Surprising News About IVF Patients and Doctors’ Recommendations

When I was trying to get pregnant with my children, I reluctantly surrendered alcohol, reduced my morning coffee intake, and slowed down my pace at the gym. After all, I wanted to improve my chances of conceiving as much as possible. Sometimes I wondered if being so good was worth it or not but since there was a potential fetus at stake, I kept it up.

Apparently I’m not the only one who wonders just how much you have to give up before you actually get pregnant. According to a new study by the Domar Center for Mind and Body Health of Boston IVF, many women who are undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments are not following some of the recommended guidelines designed to improve their chances of success.

Some of the recommendations often made to women undergoing fertility treatments include cutting back or eliminating smoking, drinking alcohol, exercising and/or taking herbal supplements. However, according to the survey conducted by the Domar Center, 9 out of 10 women were still exercising at least once a week. In addition, 3 out of 4 still drank caffeine and approximately 50 percent of the women admitted to drinking alcohol.

Doctors note that discontinuing exercise, alcohol and caffeine may increase IVF success rates. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not test or certify herbal supplements, which means the contents are largely unknown and are therefore not recommended during fertility treatment.

If you are undergoing IVF treatment or any other kind of fertility treatment, speak with your doctor to determine the best guidelines to improve your chance of success. And if you’re just going at it the old-fashioned way, talk to your doctor as well. After all, you’ll have to change your habits when you’re pregnant, so why not start as soon as possible?


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