycle/pregnancy and during an artificial cycle/IVF treatment. Fortunately, this can be easily solved very fast by increasing your water intake. Being hydrated prevents uterine spasms that may occur during the embryo transfer due to the proper nourishment of your muscles.

No need to overdo it with exercise
Lack of water is not the only thing that strains our muscles. High impact exercise does the same, and the last thing we want is to strain our uterine supporting muscles. That of course does not mean you should be on bed rest. On the contrary, being physically active is something we recommend. Just take it slowly though by sticking to low impact exercise such as walking and light yoga.

Some needles might help you relax
Whether acupuncture has an effect on the outcome of an embryo transfer has not been scientifically proven yet. However, due to the stressful nature of an IVF treatment, having a few sessions may help you relax and feel more in sync with your body.

Just smile
Last but not least, wear your brightest smile and try to be happy, as no one deserves it more than you!

Take a look in the mirror and the great woman that is staring back at you. Acknowledge how strong and amazing you are for going through this process, and do not be so hard on yourself if the outcome is not what you expected.

Keep calm, stay strong, and our dedicated international coordinating team will be with you every step of the way!

Don’t lose time! Book now a free medical consultation appointment.