Becoming a parent is a major milestone for any individual, irrespective of their gender. Be it a natural conception, IVF, surrogacy, or even adoption, expanding your family can be both joyful as well as anxious for most individuals. When it comes to IVF, the journey can not only cause anxiety but can be quite stressful, too. Preparing for parenthood during IVF treatment need not be complicated.
When you and your partner decide to go the IVF way to start or expand the family, it requires a lot of changes and adjustments from both sides. This includes both physical and mental adjustments. While the female partner is the one undergoing the multiple tests and the physical changes or restrictions, the male partner has the responsibility to support her in this journey. It can be an emotionally testing journey that may not be easy for a person to face alone.
First, it is important to understand the possible challenges a couple may face during the IVF journey. When you know what to anticipate, you may be able to handle them better.
● Complications – Possibilities of complications like ectopic pregnancy, UTIs, postpartum haemorrhage, placenta complications, etc., are present in IVF, too.
● Multiple Births –If more than one embryo is transferred into the uterus to increase the chances of a successful implantation than one embryo can implant, leading to multiple pregnancies. So, if you both have been struggling to conceive just one child, you may suddenly have more than you anticipated.
● Health Issues – Just like with natural conception, IVF can also trigger gestational diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, etc.
● IVF Failure – One of the biggest challenges is that IVF fails. The issue could be anywhere. If the IVF cycle does not succeed, you may have to go in for the next cycle.
● Expensive – IVF is expensive, and most health insurance policies don’t cover these costs. If you need more than one IVF cycle, then the expenses will go up accordingly.
● Bed Rest – The mother-to-be may be put on partial or full bed rest in case of complications like placenta previa, very high blood pressure, etc. This may interfere with your plans, profession, etc.
You and your partner need to focus on both your physical and mental health during IVF. Let’s break it down into physical preparations and mental preparations.
1. Better Diet – Both partners need to eat better and improve their diets to include more essential nutrients and vitamins. This will ensure both the egg and the sperm are of good quality, thus increasing the chances of success.
2. Manage Weight – Excess weight can affect both male and female fertility. Both partners need to stay within a healthy weight limit for best results. IVF includes injecting hormones, which can lead to weight gain. The female partner has to consciously make the effort to lose the extra weight and stay active (if approved) to ensure she does not gain too much weight during the pregnancy.
3. Get Sleep – IVF can be a stressful journey, interfering with your sleep cycle. Lack of sleep can affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
4. Exercise Regularly – Regular exercise can improve both partners’ fertility. The better the quality of the egg and sperm, the better the success rate. Regular exercise can also help maintain weight, hormone balance, and libido.
5. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs –Avoiding smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, etc., is important for both partners. These habits can reduce sperm health or cause issues with the pregnancy outcome.
1. Gather Information—Gather as much information as possible about the entire procedure and what to expect during and after the pregnancy.
2. Anticipate Issues – No one wants to think about issues or what can go wrong. However, it is better to anticipate possible complications and have a strategy in mind. This can help in quick decision-making and prevent time wastage.
3. Identify Coping Mechanisms – The IVF journey will indeed be stressful and hard for most couples. Identify ways and means to cope with such stressful situations. It could be a new hobby, meditation, yoga, or anything.
4. Gather Your Support System – If you have been struggling with fertility issues, chances are you have a few close friends or family to support you, or you both have been completely quiet about your struggle. Humans are social beings, and you need a support system. Have a close set of people who can accompany you to the doctor if your partner is unavailable, someone to talk to or share your concerns with.
5. Strengthen Your Partnership – Remember, you both are on this IVF journey together. No matter who the fertility issue is with, you are together in this struggle. It is important to support each other irrespective of the outcome and avoid blaming anyone for the complications or outcomes.
Succeeding in the very first IVF cycle is not impossible. Making a few changes can increase the chances of a successful IVF. Apart from the physical and mental preparations for both partners, here are some IVF success tips for you:
1. Do Your Research – Do your research and educate yourself about the entire process and everything related to it. This can help understand what will happen, what to expect, and what questions to ask the doctor.
2. Financial Planning—IVF requires a solid financial plan. It can quickly get expensive, and you cannot pause your treatment midway due to a lack of finances. You should plan not only for the treatment but also for the increase in expenses due to diet changes, exercises, doctor visits, tests, etc. Consider the possibility of the IVF failing, decide how many cycles you can afford, check insurance coverage etc.
3. Counselling – Most fertility clinics will offer counselling for both partners as a part of the IVF package. If not, consider counselling to address your anxieties, stress, issues with each other, etc. Getting professional help before things get more complicated or stressful can do you much good.
4. Clarify Doubts—Don’t hesitate or hold back your doubts. Discuss all doubts and concerns with your fertility specialist. It is important to understand and know what you are getting into.
Preparing for parenthood during IVF is not an easy journey for most couples. In many cases, it starts after a lot of pregnancy attempts, failures, and emotional struggles. When you are both physically and mentally prepared and enter the journey together as a team, it can be a lot easier.
The earlier you start planning, the better. Once you decide to get pregnant, start focussing on your diet, exercise, weight, and overall health. When you decide on IVF, both you and your partner should start the physical and mental preparations for a smooth and stress-free IVF journey.
Both partners’ fertility and health are very important for a successful IVF. A male partner can be supportive of his female partner undergoing all the tests and procedures for IVF.
IVF can be financially very demanding for some couples, especially if they have to go for multiple rounds of IVF. Check for health insurance policies that cover IVF or other fertility treatments, and identify fertility clinics that are well-reputed.
Follow a nutritious diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Avoid ultra-processed foods and increase your lean proteins and whole grains intake instead. Ask your doctor and take supplements if needed.
