How to Prepare for IVF Egg Retrieval (with Tips from a Naturopath)

If you've been trying to conceive at home and haven't found success (despite tracking ovulation and following tips about having sex to get pregnant, including how often), then you might be thinking about fertility treatment. IVF can be a lengthy process, and it begins with taking stock of your overall health. Doing these 5 things to prepare for IVF egg retrieval before you even get to the clinic can help save you time. Here's what to do before—they're things your fertility specialist or naturopathic doctor will likely ask you to do anyway, and they all help improve your chances of conception. 

1. Take a prenatal supplement with antioxidants 3 months before egg retrieval

It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to get pregnant at home, or trying to get pregnant with the help of a clinic—if you’re using your own eggs, you need to get on a prenatal supplement at least 3 months before you try to conceive (at home) or have your egg retrieval (if going through IVF). Eggs take 3 months to develop, and are vulnerable to the environment—a prenatal supplement can help prep your body for pregnancy and contribute to the health of your eggs (look for nutrients like Omega-3s, Vitamin D, and Iron). Additional important antioxidants like NAC and CoQ10 (especially if you’re over 30), will help protect your eggs from environmental damage. Getting your eggs in the best shape possible before you pursue treatment like an egg retrieval or embryo transfer, or start trying is key to getting the best possible results. 

How to Improve Egg Quality →

2. Have bloodwork done

Getting vitamins and nutrients at ideal levels before you undergo IVF, can help save you precious time on your journey. Ask your family doctor for bloodwork before starting your fertility journey. Many people are deficient in Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Iron, so adding supplements or foods rich in these vitamins can help correct any deficiencies. Not sure what to ask your doctor for? Routine bloodwork may cover some of these important nutrients, but you can specifically mention CBC, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Ferritin.

3. Adjust your eating habits to a Mediterranean diet

Your diet does have an impact on your health and your fertility, and plenty of research has shown the value of eating a primarily Mediterranean-inspired diet. It’s rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, plant-based and lean protein, and healthy fats—all good stuff that supports your fertility, too. 

5 Top Foods for Your Fertility Diet →

4. Get a body composition analysis

When it comes to IVF, your weight and BMI can impact outcomes. Having a BMI that’s too low or too high can affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes negatively, which is why many doctors take this into account—and may ask for you to adjust your weight—before starting IVF. Instead of just going off the number on the scale, getting a body composition analysis can give you insight into muscle mass and fat ratios within your total body weight, so you have a more complete picture of how you can improve pregnancy and IVF outcomes. 

Does Weight Affect Fertility? →

5. Move your body

Exercise and daily movement can help improve sleep, hormone output, inflammation, and muscle mass—all important factors to consider when doing IVF (and for your general overall health, too—trying to conceive or not). Try to get 8,000 to 10,000 steps daily or about 30 minutes of interval training. Lean muscle development is what I’m hoping for, and about 3 hours per week of resistance training (combined with the required dietary protein) can make a big difference. Skip the endurance training and intense training routine while trying to conceive or in active treatment, both can potentially affect hormone levels and the menstrual cycle.

Exercise While Trying to Conceive →