How to increase the success rate of IVF?

For couples where conceiving is not easy or possible without the help of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is one of the most common and effective solutions they can opt for, to fertilise a man’s sperm and woman’s eggs through medical procedures in a lab, before transporting the embryo to the mother-to-be’s uterus. IVF procedures are not surefire, yet can be quite expensive. If you are considering going for one, do follow these tips to increase your success rate of IVF: 

Having the Ideal Weight

If you or your partner are overweight or obese, the chances of you getting pregnant will be lower, as excessive fat can increase estrogen levels, which interferes with ovulation. Even if you have normal ovulation cycles, it is found that obese women tend to have lower pregnancy rates than normal, which could be caused by other weight-related disorders, such as diabetes, insulin resistance and thyroid disease. Moreover, obesity in men will lead to low sperm (quality) counts and movement. 

Studies have also found that obesity will also adversely impact the success rates of IVF, because of poorer response to ovarian stimulation and fewer eggs harvested, with the need for higher doses of  gonadotropins. As a result, the quality of embryos is lower with the lower fertilisation rates, increasing the risks of miscarriages. Try to maintain a BMI of 19 to 25 (for both mother-to-be and her partner) to optimise your chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Having a Healthy Diet

If possible, the transition to a healthier diet during or before your IVF cycle- eat nutritious, balanced meals, without drastically altering your diet, like going completely vegan or gluten-free if you were not previously. The popular, plant-based Mediterranean-style diet is a good pick and has proven to increase IVF success rates for women below 35 years old. For better pregnancy success rates (and sperm quality), encourage your partner to eat healthily with you too. Exercising regularly always helps too. 

Stop Drinking and Smoking

Drinking can have negative effects on IVF, and may even make you feel miserable if you are consuming fertility drugs. Studies in 2011 and 2019 found that birth rates are significantly lower in couples that drink or smoke. 

Managing Stress

Undoubtedly, for couples that are looking forward to growing their family, infertility can be a cause of great distress, disappointment and even depression. However, it has been proven that psychological interventions for infertile women to reduce their stress and anxiety can lead to much higher pregnancy success rates as well- showing that it is as important to manage your emotional health as much as you take care of your physical health. 

IVF is an ideal solution to help boost the success rates of pregnancy for couples who find it hard to conceive, but IVF will still take into account infertility that stems from increased age. Hence, it is important to take careful measures to ensure a higher success rate of IVF, as multiple tries of IVF will result in more physical, emotional and financial stress. 

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