Diet & Exercise tips for women undergoing IVF

 

A technique as demanding as IVF necessitates a healthy lifestyle and habits. Diet and exercise are the most significant parts of this.

There are several advantages to eating a good IVF diet before and during your treatment, including:

• Providing vitamins and minerals required for optimal egg and sperm health • Providing antioxidants to protect the egg and sperm from free radical damage
• Providing necessary fats that allow reproductive hormones to be produced and operate properly. This promotes ideal hormone balance in the body, which can be especially helpful in cases of hormone imbalance, such as infertility in PCOS patients.
• Maintains a healthy and strong physique in preparation for the early stages of pregnancy.

You must begin following your IVF diet 2-3 months before you begin your IVF treatment to get the most out of its effects.

Also, Read - Indian Celebrities Who Chose IVF

Foods that can help you have a successful IVF cycle

So, now that you know the benefits of eating a well-balanced IVF diet while trying to conceive, where do you start?

As you begin your IVF journey, the best IVF centre in Chennai gives you a quick rundown of the types of meals that may be advantageous to you.

1. Water is necessary to function all body organs, particularly the reproductive organs, properly. Every day, it is recommended that you drink 8 to 10 glasses of water.
2. Healthy fats: Healthy fats are crucial in hormone balance, immunological function, and inflammation regulation. Oily fish, almonds, eggs, and avocado are all healthy foods to consume. Healthy fats can also be found in olive oil, which can be used in cooking.
3. Protein: Protein is required for cell growth and repair, as well as for regulating blood sugar levels in the body. Protein is also required for the production of hormones.

Plant protein is thought to be healthier, and reproductive clinics recommend substituting peas, beans, almonds, and soybeans for meat.

4. Fiber: Fiber aids in the clearance of toxins from the body, including excess reproductive hormones, assisting in balancing these levels. Fibre is abundant in fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, and nuts.
5. A low-carbohydrate diet is beneficial: In a recent study, researchers from the best IVF centre in Chennai discovered that reducing carbs in your diet improves your chances of conceiving. Compared to women who ate a carb-rich diet, the success rate of IVF was over 50% higher in women who ate a low-carb diet.
6. Supplements for women who are on a fertility diet:

Additional supplements suggested by the best fertility clinic in Chennai include:

• A high-quality prenatal multivitamin
• L-Arginine
• DHA or EPA omega 3 fish oil, for example
• 400 mg of folic acid per day is commonly given to women to help them prepare for pregnancy.

Many of these supplements are also advised by the fertility hospital to boost the odds of IVF success in people who have had poor treatment results.

IVF Foods to Avoid

Certain foods and beverages are harmful to your fertility and should be avoided in men's and women's IVF diets.

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Soy
• Processed meals
• Too much sugar
• Mercury-rich seafood, such as swordfish, shark, and tuna steak
• Trans fats that clog arteries

Incorporating these dietary recommendations into your daily routine may improve your odds of IVF success and your chances of having a healthy pregnancy.

Also, Read - avoid foods during IVF cycles

Exercise during IVF

While light to moderate exercise is permissible during IVF therapy, individuals should be cautious about their workouts. In general, you should perform the following exercises during IVF:

1. Stay in your comfort zone.

Patients should exercise within their comfort zone while considering IVF and exercise. What exactly does that imply?

For example, do not begin a vigorous workout routine before the IVF process begins if you have never done so before. You might continue to be active during the early rounds of IVF if you were already very active.

2. Do not engage in high-intensity cardiovascular exercise.

Changing a long-standing fitness programme might be frustrating for some people. It is critical, however, that you avoid it.

There are several causes for this. Because high-impact activities might cause ovarian torsion, patients are advised to avoid them during the IVF treatment. The ovaries enlarge when having IVF treatment. The larger ovaries will likely become twisted due to strenuous aerobic sports like jogging, complicating the IVF treatment process.

3. Do not exceed four hours of activity per week.

Exercising for more than four hours each week may reduce your chances of success with IVF. Make it a rule not to exercise for longer than this during IVF and even less during certain stages of treatment.

4. Concentrate on low-impact activities that help you relax.

Large body movements that pull blood away from the ovaries and uterus should be avoided during IVF and exercise. As a result, we advise against doing high-intensity interval training, abdominal workouts such as crunches, or heavy weightlifting.

Also, Read - Why couples should opt for IVF

Instead, the greatest activities are meditative, low-impact, and attuned to the breath to help you get through this difficult time. Walking, yoga, gentle stretching, and water activities like aerobics and low-intensity swimming are some of the IVF exercises recommended.

Other stress-relieving techniques, such as fertility massages, acupuncture, reading, crafts, or meditation, might be incorporated into your routine.

While these workouts are typically considered safe during treatment, your doctor or fertility center may encourage you to stop exercising at particular points. Always follow their IVF and workout directions to the absolute.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle thus becomes very necessary for the proper development of the baby as well as the health of the mother during such a complicated procedure. As advised by the best IVF center in Chennai, with proper exercise and a healthy diet, a lot of complications can be eliminated.

Also, Read - IUI Treatment: What to Expect?

Understanding a successful ICSI procedure

Fertility problem is something that is faced by every fourth couple, and figuring this issue out at an early stage is crucial to know the cause and treat it efficiently. This is where the ICSI procedure comes into view. This article is all about an ICSI treatment and procedure that the doctors follow; read it till the end to have a clear understanding of the complete procedure.

What’s the concept behind ICSI treatment?

The head of a man’s sperm must connect to the egg’s exterior before it may fertilise a woman’s egg. Once linked, the sperm makes its way through the egg’s outer layer to the cytoplasm, where fertilisation occurs.

However, for a number of reasons, sperm may be unable to enter the outer layer. The sperm may be unable to swim, or the egg’s outer layer may be thick or difficult to penetrate. In some circumstances, ICSI can be used in conjunction with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to aid in fertilizing the egg. A single male sperm directly enters the cytoplasm of the egg during ICSI treatment.

Successful ICSI procedure

Initially, a woman has to do certain procedures first, and then a couple can go for the ICSI treatment afterward. Basically, women will need to take fertility medicine to increase egg production in the ovaries, just like with normal IVF.

During this period of treatment, the doctor will keep an eye on the eggs’ progress regularly. When the egg is ready to be retrieved, the ICSI treatment is carried out.

Further following ICSI treatment is followed:

●      Step 1: The first step is retrieval

Either the man must generate a sperm sample by ejaculating into a cup, or the sperm must be surgically extracted. The sperm can be extracted in a variety of different methods. The sperm retrieval technique may be conducted sooner in some situations, and the sperm may be frozen. A small needle and ultrasound probe will be used to extract several eggs from the woman’s ovaries.

●      Step 2: Sperm injection into the egg

The semen sample is then cleansed, and a single sperm is extracted. A very small hollow needle is then inserted into an egg. The sperm does not have to swim through the cervical fluid since it is injected immediately. It can take up to 24 hours for sperm to fertilise an egg and form an embryo.

●      Step 3: Keeping an eye on and monitoring the embryo

The fertilised embryos are preserved in a laboratory for up to 6 days after fertilisation. During this stage, they are watched for signs of development and growth. The fertilised embryos will not all be transported to the uterus of the mother. As a result, this phase is critical for selecting the strongest and most viable embryos.

●      Step 4: Procedure of embryo transfer

Either one or a set of embryos are chosen and implanted in the woman’s womb using an ultrasound-guided catheter once the embryo has attained a particular stage of development. This might happen two days after conception or five days afterward.

This is the ICSI procedure that is followed for successful treatment, and it is available everywhere in India; you can easily find one, but it is recommended to consult a doctor first before going for this treatment.

 

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.