Infertility affects millions of people worldwide. In India alone, it’s estimated that around 6% of reproductive-aged couples struggle with infertility. For these couples, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is often the only hope of having a child.In this article, read about How to mentally prepare for IVF. It’s always better to consult an IVf doctor or visit an IVF clinic to get a personal opinion.
IVF is a complex and emotionally taxing process. It’s important to be mentally prepared for the challenges you’ll face before, during, and after treatment. Here are 5 tips to help you mentally prepare for IVF and increase your chances of success.
How to mentally prepare for IVF?
Have realistic expectations
It’s important to have realistic expectations about the IVF process. IVF is not a guarantee that you will get pregnant or have a baby. The success rates vary depending on a number of factors, including the age of the woman, the cause of infertility, and the number of embryos transferred.
For example, the live birth rate for women under 35 is 40-50% per IVF cycle. This means that 40-50% of women who undergo one IVF cycle will have a baby.
The success rates decrease as the woman’s age increases. For women over 40, the success rates are 20-25% per IVF cycle. It’s also important to remember that IVF is a lengthy and expensive process. The average cost of one IVF cycle in the United States is $12,000. Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of IVF.
Be prepared for the roller coaster of emotions
The IVF process is full of ups and downs. You will likely experience a wide range of emotions, including hope, excitement, anxiety, disappointment, and sadness. It’s important to be prepared for this emotional roller coaster.
Hope
The first step in the IVF process is choosing a fertility clinic. Once you have chosen one that you feel comfortable with, it’s time to get started! At this point, you are filled with hope that you will soon be able to start your family.
Excitement
After a few weeks of monitoring at home, it’s time for your first ultrasound appointment at the clinic. This is where everything starts to come together—the embryos are ready for transfer into your uterus! You may feel excited about this step in the journey toward parenthood!
Anxiety
It can take several weeks or even months before you know whether or not an embryo has been successfully implanted in your uterus after an embryo transfer procedure. During this time period, many women experience anxiety about whether or not they will become pregnant after undergoing IVF treatment.
Disappointment
If the embryo does not implant in your uterus during an embryo transfer procedure and no pregnancy occurs due to this failure on its own accord (no matter how
It may be helpful to talk to someone who has been through the IVF process. They can share their experiences and provide support. You can also join an IVF support group. This can be an online community or a in-person group. Read more health guides.
Create a support network
It’s important to have a strong support network when you’re going through the IVF process. This includes your partner, family, and friends. They can provide emotional support and help you with practical tasks, such as childcare and housework. Your IVF doctor and the whole team will also be a source of support. They can provide you with information and answer any questions you have about the process.
Consider seeking counselling
The amount of support IVF parents get from their family and friends varies greatly. Many people will be truly excited for you, while others may struggle with the idea of supporting your choice. In some cases, people may not know what to say or do, which can make the experience all the more stressful.
You will undoubtedly be affected by all of these things, but having a therapist who knows how to work through those issues can make all the difference.
Whether it’s preparing you for your embryo transfer or dealing with post-transfer blues, a counsellor can help you get through this trying time with professional help and personal support.
Take care of yourself physically and mentally
During the IVF process, it’s important to take care of yourself physically and mentally.
This includes eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep.
If you’re struggling with any of these things, there are some steps you can take to improve your overall health. Here are some tips for eating a healthy diet:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. There are tons of benefits to eating more produce—it’s packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that can help keep your body strong during this stressful time.
- Make sure you’re getting enough protein. Protein is crucial for building muscle mass, which helps you build up your strength during exercise. You should aim for at least 1 gram of protein per day per pound of body weight (so if you weigh 130 pounds at 5’6″ tall, that’s about 65 grams).
- Drink plenty of water! It’s easy to get dehydrated when you’re under stress or not feeling well so make sure you’re staying hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water (8 glasses per day is a good rule of thumb).
- It’s also important to find ways to relax and de-stress. You may be tempted to skip meals or not exercise as much because you’re stressed out or worried about your fertility. But if you don’t take care of yourself during this time, it will make things harder for you later on when you’re trying to get pregnant.
To wrap it up:
Now you know what you have to do. Stick to your routine with time off for rest and recovery. Stay off social media (except if it’s really important) because it will only make you anxious. If you don’t hear something in three weeks, two weeks, one week, well then call and find out.
IVF patients should prepare themselves physically, psychologically, and emotionally as well as financially. Their health and fitness have to be at its best level even before they start the IVF process. They need to get rid of all the bad habits that cause them problems such as smoking, drinking alcohol, eating junk food, stress and so on.
