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Answers to 6 Common IVF Questions

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has made a significant positive impact on people’s ability to achieve the family of their dreams. However, it is also one of the most challenging experiences for people, both emotionally and physically. Beginning IVF treatment can seem scary and often comes with many questions.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine, we believe understanding your IVF treatment is vital to your success. The goal of this blog is to answer some of those questions and provide you with information you can use while going through treatment.

1. Are there any activities that are prohibited for women during an IVF cycle?

Smoking and Vaping: Women who smoke or vape are strongly encouraged to quit. Byproducts of tobacco are known to be toxic to your eggs and hazardous to a developing fetus.

Alcohol Consumption: It is recommended to stop drinking alcohol during infertility treatment and throughout pregnancy.

Medications: Certain medications can have adverse effects during IVF. It is extremely important to talk with your physician about all medications you are taking, both over the counter and prescribed.

Strenuous Physical Activity: Abstain from intense workouts and physical activities such as aerobics, running, or weightlifting during ovarian stimulation and until the pregnancy test results are known.

It is important to note we do not recommend bed rest at any point during your cycle. Light exercises such as walking and gentle yoga can be beneficial for reducing stress and improving your circulation.

2. Are there any guidelines for men during IVF?

Sperm quality can improve the chances of successful fertilization during IVF treatment. Sperm cells take 74 days to develop and mature; therefore, three months prior to the date of egg retrieval, men need to avoid certain activities.

Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: Minimize or abstain from alcohol and tobacco use before and during treatment.

Recreation Drugs: Avoid all reactional drug use.

Medications: Report all medications and supplements, both prescribed and over the counter, to your physician as some can adversely affect sperm production. 

Fever: Notify your IVF nurse if you have a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher as this can negatively impact the fertility potential of sperm cells.

High Temperatures: Avoid high temperatures like hot tubs, Jacuzzis, spas and saunas before and during your IVF cycle.

Exercise: Do not begin new endurance exercises within three months of starting treatment. Moderate exercise is encouraged.

3. Will I still have eggs after IVF?

Women are born with a greater number of eggs than they will ever use or need in a lifetime. While it is true women have a finite number of eggs and ovulation induction generally results in the collection of multiple eggs in a single cycle, there is no measurable effect on your overall supply.

4. How many embryos will be transferred during IVF?

The number of embryos transferred during IVF is decided by individual circumstances but typically involves the transfer of one embryo. A single embryo transfer of one, high graded, day 5, euploid embryo will yield the highest chance of pregnancy.

Due to advances in technology, single embryo transfers have similar live birth rates compared to multiple embryo transfers which is associated with significantly increased risk of complications in both the woman carrying the pregnancy and the fetuses.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine, we practice personalized care that gives you the best chance of having a singleton, safe pregnancy, and birth. 

5. If I do not get pregnant, when can I try again?

If you do not become pregnant, you will have a follow up appointment with your doctor to review the cycle and potentially use a different protocol in your next FET cycle. Typically, patients will wait one cycle before transferring another frozen embryo.

Additionally, we recommend waiting one cycle between retrievals. However, patients with time-sensitive issues such as cancer treatments, or egg and/or embryo preservation, may go through back-to-back cycles.

6. Does IVF increase my chance of miscarriage?

No, the miscarriage rate for IVF patients is approximately equal to that in the general population. There are certain factors that can make it seem as if patients undergoing fertility treatment experience pregnancy loss more frequently. Pregnancy is detected very early in women who undergo IVF; therefore, women who miscarry early are aware of a pregnancy that otherwise may have gone unrecognized. Additionally, many infertility patients are over 35. Women over the age of 35 have a naturally higher risk of miscarriage compared to younger women.  

Conclusion

These are just a few of the commonly asked questions patients have when starting IVF treatment. As you are preparing for your first appointment, write down as many questions as you can to ask your fertility doctor.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine, we want you to feel empowered, confident and prepared for your cycle. Your team is always here to answer questions and help guide you through the entire process. To begin your journey towards parenthood, schedule a consultation with one of our board certified fertility specialists.

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