Pre IVF Advice - What You Should Be Avoiding Before In-Vitro Fertilization

If you are considering undergoing IVF or are about to begin the process, the you are making a huge investment in both financial and emotional terms. It makes complete sense to give yourselves the best possible chance of success and there is a lot of pre-IVF advice to be followed which can really help.

Below I have listed some of the things you should be avoiding. Obviously, the earlier you begin to make changes, the better, but even if you are about to start the process, then all is not lost.

Smoking

We are all aware of the negative effects of smoking on our major organs, but it can also hinder conception. The chemicals in cigarettes have a debilitating impact on reproduction in both men and women and reduce fertility considerably. Indeed, in female smokers, fertility is reduced by 40% and there is evidence to suggest that men are 75% less likely to achieve fertilization. As well as stopping smoking yourselves, you should avoid being in a smoky atmosphere as passive smoking is also dangerous.

Drinking Alcohol

Most of us are aware that alcohol is bad during pregnancy but there are also a number of reproductive problems in both men and women which can be brought about by drinking. Most pre IVF advice will include cutting out alcohol altogether and although some might find this difficult, it is a small price to pay for faster conception and a healthy baby.

Illegal Drugs

Like alcohol and tobacco, certain illegal drugs can impair fertility and may store up problems for an unborn child. In the case of Marijuana, one of the most common drugs, this can impair sperm production and motility and can disrupt the female reproductive system making conception and implantation difficult.

Eating A Poor Diet

What you eat can have an impact on your fertility. Much pre IVF advice centers around dietary modification for both parties. There is evidence to suggest that foods such as refined carbohydrates, trans fats, sugar, processed foods and non organic produce can aggravate conditions such as ovulatory infertility and cause hormonal imbalances. In men, not getting the correct nutrients can impair proper sperm production.

Sleep Deprivation

Pre IVF advice includes getting sufficient sleep as this is vital for fertility. Sleep affects our hormones and specifically those responsible for the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Lowered sleep levels can also reduce the hormones responsible for appetite regulation which can result in unhealthy eating patterns. In addition, lack of sleep can increase stress hormones which in itself is a huge stumbling block as far as conceiving is concerned. Sleep deprivation can also mean that our bodies do not get the opportunity to repair and rejuvenate and make proper use of nutrients and release toxins as is normally done during sustained periods of sleep.

If you would like further comprehensive information on how you can significantly increase your chances of IVF success, you might like to consider taking a look at the program, The Full Embrace.

Packed full of pre-IVF advice, this program will help dramatically improve your chances of becoming pregnant with just one cycle, using techniques which are scientifically proven to work.

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Plan Ahead Before Taking Fertility Drugs for Financial Security

It pays to plan ahead before taking fertility drugs. You may be beginning a new family very soon, or you may be beginning a journey that involves expensive infertility treatments before finally getting pregnant. Either way you can cut costs and protect your family finances by educating yourself about insurance options, and how to leverage the tax code in your favor.

Couples begin taking fertility drugs after trying to conceive naturally without any luck. Fertility drugs are often the first line of therapy, and many couples are blessed with a pregnancy right away, while others move on to more intrusive and expensive methods for getting pregnant. Both outcomes require planning and timely action.

Supplemental Insurance Helps Couples Who Conceive

Those couples fortunate to conceive shortly after taking fertility drugs experience the joy and worry that comes with pregnancy. Many working women in the U.S. take an unpaid maternity leave. In addition, 25% of pregnancies experience complications which may require mom to miss additional unpaid time away from work prior to delivery.

By purchasing supplemental insurance before taking fertility drugs to get pregnant, your normal labor and delivery will be a covered benefit. Supplemental insurance creates maternity leave pay, and protects mom's income if she misses work prior to delivery.

Check Your Insurance Policy

Other couples will need to more aggressive infertility treatments, and many of these procedures are not covered by most insurance plans. Fifteen states have mandates that require some level of coverage for certain employer groups. Each state rule differs in what is mandated, and who the mandate applies to. Learn about these rules, and check what your insurance plan does and does not cover. Look at plans from both spouses before deciding which has the best coverage for infertility.

Leverage the Tax Code

Many infertility treatments wind up being self paid. These treatments are classified as medical expenses, so you have an opportunity to cut your costs with tax savings. If you deduct these expenses on your 1040 form, remember that only those expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income provide any tax relief. Use your flexible spending account at work to get first dollar tax savings.

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