4 Things You Need to Know Before You Start IVF
IVF can be a magical time in anyone’s life, but it can also be a stressful time as you welcome the unknown, so here are 4 things that you need to know before you start an IVF journey to make it that little bit easier.
Patience is a virtue
One of the main elements to be aware of during any IVF journey is waiting, so it’s important to learn how to be patient. During your journey, you will feel like you are always waiting for something, waiting for appointments to be sent to you, waiting in waiting rooms, waiting between part A and part B of treatment plans and waiting for results. Lots and lots of waiting.
Top Tip – it is always best to be prepared with a book, phone or gaming device to pass the time.
Become a note-taker
It’s a really good idea to start making notes and writing things down when they pop into your head. It helps to keep a record of what you are thinking, but more importantly, it helps to keep track of any questions that you may want to ask the medical staff during an appointment.
The hospital visits can give you a lot of information in a short amount of time, and sometimes you need some time to process it and then make decisions. This is all part of the process and nothing to be worried about, but making notes can really help make sense of everything.
Top Tip – take a notepad with you everywhere you go, especially to appointments during your IVF journey.
Consistency is key
There are a lot of things that you can not control in IVF, such as how you respond to hormones, how many eggs are collected, and how viable the eggs are. So it is important to understand what you can control and be consistent in those areas, for example, maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, keeping caffeine and alcohol to a minimum, and having a good workout routine. Being consistent in these areas helps to give you back control, improve your overall mental and physical health and improve your chances of a successful IVF journey.
Top Tip – Seek help from a medical professional or health and fitness expert who specialises in women’s health and IVF.
Communication is vital
It is really good to talk when going through an IVF journey, as it can help you process your thoughts and also consider those of other people, but it’s also important to have boundaries and to communicate these with others, as ultimately this is your journey. It can also be beneficial to be open with your friends, family and workplace so they know what is going on and can offer support when needed. The thing with IVF is it can be a smooth journey, but it can also feel a bit like a rollercoaster, and unfortunately, before you begin, you have no clue which way it may go. This is why communicating your thoughts and feelings with those around you is important.
Top Tip – Be as honest and open as you feel comfortable with, don’t worry about setting boundaries and sticking to them.
About the author
H. C. Parker is a personal trainer who specialises in women’s health and weight loss, she is also the author of IVF: My Journey, a memoir based on her own successful IVF journey. Her website is HC Active Woman Fitness so why not pop and take a look?
