3 Ways to Take Care of an IVF Pregnancy

 

Achieving pregnancy is a huge IVF moment! It is the final step of successful infertility treatment. You will now have to do everything possible to ensure a healthy baby. These will include a proper care plan with healthy meals, supplements, regular check-ups and lifestyle modifications. The percentage of live births per egg retrieval is 54.5% in women below 35. This figure shows that it is not a tough job to take a pregnancy to term. It is exactly similar to natural conception at this point. You will have to follow the gynaecologist’s instructions for the next nine months till the baby arrives. 

It can reduce the risk of complications like a low birth weight or a premature infant. There are fewer chances of a miscarriage too. Taking proper measures can keep the mother and child safe. Here’s how to look after an IVF pregnancy at home. 

1.      Consider Healthy Eating

Eat small 5-6 well-balanced meals every day. This can help avoid morning sickness. Pick foods high in folates like fortified cereals, lentils, asparagus, wheat germ and oranges. It can help develop the child’s spinal cord. Babies to be born from IVF have slight risks of birth defects. This is where folic acid is also helpful to prevent the conditions. Add loads of lean meat, eggs and dairy products, beans, tofu and peanut butter as well. Lots of fresh fruits and leafy green vegetables are also recommended.

Take supplements like calcium, potassium and iron. Fish is also suggested to improve the baby’s motor skills and IQ. Cut down on caffeine and quit tobacco and alcohol altogether. Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated.

2.      Be Mindful of Warning Signs

It is crucial to be cautious with pregnancies to ensure quick help. Do not ignore severe headache, persistent abdominal pain, changes in eyesight, dizziness, burning urge to urinate, itching all over the body and discomforts under the ribcage. Vaginal bleeding or spotting is fine in the initial stages but not in the second trimester onward. You must also see the doctor in case you feel restricted foetal movement.

Frequent chills and fevers are also big causes of concern. It can mean bacterial infections and complications.  Instead of waiting for the signs to pass, visit the nearest infertility hospital in Hyderabad or whichever city you reside in.

3.      Mild Exercise

Kegels is the best when it comes to pregnancy. It helps to strengthen the pelvic floor. This can strengthen the uterus, bowels and bladder. You can also expect a smooth delivery and prevent birth complications. Learn the proper techniques and practise while sitting in the car, at your work desk or even outdoors while standing behind a queue. Yoga, deep breathing and meditation are also great to keep your body and mind steady. Do light household chores and walk daily for 10-20 minutes to improve your general fitness.   

You cannot afford to lose this golden opportunity of having a baby. So, take good care of this IVF pregnancy through the above-mentioned steps for the best outcome.

5 Must Have Foods After an Embryo Transfer

 

Embryo transfer is an important part of the in vitro fertilisation process, a highly popular option for women who are finding it difficult to become pregnant and have a biological baby. The IVF process involves stimulation of the ovaries to produce eggs that are fertilised with sperm to have an embryo. This is followed by the transfer of the embryo to the uterus for it to result into pregnancy. Since the whole process of IVF and its three stages can be quite stressful, adequate focus is required on eating nutritious and healthy food. 

Specialists at the best IVF centre in Hyderabad recommend eating a plant-based diet with a lot of colourful items. The Mediterranean diet that is rich in plant based foods is known to have a positive impact on the overall health of both men and women and may even improve the IVF success rate amongst women. 

Relation between Nutrition and Fertility

Nutrition plays an important role in enhancing the reproductive efficiency of a person. And eating a balanced and nutrient rich diet becomes even more important when you have opted for IVF and have undergone an embryo transfer. While IVF does not guarantee pregnancy, it offers hope, and the chances of its success can be improved by adopting good food habits. 

A diet rich in fish, legumes, vegetables and low in carbohydrates has been found to increase the chances of pregnancy by IVF intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI, according to a study. It was also found that a dietary intake of Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, Alpha-linolenic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is linked to positive results in women undergoing IVF or ICSI. A healthy diet also works to ward off potential obstacles to fertility. 

Foods to Consume After Embryo Transfer

The success of the IVF and the embryo transfer largely depends on the age at which ovulation took place, the quality of the embryo and the endometrium of the uterus. But the type and quality of diet consumed is important for the overall well-being and health of a person which in turn aids in improved fertility.   

Here are some essential food items that should be included in your diet after embryo transfer:

• Protein rich foods- both animal and vegetable proteins must form part of your diet as they make you feel full longer.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and disease fighting phytochemicals. The antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables are important for detoxification of our body. Also rich in iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium, fruits and vegetables should constitute 50% of our food intake in a day.
• Whole grains especially grains with more fiber.
• Legumes like beans, lentils and chickpeas are rich in folic acid, an essential nutrient for the brain and spinal cord development of the baby. One can even take folic acid supplements.
• Healthy fats like nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds, chia seeds are good sources of energy.

In addition to inclusion of foods that are rich in essential proteins and minerals like zinc and iron, in your diet, ensure that you eat home cooked foods rather than foods that are fried and cooked with lots of butter and oil. Processed foods are rich in trans fats that are unhealthy and can be linked to high infertility rate, doctors at the IVF Conception Centre in Kondapur, Hyderabad point out.