Wellbeing Throughout the IVF Journey: Taking Care of You, One Cycle to the Next
By: Connie Stark, RNC,C.P.C., Head Fertility Coach for Fertility Outreach
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your doctor, or a mental health professional, for the most appropriate treatment.
When starting in vitro fertilization (IVF), it can feel like you’re stepping into the unknown, but with the right mindset and self-care strategies, you can navigate this path with confidence and resilience. In this article, we’ll share helpful tips on prioritizing your well-being throughout your IVF journey, whether planning your first, second, third, or any number of IVF cycles, or planning back-to-back retrievals that meet your family-growing goals. We’ll focus on understanding the process and learning how to prioritize yourself while celebrating small milestones each step of the way.
We encourage you to take the time to understand the IVF process. Learn about the various stages of an IVF treatment cycle, from your initial consultation with a fertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist or RE), to the embryo transfer procedure and beyond. Understanding what to expect can help ease any anxieties and prepare you physically, emotionally, financially, and socially for each part of the IVF journey.
Take the Time to Learn More About IVF Before the Beginning
Making decisions about fertility treatment, including IVF, can feel overwhelming. Take the time to discuss your options, weighing benefits and risks with your fertility specialist. Ask questions, voice your concerns, and advocate for yourself throughout the decision-making. Remember that you can make informed choices that align with your values and goals for growing your family.
Educate yourself about the various IVF treatment plans and procedures and their potential side effects. Openly communicate with your fertility specialist, nurse, and other IVF team members about concerns or discomforts you may experience during the process. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more in control of your journey.
If you’re thinking about or moving beyond the first IVF cycle, ask your fertility specialist about follow-up testing or evaluations that may be recommended after completing each cycle to assess any potential factors impacting treatment success. This may include changes in medication dosage, protocol timing, or additional interventions to optimize outcomes for future cycles. Knowing this information can ease the fear of the unknown from cycle to cycle. Making informed decisions together, and identifying and adjusting subsequent treatment approaches, can feel empowering, giving you an extra boost that’s needed when pursuing multiple cycles.
Understand Potential Costs Throughout The IVF Journey
It’s important to be aware of any potential costs associated with IVF treatment, including consultation fees, medications, blood tests, ultrasounds, procedures, and follow-up care. Investigate your health insurance coverage to determine which (if any) IVF expenses may be covered and what you’ll need to budget for out-of-pocket payments.
Many people keep budgets for “necessities,” such as a car, home or even education. But people don’t always think about budgeting when it comes to fertility. Developing a detailed budget that accounts for IVF expenses and other financial priorities is key. Consider setting up a separate savings account specifically for IVF costs and contribute to it regularly. Explore financing options (like loans) or payment plans (if available) offered by your fertility clinic to see what might work best for you and your family. Check out financial assistance programs, grants, and scholarships for infertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART).
When going beyond the first IVF cycle, it’s important to think about the additional financials that come with that. Consider the potential cumulative costs of multiple cycles and plan accordingly. Medication costs may vary based on dosage, type, and even “add-ons,” all of which may or may not have insurance coverage. Ask if there are separate out-of-pocket fees for back-to-back IVF procedures, which may include additional follow-up consultations and monitoring. Additional testing like a genetic screening, hysteroscopy, or mock embryo transfer may also be recommended between cycles to assess specific concerns. If embryos are cryopreserved (frozen) between cycles, ongoing storage fees may apply. Consider other costs, including supportive services for your wellbeing, such as acupuncture or counseling, during the IVF process. Lastly and sometimes forgotten, any travel expenses such as transportation, gas, or lodging may be additional costs to consider in an IVF financial plan.
Optimize Your Physical Health Throughout the IVF Journey
You can focus on your physical well-being by learning simple ways to change daily habits that may have the biggest impact. Discuss recommended vitamins or supplements with your RE, such as folic acid, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and CoQ10. These may enhance your overall reproductive health as you prepare for and continue the IVF journey.
Make a checklist of current lifestyle habits to discuss with your fertility specialist, as they may provide recommended modifications to optimize your chances of success between IVF cycles. Some of these may include smoking or vaping, for both partners.
Fuel your body with nutritious foods to support overall health, which can enhance fertility and reproductive health. Develop a balanced nutrition plan tailored to your specific needs. Choose a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. These foods provide essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health and fertility.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Hydration is important for maintaining optimal bodily functions throughout your IVF journey. Limit your intake of sugary and alcoholic beverages as well as excessive caffeine.
Engage in regular physical activity that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. Exercise and body movement can help maintain a healthy weight, improve circulation, reduce stress, and improve overall wellness. Aim for at least 20 minutes of low to moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Always discuss the appropriate level and intensity of exercise during the IVF process, especially between cycles, with your fertility specialist to ensure it aligns with your individual needs and treatment plan. Your body does need adequate time to rest and recuperate between cycles.
Lastly, remember that sleep is important. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Adequate rest can support hormone balance and overall well-being. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine and create a comfortable sleep environment to promote better sleep quality.
Find the Social Support You Need Throughout the IVF Journey
The fertility journey and IVF treatments can take a toll on your emotional health and relationships, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Schedule time to talk with your partner and keep lines of communication open to ensure you’re both on the same page regarding your fertility journey and IVF plans. Sharing concerns, hopes, and expectations during planned time together can eliminate other distractions for a better, more focused moment. Working together to navigate these challenges may allow for deeper bonding and intimacy.
Build a strong support system of trusted friends and family members who understand and empathize with your journey. Talking to a fertility coach or seeking guidance from a mental health professional who specializes in fertility-related issues can provide valuable coping strategies and emotional support before and between cycles. Creating a plan to support your overall wellbeing while navigating the rollercoaster of emotions helps to prepare for each step of the journey with resilience and strength.
Support groups or online communities may allow you to connect with others on similar fertility journeys. They may share experiences of what they are going through or IVF success stories for encouragement. It’s important to remember that a peer is not typically an expert in offering medical guidance—that is the job of your fertility specialist. Do not compare the stories or journeys of others to yours—each person’s journey is unique, and your story belongs to you. Ensure your added support provides ease and not another layer of stress. Social support groups and communities are not one size fits all, so if one does not align with you, intentionally decide not to join.
Prioritize Self-Care Throughout Your IVF Journey
Prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential for maintaining your overall well-being during infertility treatment. Learning what works best for you to manage stress and promote emotional balance is key. Mindfulness practices, relaxation techniques, and gentle exercise are a few options to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.
Consider exploring alternative therapies like acupuncture, yoga, or meditation to complement your IVF journey. Holistic approaches can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance overall well-being. Remember that there isn’t data that “proves” adding or not adding alternative therapies to your IVF protocol will increase pregnancy success rates. Instead, measure success by assessing if these alternate options enhance your overall well-being.
Celebrate each of your successes along your IVF journey from the start. Whether it’s completing your IVF checklist, including a daily walking routine, saying “no” to another event you don’t have the energy to attend, or a successful embryo transfer—don’t wait to celebrate. These moments of joy can serve as reminders of your strength and resilience, and you can acknowledge the challenges and even the setbacks with patience and determination, knowing that you are making it.
Your IVF journey is unique, and it’s important to prioritize your well-being every step of the way. By taking proactive steps to care for your emotional, physical, financial, and social well-being, you can live “in fertility” daily and navigate your IVF journey with resilience, hope, and determination, keeping your vision clear and focused when planning to grow your family.
