How To Stack The Pregnancy Odds In Your Favor
When going through in vitro fertilization (IVF), most couples want to stack every odd in favor of a successful pregnancy. With some intentional lifestyle adjustments, couples can boost the chances of conception. Follow these 4 tips for IVF success.

1. Focus on your sleep
Sleep is one of the most often overlooked health habits. But adequate rest is crucial for fertility. Research has found that women who get between 7-9 hours of sleep per night are more likely to have successful pregnancies. Experts recommend aiming to go to bed between 10-11 p.m. and avoiding caffeine starting around 4 p.m. or earlier. Because blue light suppresses melatonin, which signals the body to go to sleep, avoid screens like computers, cell phones, tablets, and TVs at least an hour before bedtime.
2. Up your fruits and veggies
Improving diet before the IVF procedure will boost the chances of success. Focus on increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. One study found that women who had at least one serving of full-fat dairy per day were 27% less likely to struggle with infertility. Also, make sure to get lots of antioxidant-rich foods like raspberries, blueberries, and oranges.
3. Manage stress
Going through an IVF cycle can be stressful. Hopeful parents-to-be understandably feel stressed about whether or not the procedure will work. However, research has found that high levels of anxiety do have an impact on IVF outcomes. While managing emotions can be a challenge, try to find ways to keep stress levels under control. Exercise regularly, meditate, journal, or speak with a trusted friend or family member about emotions. For many couples, scheduling an appointment with a mental health professional can help manage stress.
4. Avoid getting frisky
Part of the irony of IVF is that couples should avoid having sex for at least 4 days before sperm retrieval and at least 1-2 weeks after the embryo transfer. A man’s sperm count can take a couple of days to rebound after ejaculation, so refraining from any kind of sexual activity will boost the chances of the sperm count being high for the IVF treatment. Likewise, sex can interfere with the implantation after the transfer.
Find personalized recommendations
Although infertility is common, every couple’s journey is unique. A fertility specialist can help couples identify individual risk factors and come up with a plan to boost the chances of IVF success. Speak with a healthcare provider to learn more about fertility and getting pregnant.