PREPARING FOR IN VITRO FERTILIZATION: WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

14 December 20242′ read3 sections

CONTENTS

What You Should Do Before IVF
What to Expect from the IVF Process
In Conclusion

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an important step for couples who want to have a child and are having difficulty conceiving. Proper preparation before IVF is crucial for optimising your chances of success and for protecting your health throughout the process.

What You Should Do Before IVF

Medical Check-up and Planning

Before treatment begins, your doctor will recommend a series of tests, such as hormone tests, an ultrasound scan and a semen analysis, to establish the overall state of the couple's reproductive health.

Improving Your Diet

Diet plays an important role in fertility. Choose a diet rich in nutrients and antioxidants, which support the healthy development of eggs and sperm. Include fruit, vegetables, omega-3 fats and protein in your diet.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

A healthy weight is important, as excessive weight gain or loss can affect hormonal balance and reduce the chances of IVF success.

Avoiding Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking and alcohol can affect the quality of eggs and sperm, so it is important to avoid them before and during IVF.

Managing Stress and Psychological Support

Stress can have a negative effect on the IVF process. Find ways to relax, such as yoga, or seek psychological support to maintain your emotional balance.

Taking Supplements

Your doctor may recommend vitamins and supplements that support fertility, such as folic acid, vitamin D and other antioxidants, which support the development of healthy eggs and sperm.

Staying Well Hydrated

Drinking water is important for your health and well-being during IVF. Good hydration helps maintain hormonal balance and improves blood circulation.

What to Expect from the IVF Process

IVF involves the use of medication to stimulate ovulation, egg collection, fertilisation in the laboratory and transfer of the embryos to the uterus. The whole process requires emotional and physical preparation, and support from specialists can help you prepare better.

In Conclusion

Proper preparation before IVF can increase the chances of the procedure succeeding and help protect your physical and mental health. With the right lifestyle choices and the right medical guidance, you can significantly improve your chances of a successful pregnancy.

Book an appointment at our practice to receive personalised advice on preparing for IVF and to ensure the best possible care for your reproductive health.

TAGS#IVF journeyIVFIVF supportIVF GreeceIVF pregnancyIVF successreproductive medicine centreReproductive Healthfertilityin vitro fertilization

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

All articles

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

What You Should Do Before IVF

What to Expect from the IVF Process

In Conclusion

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?