IVF Prep- How to prepare?

jbasore1123

Hi ladies,
My RE gave us a pamphlet about their clinic, the procedure, and medication info. It also has a very small section (ie., three sentences) on how to prepare, which is unfortunately lacking. All it said was to stop drinking any alcohol with the cycle you start birth control, take vitamins (I'm assuming prenatals??), and take one baby aspirin a day (it doesn't say when to start this).

Is there anything you ladies have done, or are doing, to prepare? I've read a lot about acupuncture on this board, which I'm considering (although my RE believes that 15 minutes a day of quiet meditation does the exact same thing).

Thanks!

monimu13

I didn't do too much to prepare. Been taking PNV for a couple years now and decided that I would not drink after I started stims....pretty much it. I'm not sure about the baby aspirin as I take lovenox for my specific situation. I'm not really into acupuncture or meditation, but I know a lot of ladies find benefit in them. Good luck with your upcoming cycle!

sorrellam30

I honestly don't think anything more than that to prepare will make a difference.  A lot of ladies on here like acupuncture so that might be something to look into. 

FishyMom

For me... I bought a huge box for all the meds. I had my house professionally cleaned (I was worried about germs and shots). Had a binder for all tests and docs I got from the doc. I also take PNV, stopped drinking alcohol with stims. In hindsight (this is my 1st IVF) the cleaning was not necessary, but I did like having it done. I like having all my meds in a sealed box, so my dogs can't get near it. But nothing was really necessary.

I had not heard of the baby aspirin. But my doc said I could only take Tylenol. So I switched to that. GL!!

Twinkie0612

I just followed my doc's instructions.

twistsandturnsto2

@Ashris13 Baby aspirin is included in some protocols, most often if there is a implantaion issue or clotting disorder. If there are no risk factors for those, and I am sure other issues I didn't mention, it's not included in protocols.

I didn't do much to prepare the first time around. Cut out caffeine, alcohol, took my PNV, much like PP have said.

ETA Changing anything with the goal of trying to improve egg quality need to be made about 3 months before start of stims.

jbasore1123

twistsandturnsto2 said:

@Ashris13 Baby aspirin is included in some protocols, most often if there is a implantaion issue or clotting disorder. If there are no risk factors for those, and I am sure other issues I didn't mention, it's not included in protocols. I didn't do much to prepare the first time around. Cut out caffeine, alcohol, took my PNV, much like PP have said. ETA Changing anything with the goal of trying to improve egg quality need to be made about 3 months before start of stims.

I should call and check with my doc then since I don't have either of those issues.

twistsandturnsto2

@jbasore1123 sometimes I think they just throw it in, it can't hurt anything. My first cycles did not include it, I don't have a clotting disorder and they have me on it for all remaining cycles. But I also feel like they are trying anything at this point to get me pregnant, lol

auntjessy

I bought soft stretchy jeans b/c all the shots leave your belly a bit tender.
Also bought some jersey material dresses for all the drs appts so I'm not sitting there pantsless all the time. also obviously took vitamins and cut out caffeine (and aspartame). I originally planned to lose weight - I lost about 8 lbs and then got distracted.

auntjessy

Oh, and this may sound silly to some - but my hair is naturally dark blonde and I dye it dark reddish brown - so I had the salon do a bunch of highlights in my natural color to blend my hair as it grows in. I know it sounds vain, but I'm a pro actor/plus size model.

Tenyearwait

I did the circle and bloom meditations, cut out caffeine, and did a few yoga sessions. Since that cycle was canceled, I have started taking royal jelly, CoQ10, and still cut out most caffeine.  

jbasore1123

Tenyearwait said:

I did the circle and bloom meditations, cut out caffeine, and did a few yoga sessions. Since that cycle was canceled, I have started taking royal jelly, CoQ10, and still cut out most caffeine.  

What does the royal jelly and CoQ10 do? Was that your decision or instructions from your doc?

Neesey

I started a baby aspirin a day when I started my Lupron. I didn't cut out alcohol and wasn't advised to either. I'm not over doing it but I have had a few cocktails since starting stims.

Neesey

.

sweett1998

I cut back on the workouts....cut out all caffeine....and cut out all alcohol.  I was on baby aspirin while on progesterone, but once I stopped that I didn't need the aspirin anymore.  Everyone's med protocol is different.  I had already been on prenatals for a couple years so I didn't have to start those.  I did acupunture right before...during...and right after my transfer.  They feel it gets more blood flowing to your uterus. 

Peanutz21

I didn't cut alcohol out until after my ER and then when I had to freeze I enjoyed some wine. I stopped again once I got an FET day. I slowly weaned myself off caffeine ..... That's a daily struggle because I really love coffee. I didn't take aspirin as my part of my protocol ... Just the usual vitamins and whatever shots they told me to

Margritli

Wow, these are great tips, ladies. We are probably about three to four months away from IVF with ICSI and I want to start to try to get myself into shape (mentally & physically), too.

Maybe this is a stupid question, but how is it that anything that is done to improve egg quality needs to be done three months in advance of stims? I realize that this is the case with sperm since they are being produced all the time, but I didn't realize it was the same with eggs. 

katekat8721

Great question, love reading the responses!

I have been working out regularly and eating well in preparation. I have been working on decreasing external stress and cutting toxic relationships out of my life. I started circle+ bloom last night and slept amazingly lol. It was very relaxing!

Basically, I'm just trying to take care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally.

Good luck to you sweets!

Viasatalyte

katekat8721 said:

Great question, love reading the responses!

I have been working out regularly and eating well in preparation. I have been working on decreasing external stress and cutting toxic relationships out of my life. I started circle+ bloom last night and slept amazingly lol. It was very relaxing!

Basically, I'm just trying to take care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally.

Good luck to you sweets!

^This!!! =D>

jbasore1123

Thanks for the responses ladies!!

delatl

I also love reading all the responses. For me:

- I cut out alcohol after starting STIMS and then with my FET, about 10 days before transfer.

- I completely cut out caffeine (with my IVF, I still allowed myself decaf coffee, but this time, nada).

- I cut back exercising too hard (happily, I might add).

- I took prenatals + vitamin D. For my natural BFP, I'd been taking B-complex, but I worried so much about when to stop it that this time, I haven't taken it at all.

- Like someone else, I bought myself some loose, stretchy skirts and dresses. BEST thing I did to prepare. I was so, so bloated and most of my previous clothes simply did not fit. 

- I wish I'd been more organized but we were in the middle of a move so that did not happen. However, I would definitely agree that keeping all your paperwork in one place and your meds in one place is really important.

- Be sure you have a way to keep track of your meds schedule. I pretty much relied on the calendars the clinic gave me, but this time I have set reminders on my phone so I remember to take my Estrace 3x a day. 

- Find some sources of support. I was reluctant to tell anyone IRL, but did tell a few very close friends and my immediate family. Even though my IVF cycle failed, it really helped to have some people besides my DH know what was going on. Some of them checked in with me often and sent me funny emails and helped distract me. I also tried Circle & Bloom, fertility yoga, acupuncture, RESOLVE group, etc. I haven't been as good sticking with those but they all helped immensely.

Good luck!!

katekat8721

Note to self... put all docs in a newly organized IVF binder and buy flowy stresses and skirts to hide the pooch! Lol.

Love all the tips!

DJF2012

I didn't end up having to do IVF, but our prescription was "Controled Ovarian Hyperstimulation with Timed Intercourse" (a long way to say that my eggs needed a boost to come out to meet my hubby's sperm!) We tried this 4 cycles before my BFP. To prepare, 6 months before any of the injections, I cleaned up my diet, removed toxins like caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugar. I lowered dairy and meat, and went for whole grains and lotsa organic/gmo-free veggies and fruits. I also had a complete regimen of vitamin/mineral/herbal/antioxidant/omega supplements and protein smoothies. Even though I ended up needing some hormonal supplementation via injection, i know my healthy diet and yoga routine gave my body the optimal health needed to carry healthy twins for 35.5 weeks!