Your emotional well-being, as well as that of your spouse or partner, is your most important consideration before beginning the process of in-vitro fertiliztion, or IVF. Preparing mentally for all possible outcomes will help you feel more comfortable before, during, and after the treatment. The mind and body connection is also something to think about. Having a serene, healthy state of mind positively affects physiological functioning.
Physical Preparations
All of the common sense rules apply when it comes to physical preparation for IVF. Alert your doctor to any medications you are taking, and any recent dietary changes you have made. Reduce or eliminate caffeine and alcohol consumption, and stop smoking cigarettes immediately. Sexual intercourse is permitted up to forty-eight hours before the sperm sample is taken, but an ejaculation in the two days preceding the procedure may reduce the number of viable sperm available for fertilization.
Know What to Expect
The uncertainty of the IVF process can take an emotional toll, and the many visits to your treatment facility can be exhausting as well. Become educated about what is involved by preparing questions for your specialist, and making sure that you make a mental note of any questions that arise during your doctor's explanation of the procedure. Read any available literature, including information from credible websites. Know that you will need to make a substantial time commitment, since IVF involves many injections and checkups.
Thinking Ahead
Having gathered all the information you need to know about IVF will better prepare you for all possibilities. At this point, you and your partner will have already considered the financial aspects of the treatment by carefully working out a budget and finding out what, if any, aspects of treatment are covered by your insurance. It is also important to think about what will happen if your first IVF cycle is unsuccessful. Ask yourselves how many attempts you are able to absorb, both financially and emotionally. This may seem like an unpleasant task, but setting realistic boundaries will actually help you to accept all possible outcomes.
Other Options
Discussing alternatives early on in the process can help you handle unfavorable IVF results. Decide whether adoption, using a surrogate or sperm donor, or not having children at all will work for you as a couple. And planning for some kind of emotional help, including therapy or support groups, will put you and your spouse or partner at ease.
