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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : September 2, 2021 11:02 AM IST
Being diagnosed with infertility can be very stressful for couples and going through fertility treatment can add to the stress. Be it your first fertility treatment or if you have already been through one or two cycles, preparing yourself physically and emotionally is very vital. Every fertility treatment has an emotional aspect, especially with people who are unfamiliar with the expected course. In fact, you should give yourself some time to understand the medical process and prepare your body for IVF treatment. In addition, developing a proper level of sensitivity towards the treatment is important.
One should abstain from activities harmful to conception. Further, activities recommended by reproductive medicine specialists to enhance your fertility should be considered. Here are certain tips one can always follow on their medical way to conceiving.
Obesity can negatively affect natural reproductive potential through interference with hormonal and metabolic mechanisms. Female obesity, especially with abdominal fat distribution, leads to a lower ovulation frequency and reduced chances of conception.
It is clear that obesity affects males too. It leads to lower testosterone levels and other endocrine abnormalities, higher scrotal temperature and higher rates of erectile dysfunction. In couples affected by obesity-related fertility problems, weight reduction can improve chances of natural conception. A reasonably achievable weight reduction of 5 10% would require a focused effort of 3-6 months. Proper diet plans and regular practice of moderate to vigorous physical activities, aiming for 30 to 60 minutes daily will help you achieve this goal.
Maintaining a healthy diet enhances the result of fertility treatment and helps in achieving a healthy pregnancy. A proper diet will help you in preparing your body as well as your mind for fertility treatment. Consult a nutritionist and ensure you follow a proper diet plan which is balanced and contains adequate calories and nutrients.
The diet should be low in fat while components such as protein, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium have to be appropriate. Green leafy vegetables and fruits should be included. Foods that help to boost fertility like avocados, eggs, nuts, beans, and salmon should be considered. Additionally, it's crucial to avoid fast foods and food items that are just empty calories like cakes, cold drinks, fries etc.
Vitamin content of the body plays an important role in the procedure and increasing it to an optimal level will have a positive effect on the success of the procedure. Consumption of prenatal supplements and antioxidants can directly affect the quality of eggs and sperm, thereby improving the results of fertility treatment.
Exercise is an add on which will help boost the success of your fertility treatment. Exercise optimises your weight and metabolism and reduces stress levels. It clears your mind, your brain produces hormones that make you happy and it makes you feel less tense. There is no need to hit the gym every day if you are not much of a sports person, a brisk walk or a good jog will help you equally.
One should quit smoking at least for 6 months before planning for fertility treatment. Smoking is associated with a dose-dependent compromised reproductive outcome. The risk of infertility may be twice as high for smokers when compared with non-smokers in the general population. This is attributed to the toxic effects of chemical components of tobacco smoke such as cadmium and cotinine. These chemicals affect the quality of the egg as well as the sperm which in turn affects the chances of conception. Further, even if fertility treatments become successful, fetal growth may get affected.
Alcohol is known to be teratogenic and its consumption has been reported to reduce fertility. In addition, research also shows that alcohol hinders the success levels of IVF by more than 50%. So, one should quit smoking and drinking with the support of family and friends before embarking on fertility treatments.
Overloading yourself with work can cause excess clutter which in turn can lead to anxiety and stress. It is better to take up one task at a time, whether it is work or home. Staying organised will help in being more focused and relieves stress as well as acts as a weight loss medium too.
Sleep is vital to ensure the well-being of many aspects of your body. In fact, the quality of your sleep affects your metabolism, hormonal balance, ovulation and sperm production. Ensure you as well as your partner gets ample amount of sleep as directed by your fertility expert.
Basic activities like massage, listening to music, watching movies, playing with pets or spending time with friends will help relieve stress during the process. Further, breathing exercises can also help reduce stress.
Achieving healthy breaths will resolve many issues on their own. Yoga ensures natural healthy breaths. It also helps you relax and refresh effectively. In addition, light yoga and relaxation techniques like yoga Nidra can guide you through the IVF protocols in a healthy way. Classes conducted online for exercises by experts can also be considered. Such things also help in adopting a healthy lifestyle thereby keeping a track of time throughout the process till the delivery.
Relaxation techniques can help boost your blood circulation and relieve stress. Things like acupuncture, massage therapy are usually very supportive during fertility treatment. In fact, these therapies have been found to be useful for many people to deal with stress and keep them healthy mentally as well as physically.
Fertility treatments usually can take a toll on you physically, mentally, and emotionally which is one it is important to be prepared well in advance for the long stressful time. Not only that but it is also important to talk to your counsellor or partner or close friends and family. Ensure that you are surrounded by supportive people throughout the process. Besides, your fertility expert will always be available to guide you through your lifestyle choices based on your medical history.
(The article is contributed by Dr Shikha Sardana, Consultant Reproductive Medicine, Milann Fertility Centre, Chandigarh)
