When preparing for donor egg IVF, there are many simple lifestyle changes that you can begin focusing on right away to improve your chances of success. In addition to undergoing all necessary baseline tests and receiving a specific medication protocol from your doctor in preparation for IVF, it’s also important to prepare yourself mentally and physically to create the healthiest uterine environment to accept the donor egg or donor embryo.
Becoming the Healthiest Version of Yourself for Your Future Baby
So, what can you do to improve the chance of embryo implantation, positive pregnancy, and ultimately, a healthy baby? Here are our top 4 tips for preparing to receive donor eggs or donor embryos!
1. Mindset Matters
With the exception of same-sex couples, most couples and individuals didn’t initially expect third-party reproduction would be a part of their journey to parenthood. It’s important to check in with yourself and your partner as you grieve your genetics and navigate your new journey as you accept and, hopefully, come to embrace using donor eggs.
If you are having trouble coming to terms with your infertility diagnosis or struggling with any other aspect of using donor eggs, you can find genuine, professional support from an infertility counselor, therapist, or psychologist.
Lastly, consuming positive stories by couples and individuals who have gone through similar experiences is a great way to widen your perspective and bring hope for what’s to come.
2. Begin Focusing on Your Nutrition Intake Immediately
We all know how important nutrition is during pregnancy, but did you know that your nutrition even before conception also plays a role in the health and development of your baby? It’s true! Beginning to implement healthy habits within your diet immediately will help prepare your body to receive the embryo and foster its development throughout pregnancy.
When preparing your body for IVF, nutrition is essential because what you consume in your diet directly nourishes your uterine environment, and eventually, your baby. The healthier you are, the greater chances of embryo implantation success, and ultimately, a healthy baby!
You can begin by focusing on the most important nutrients for pregnancy. It may also be a good idea to begin taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid before conception, although you should consult with your physician beforehand to ensure that any vitamins or supplements you take will not interfere with medications you will be taking for treatment.
3. Find Fun Ways to Become More Active
Getting into the habit of exercising or being active for at least 30 minutes a day is a great way to prepare your body for IVF. Although it’s never too late to start healthy habits, getting into a good exercise routine before pregnancy is ideal. Pregnancy hormones increase the elasticity in your ligaments, and performing unfamiliar movements may cause injury. Exercises such as yoga, swimming, or even something as simple as going on a daily walk with your partner or a friend are low-impact and generally safe for pregnancy.
In addition to the many physical benefits of exercise such as managing weight, strengthening the heart, and combating health conditions, you will also feel an uplift in energy and mood from exercise! For instance, studies have shown that yoga during pregnancy has been proven to decrease stress and benefit your overall physical and mental health.
- Related reading: 5 Long-Term Stress Management Strategies for Infertility
4. Know Your Options / Do Your Research
One of the best ways to prepare to receive donor eggs is to do your research! Knowing all your options before making any decisions ensures that you are making the right choice.
We get it. It can feel overwhelming when faced with the countless decisions involved with selecting an egg donor. Before you begin browsing through donor profiles, you may want to consider whether you are interested in fresh or frozen donor eggs and whether you would like an open or anonymous donation. When you work with an egg donation agency, you have an experienced team of experts to help you navigate every step of the process.
Conclusion
Being the healthiest version of yourself (both physically and mentally) and being well-informed of your options will benefit you in many ways while also improving your chances of success with IVF. We hope you found these 4 tips for preparing for IVF using donor eggs helpful. If you have any additional questions, our team is always here to help. We wish you the best as you prepare for the exciting journey ahead!
Find Additional Resources in the Donor Nexus Blog:
- Epigenetics and Donor Eggs: Exploring the Connections
- Do's and Don'ts When Explaining Donor Conception to Your Child
- Mother Via Egg Donation Shares Her Pregnancy Experiences