Pre-Treatment Diet Hacks for a safe IVF Pregnancy!
Maybe you’re on your way to starting a family and through Vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment or you are already on it. But one thing you should know is that you’re not alone. A survey suggests that about 1 in 8 women are opting for this extra help to get pregnant. During the entire process, you may feel an array of emotions such as anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty. After all, IVF treatment is time-taking and physically demanding. It even takes an emotional toll on people. The two weeks of regular shots can easily heighten your emotions.
The 3months leading up to your IVF treatment are quite vital for making sure that your body is healthy, strong, and fully prepared for this intense process. One way of ensuring the same is through a well-balanced nutritional diet. A planned diet goes a long way not only during the treatment but also in the trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum pregnancy. It prepares your body naturally—giving it the boost it needs.
Foods You Should Avoid during your IVF Pre Treatment
- Processed foods contain preservatives and are charged with hormonal residue. They are known to hinder hormonal function and hence, go on and interfere with the treatment. It’s advisable to refrain from the consumption of Salami, Sausages, ready-to-eat fried food items, and more.
- If you take raw eggs regularly for breakfast, or, end up using them for making mayonnaise, as a dressing in your salad, etc; it’s time to stop! Raw eggs are known to contain salmonella—a food poisoning-causing virus. Avoid consuming raw eggs. Cook them well before you eat.
- Artificial sweeteners and refined sugars are an absolute no-no! While sugar consumption makes you feel happy at times, consuming refined sugar or saccharin-based sugar reduces the chances of a successful IVF.
- While Seafood is rich in essential fatty acids and is a great protein source, it also contains mercury. Mercury hampers fertilization and causes issues in the development of the fetus. Hence, it’s recommended that you avoid sea food during your IVF Pre-treatment journey.
- Alcohol is responsible for erratic ovulation in women. Not only does it affect the quality of eggs, but it also causes trouble in conception. Alcohol consumption could majorly affect the fetus. Therefore, it’s best to avoid alcohol.
What to Eat during your IVF Pre-Treatment?
After the don’ts, let’s hop onto the dos. It’s alright. Catch a breather. Maybe this list of don’ts made you think that almost everything you eat could be unhealthy, however, there is a long list of food items that nurture and make your body ready to bring a new life into this world. Here’s a list of items you could add to your diet.
- Including green leafy vegetables is the first thing any doctor or dietician is going to recommend to you. They are rich sources of antioxidants, folic acid, and iron. These are a must as they boost fertility and ensure smooth conception. If you happen to be of the tribe that hates eating green veggies, it’s advisable to prepare veggie bowls that do contain green leafy vegetables in some form. The fact is that they don’t only ready the body for conception but also boost the body during the various trimesters and postpartum care.
- Fruits are an integral part of any diet. If you’re thinking about why they’re a good dose of vitamins and nutrients served in the tastiest manner. Turning into a fruit person is not only going to better your reproductive health, but it also ends up protecting you by keeping any post-partum health issues at bay. Fruits like banana, pineapple, watermelon, mango, oranges, etc must become a part of your diet. You could consume them on rotation or devour all of them in a fruit salad bowl.
- Including spinach, broccoli, nuts, grains, and lentils in balanced proportions prepares the body to undergo the intensive process. Eating wholesome meals helps stabilize mood swings and creates an overall sense of calmness.
Lifestyle Practices that make your IVF Pregnancy Better
The main focus in the entire process of pregnancy is to feel better and safeguard the mother against all possible risks and health issues. Making small lifestyle changes can be extremely instrumental throughout the trimesters. Firstly, it’s recommended that you stay mildly active. Go for a walk, have a mild jog, or practice prenatal yoga. Staying physically active reduces a lot of stress, which in turn aids in conception and healthy pregnancy. Treat yourself by indulging in a day of spa, or going for some art or music therapy. Feeling calm is conducive to a smooth pregnancy.
Last but not the least, as a potential mother, go ahead and consult a doctor and dietician to monitor what you eat. Remember, what you eat will shape your baby! Get a personalized diet chart and enjoy your pregnancy ride. That’s all!