Making Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your IVF Outcome

Attempting to conceive a child is a very emotional experience, especially if you are having difficulty conceiving. Yet, your fertility can be improved by several lifestyle decisions you make.

These little adjustments to your routine will help you and your partner increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Keep your weight where it should be.

Try to keep a healthy weight, whether you're a man or a woman, before you ever think about attempting to conceive. A body mass index outside the appropriate range of 20–25 can disrupt a woman's menstrual cycle and prevent ovulation. Women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher may be denied access to publicly financed in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services by the National Health Service (NHS). Evidence shows that men with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above have reduced reproductive rates.

Regular exercise can help you keep the weight off and boost your health in other ways. Regular exercise, even for 30 minutes a day, may help lessen the likelihood of infertility in women. Keep things light and easy by opting for long walks or jogs, whichever you choose.

A high-fat or low-carb restricted diet is unhealthy for those who need to reduce weight. See your doctor for safe and effective weight loss tips.

Stop using tobacco products.

The National Health Service stresses the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke. The quality of a woman's eggs can be negatively impacted by smoking, which has also been linked to an earlier onset of menopause. It has been shown that smoking negatively affects the quality of semen or causes harm to sperm in men.

Avoid alcohol consumption

We suggest abstaining from alcoholic beverages when trying to conceive. Males must adhere to the NHS alcohol intake limits of no more than 3–4 units per day, or 14 over a week, as excessive alcohol use might negatively impact sperm quality. Because of the potential risks to an unborn child, the government advises women seeking to conceive to limit their alcohol consumption to no more than 1 or 2 units, once or twice weekly.

Review any drugs, medications or prescriptions you take

Certain medications, both those prescribed by a doctor and those purchased over the counter, can have a negative impact on a woman's ability to conceive. Make an appointment with your doctor to talk about your concerns.

Cannabis, cocaine, and anabolic steroids are just some recreational drugs that can negatively affect fertility and a developing fetus.

Eat a healthy, well-rounded diet.

If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, eating a healthy diet rich in greens, whole grains, and fruit are a fantastic place to start. Eating fish several times a week can be advantageous because it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Some people also try to minimise their caffeine intake (in tea, coffee, cola, or energy drinks, for example) (although fish with high levels of mercury, such as swordfish, tuna and marlin, should be avoided).

Taking prenatal vitamins is unnecessary if you eat a healthy, well-rounded diet. But 400 micrograms of folic acid daily are suggested, and it's a good idea to ask your doctor about your Vitamin D levels.

Check your day-to-day environment.

Fertility can be negatively affected by working in an occupation where one is regularly exposed to pesticides, chemicals, or x-rays. If you're worried about the place you live.

To conclude

Keeping a positive outlook and handling your stress levels is easier said than done, but you should do what you can. Relaxing pursuits like working out, yoga, meditation, and acupuncture can do wonders for your fertility.

Even though attempting to conceive can be an emotionally challenging period, making even a few of these changes can profoundly impact your reproductive health and well-being. You can improve your chances of becoming pregnant by following the advice, which includes keeping to a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and giving up harmful habits like smoking and drinking excessively.