IVF and Nutrition

What is IVF?

InVitro Fertilisation involves placing eggs and sperm in a laboratory dish to enable fertilisation to occur outside the body. The fertilised eggs are then transferred several days later into the woman’s uterus or womb where implantation and embryo development will hopefully occur just as in a normal pregnancy.

What is the relationship between weight and fertility?

· Having a BMI either above or below the accepted healthy weight range can have a detrimental affect of fertility

· However even a small amount of weight loss (5%) may improve fertility

· Overweight women have increased ovulation disorders and luteal phase defects

· Overweight women have reduced pregnancy and live birth rates

· Overweight women have a higher risk of medical complications in pregnancy e.g. diabetes and hypertension

· Therapies to help ovulation are not as successful and there may be a higher chance of miscarriage

How can good nutrition and regular exercise help fertility and successful IVF outcomes?

· Good nutrition and exercise are important for maintaining good health and achieving a healthy weight may help restore menstrual and ovulatory cycles and consequently increase spontaneous ovulation and increase pregnancy rates

· Overweight women who lose weight through exercise and a healthy diet have a reduced miscarriage rate from 75% to 20% dependant on age, and a reduced rate of congenital abnormalities or birth defects

· Improvements in chance of conception are seen if a well balanced diet is commenced at least 3-4 months prior to conception

· Taking Folic acid is associated with a reduced risk of neural tube defects

· Reducing stress improves ovulation

· High caffeine can decrease fertility, so it is recommended to limit caffeine