What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of IVF Success?

Your body is doing a lot during IVF! While you can’t control everything, there are ways to help improve your chances during IVF. Here’s what research suggests.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

• Being significantly overweight or underweight can reduce success rates.

• Aim for a balanced BMI unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

  
  

Eat a Fertility-Friendly Diet

• A Mediterranean-style diet (lots of veggies, fruits, lean proteins, healthy fats like olive oil, and whole grains) may improve fertility outcomes.

• Stay hydrated, limit processed foods, and avoid excessive sugar.

Limit Alcohol and Quit Smoking

• Smoking can damage eggs and sperm.

• Alcohol should be avoided during treatment and pregnancy.

  
  

Exercise – But in Moderation

• Light to moderate exercise (walking, yoga, gentle stretching) is great for overall health and stress relief.

• Avoid excessive high-impact workouts, especially during ovarian stimulation and after embryo transfer.

Manage Stress and Emotional Health

• IVF can feel like an emotional rollercoaster.

• Stress management techniques such as:

  • Meditation or mindfulness

  • Yoga or gentle movement

  • Counseling or therapy

  • Talking openly with your partner, friends, or support groups

Get Enough Sleep

• Aim for 7-9 hours of good-quality sleep nightly.

• Poor sleep can affect hormone levels and mental health.

  
  

Take Supplements (with Doctor’s Approval)

• Prenatal vitamins

• CoQ10 may help egg quality in some women

• Vitamin D if deficient

Never start supplements without medical guidance.

Attend All Appointments

• Monitoring appointments are crucial for adjusting medications.

• Keep open communication with your clinic about any side effects.

Avoid Excess Heat

• Hot tubs, saunas, and very hot baths can temporarily impact circulation and hormone levels. It’s safest to avoid them during IVF cycles.

Advocate for Yourself

• Don’t hesitate to ask questions or request clarifications from your fertility team.

• Trust your instincts if something feels off physically or emotionally.

  
  

Partner’s Role

Partners should:

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Avoid heat exposure

• Eat a balanced diet

• Quit smoking

Bottom Line: Small lifestyle tweaks might help boost your IVF success—and they’ll support your health regardless of outcome.