Preparing For Egg Retrieval? 4 Steps To Take Before The Procedure
If you've been having trouble getting pregnant and your doctor has recommended IVF, it's time to start thinking about the egg retrieval. Your eggs are one of the key components to a successful IVF procedure. To make sure you have the best outcome possible, it's important that you take some time to prepare for the procedure. Here are four steps you should take when preparing for your egg retrieval.
Make Your Eggs the Best They Can Be
When it comes to time to retrieve your eggs, you're going to want them to be as healthy as possible. That's why it's crucial that you do everything you can to improve the quality of your eggs. While age may play a factor in the quality of your eggs, there are other factors involved as well. In the weeks leading up to your retrieval, spend some time improving your health, and the health of your eggs. Get plenty of low-impact exercise. Take time to relax. Eat a healthy diet. You may even want to look into follicle stimulating hormones. Above all else, stay away from stress.
Know Yourself from the Inside Out
You might not realize this, but your ovaries play a big role in the egg retrieval process. The last thing you want to do is find out that your ovaries aren't ready for the process. Before you schedule your egg retrieval, get to know yourself from the inside out. Schedule a trans-vaginal scan so that you can find out how your ovaries are doing. Your trans-vaginal scan will identify potential problems that could interfere with your IVF procedure, and with the health of your eggs.
Prepare for the Procedure
Once you have your egg retrieval scheduled, take your mind off everything else. You'll need to be as relaxed as possible to ensure a positive outcome. To get the rest and relaxation you're going to need, take yourself off the grid for a couple of weeks before the procedure. Take time off from work, kick back, and relax.
Think Ahead to the Future
While you're retrieving eggs for your IVF procedure, it's a good idea to think about the future. You want to plan for the possibility that you might need to repeat the procedure a couple of times before you have successful results. To make sure you have high quality eggs to use, talk to your doctor about egg freezing. This is particularly important if you're worried about your age. Freezing your eggs while you're young will extend the time you will have to attempt IVF.