5 Ways to Increase IVF Success For Women

No Myths, Just Facts!

Whether you’re getting ready to start your first IVF treatment cycle or you’ve been through IVF before, you probably have heard a lot of crazy advice on how to make sure your cycle is successful.Does anything really make a difference? Are there actions you can take to improve your chances of getting pregnant? Let’s dig a little deeper.

1. Make Sure That You’re Healthy

Your general state of health affects your chances of a successful embryo transfer and a healthy pregnancy. So the best thing you can do is lead a healthy life. Stop smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise in moderation, lose the extra weight, and get more sleep. Don’t overindulge in alcohol. Forget about any recreational drugs. This may sound dull, but it’s worth it to help you get to your goal of starting a family.

2. Cut Back on the Coffee

New research shows that, for women, drinking more than five cups of coffee a day has a negative effect on your chance of getting pregnant. So, back away from the free refills at work, and be aware of how much coffee you drink every day.

3. Age is a Factor

Don’t wait too late to start IVF. Success rates with IVF decrease over age 35, and decrease sharply over age 40. Some experts estimate that as many as 1 in 3 women will have trouble with fertility after age 35, with most women struggling to conceive after they turn 40. If you’re over 40, you may want to consider donor eggs to increase your odds of having a healthy baby.

4. Consider Having Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been shown to relieve stress. Two recent studies ,one in Acupuncture in Medicine and the other in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation — found a benefit when acupuncture was used on the day an embryo was transferred into a woman’s uterus. A study from the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation also found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome and men who had infertility issues with no known cause also benefited from acupuncture.

5. Be Patient

If you are under 30 or 35 years old, time may be your friend. Almost half of couples under age 35 who have been trying for less than two years to get pregnant have a greater than 30 percent pregnancy rate. If your male partner has fertility issues or you have been diagnosed with factors that make IVF your best option, your age is in your favor. You may be at the long tail of the fertility curve—don’t give up if IVF does not work on your first cycle.