7 Tips for Preparing for IVF

Here’s 7 ways we prepared for IVF, especially for our second egg collection and successful embryo transfer, resulting in our beautiful daughter Olivia. Going through IVF can feel like a second full-time job and we’ve detailed our fertility treatment timeline in this post. In order to prepare for IVF, we focused on preparing physically, emotionally and practically for our next fertility treatment. Ideally you want to do these 3 months before conceiving.

Please note I am not a doctor or specialist and this is what worked for me. There’s no guarantee it will work for you but I hope my tips will help.

Here are 7 top tips to prepare for IVF:

1. Followed a fertility nutrition plan

What we eat and drink can have such an impact on the quality of our eggs, and sperm. We enlisted the help of top fertility nutritionist Melanie Brown who gave me a supplement and food plan that was tailored to me. As well as eating particular foods, this also involved cutting down of caffeine (or out completely at certain stages) and cutting out alcohol completely. If you know me, you know I love my daily strong cup of coffee so this was hard and a big lifestyle change for me. I tried so many different decafs but my favourite ended up being illy decaf coffee ground and illy decaf coffee instant. There was also a smoothie to drink during STIMS but as much as I would love to, I can’t give all of Melanie’s advice away, so please do reach out to her if you’d like to find out more.

2. Took preconception supplements

I have tried so many fertility supplements over the years. There are lots of great ones out there, some better than others. A lot of them will have a nasty taste, which is not the best if you manage to get pregnant and are feeling nauseous to begin with! I’m so glad that we discovered Ovum’s ‘Time to Conceive’ supplements. Well actually they’re recommended by Fertility Nutritionist Melanie Brown. Recommended time frame before treatments are at least 90 days.

The holy grail – OVUM ‘s fertility supplements

Here’s why these fertility supplements are so great:

✨ designed to improve the quality of your egg reserve and increase your chances of conceiving.

✨ ‘Rocket fuel for your eggs’ 

✨ Science-backed formulas created by IVF Doctors

✨ Includes their own patented formulation of CoQ10

✨ Antioxidant Powerhouse – prevents oxidative stress, known to age ovaries

✨ MTHFR-Friendly Methylfolate, not synthetic folic acid

These supplements include a patented formulation of CoQ10 and antioxidants designed to help protect cells from oxidative stress. They’re a science-led formula created by IVF doctors to support female fertility and egg health. They’re described as “rocket fuel for your eggs!”

What we particularly love about these supplements is that they don’t include synthetic folic acid, which other fertility supplements have lie Pregnacare. Instead, they contain MTHFR-friendly methylfolate in its active, bioavailable form, making it easier for the body to absorb and use. The formula is designed to support healthy ovulation and egg development and is also suitable for those with an MTHFR genetic variant.

If you’re interested in trying these out, we have a 15% discount code for Ovum: WEGAN15.

3. Acupunture

I also had acupuncture before, during and after fertility treatments. Acupuncture can help with blood flow to the areas that will need it most when trying to conceive. It also is a stress relief, can balance hormones and help with the side effects of fertility treatments, such as bloating.

I visited Daniel at the London Acupuncture Clinic in Windsor, who is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive throughout the whole process.

4. Hypnotherapy

Throughout my IUI and IVF I had fertility hypnotherapy sessions with Maureen Kiely. During our therapeutic sessions I could discuss everything that was going on in my life and worrying me, followed by hypnotherapy. Most of these were conducted by zoom and were a way to ease my anxiety and relax my mind, as well as giving me instructions to follow during my actual treatments to help me mentally float away and deal with the pain from speculums. Whitney actually filmed my eyes doing REM during these treatments, which meant I was in a trance state. It definitely helped me cope!

5. Fertility Pilates

I did some private fertility pilates sessions with Caroline Sandry (she does sessions in Windsor and online). Pilates can help prepare and strengthen your pelvic floor so you can be more in control in letting go and also increases blood blow to that region. It can also help reduce the stress hormone cortisol. Whitney did these sessions with me as a way for us to both relax and focus our mind on something else.

6. Getting rid of plastic/ harmful products

We also cut out a lot of products that might have harmful chemicals like scented candles, plastic tupperware, shower gels etc. We replaced these items with BPA free glass containers, bamboo chopping boards, non-toxic candles, and non-toxic shower gels.

7. Eating McDonalds fries IYKYK

I’m joking… or am I?

I did abstain from eating McDonalds fries from my first IVF round but I admit I did eat them after my second round, that ended up being successful. Do I think they helped?… No I do not, but as a big lover of fries, this was bit of a treat for me after all my healthy eating and I of course continued that healthy eating during the two week wait otherwise.

So why do people going through IVF eat McDonald’s fries?

Eating McDonald’s fries after an embryo transfer has become a popular IVF tradition within the fertility community. The ritual is thought to have originated from advice sometimes given after egg retrieval to eat salty foods, as increased sodium may be recommended for people at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Over time, eating salty McDonald’s fries became associated with embryo transfer day and turned into a symbol of hope, good luck and solidarity among people undergoing IVF treatment. However, there is no scientific evidence that McDonald’s fries improve implantation rates or increase the chances of IVF success – they are simply a comforting and much-loved fertility treatment superstition. & fertility nutritionist Melanie Brown 100% does not recommend them, haha!

Looking back now, it feels incredibly special knowing that this IVF cycle resulted in our successful pregnancy and, eventually, the arrival of our daughter, Olivia.

Of course, there is no guaranteed way to make IVF successful, and everyone’s fertility journey is different. Always speak to your fertility clinic, doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before taking supplements or making significant dietary changes.

Sending lots of love and fairy dust to anyone going through fertility treatments.

If you’ve been through IVF, what helped you prepare physically and emotionally for treatment? We’d love to hear your IVF tips and experiences in the comments. 👇

[this post contains affiliate links]