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How to Take Care of Yourself During Fertility Treatment

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The wide range of emotions you experience during fertility treatment may feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster. The more you dwell on whether or not fertility treatment is going to be successful, the more you may feel overwhelmed or stressed. 

The caring staff members at the Center for Reproductive Health understand what a stressful experience this can be, especially if fertility treatment isn’t successful right away. They’re prepared to help you learn how to take care of yourself during fertility treatment, including both your physical and emotional health.

Take Care of Your Physical Health

Making good lifestyle choices can benefit your overall health, including your reproductive health. Taking care of your physical health may help to improve your chance of a successful pregnancy. Make healthy food choices to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need. Avoid eating a lot of processed foods and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. 

Exercise can be beneficial both physically and mentally. Some good choices include yoga, walking and riding a bike. Talk to your doctor about the best exercise options for you and about how much exercise to do to prevent injury or over exercising.

Make Self-Care a Priority

Each day, remind yourself to do something you consider fun as part of your daily routine. Work on being in tune with how you’re feeling and think about what you need to do to take care of yourself.  What makes you feel relaxed or calm? 

Give yourself some time to do the things that are soothing to you such as meditation, a bubble bath, reading a good book, listening to music or having a massage.  Practice deep breathing as a way to help yourself to feel calm. Be kind to yourself.

Have a Support System

Feelings of sadness or frustration are natural when you’re having difficulty having a baby, and you’ll need a support system of people you can turn to if you need someone to lean on. This may be your partner, a relative or a close friend.  You may find that those you have turned to in the past don’t know how to provide the support you need, and you may want to consider participating in a support group with others who are also going through fertility treatment. 

Negative emotions shouldn’t be stuffed or ignored. Many people find journaling about overwhelming feelings is a good way to process them. If you find you’re feeling depressed and you have lost interest in being around others or doing things you usually enjoy, it may be time to prioritize getting help from a mental health professional. 

Learning About Fertility Treatment

When you’re going through fertility treatment, learn as much as you can about what to expect. You may experience a lot of highs and lows during this time and the better you understand what’s happening and what’s likely to happen next, the better you’ll be at coping with whatever happens. 

Reach out to the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health for more tips on taking care of yourself during fertility treatment.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
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FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

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