Are you hoping to start or grow your family in 2023? If so, now is the time to prep your body for conception. While there is no single right way to prepare your body for pregnancy, there are simple lifestyle changes that you can make to increase your chances of a successful conception. From improving your diet and lifestyle to understanding your fertility wellness, this blog post will provide practical advice on how to get your body ready for conception in 2023.
Get to a healthy weight
Use the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator to get an idea of what weight range you should be in for optimal health. Once you know your ideal weight, create a plan to reach it. This will likely involve dietary changes, increased physical activity, and stress management techniques.
The changes might seem overwhelming, but don't fret. Start by limiting processed foods and sugary beverages, as these can cause rapid weight gain and impede fertility. Include more nutrient-dense, whole foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains in your diet.
Start incorporating some type of physical activity each week. Exercise can help you manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve insulin sensitivity. This is especially important if you are overweight or obese and have difficulty losing weight due to metabolic factors.
If you need additional help or suggestions, consider meeting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to assess your individual needs and create a tailored plan for reaching a healthy weight before conception.
Quit smoking and drinking
For women and men planning to conceive, it is crucial to quit smoking and drinking. Cigarette smoking has been linked to decreased egg quality and count in women and reduced sperm quality in men. Excessive drinking can impact fertility and reproductive health in both males and females.
Giving up smoking and alcohol is an important step if you are trying to conceive. It not only hinders your chances of getting pregnant but also the health of your baby if you do get pregnant.
If you are having difficulty quitting on your own, seek help. There are resources available to assist you, including support groups, counseling, and prescription medications. You should speak with your doctor about the best options for you.
Reevaluate your diet
When it comes to optimizing your diet for fertility, reevaluating your diet is a must. Aim to cut back on processed and refined foods, as these tend to be higher in unhealthy fats and sugars that can be detrimental to your health. Instead, focus on adding more nutrient-dense, whole foods into your daily routines, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, and lean proteins. Foods rich in micronutrients such as folate, iron, zinc, and magnesium are important for reproductive health.
In addition to the type of food you’re consuming, it’s also important to be mindful of portion sizes. For meals, keep portions about the size of your fist or palm, and keep snacks small. Remember, eating too much or too little can both have an impact on fertility.
Finally, don’t forget about hydration! Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your body in balance. Aim to drink around eight glasses of water daily.
Get the right vitamins
Most women already know the vital role vitamins can play in their daily health and when they try to get pregnant. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that all women trying to conceive should begin taking a daily supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before conception.
In addition to folic acid, vitamins C, D, and B-12 can help improve fertility and outcomes for mom and baby. Vitamin C helps protect against cell damage while also helping increase progesterone levels. Vitamin D helps keep your immune system healthy and helps reduce inflammation in the body. Vitamin B-12 helps regulate red blood cell production and helps support nerve cells. Talk to your doctor about any additional supplements you may need to take when trying to conceive.
Speak to a specialist
If you are thinking about starting a family in 2023, it is important to start preparing now. One of the best steps is to speak with a fertility specialist. This way, you can ensure that you and your partner have the best chance of conceiving in the new year.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine suggests that couples, where the woman is under 35, should seek fertility help after a year of trying to conceive without success. While women over 35 should seek fertility help after six months. Women who are 40 or older should speak to a fertility specialist as soon as they decide they’d like to conceive.
At IVF FLORIDA, we understand that fertility can be a sensitive subject. Our team is here to provide the highest quality care with compassion and understanding. We will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
Contact the fertility specialists at IVF FLORIDA today to schedule a consultation.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 6 Jan 2023
The holidays can be stressful. And if this is your first holiday season going through fertility treatment, you may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of discussing your struggles with others. While you may feel comfortable sharing at times, the conversation can take a toll on your mental health. If you find yourself dreading an upcoming event or chats about your fertility struggles, here are some tips for dealing with it:
- Be selective with holiday events: If there is a holiday event that you know will have people present that may ask questions about growing your family, etc., feel free to decline the invitation. If you feel obliged, make an appearance and attempt to avoid those who will make you feel uncomfortable.
- Donate your time: Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, and research shows that it reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine.
- Treat yourself: Whether it is preparing your favorite meal, going on an overnight trip, or just hanging out at home with your favorite people or pets, doing something for yourself can help bring a sense of joy to a stressful time.
- Find a support group: Attend an in-person or virtual support group. Being around others dealing with the same emotions can help you feel less isolated and brings light to different coping strategies and techniques.
- Take a digital break: Being digitally connected 24/7 can cause havoc on your well-being. Unplugging for a few hours allows you to be more present and also helps reduce stress.
The holidays can bring out many heightened emotions, especially when dealing with infertility and treatment. The IVF FLORIDA fertility team can provide you with compassionate care and support during this difficult time. Contact our office for more information or to schedule a consultation.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 15 Dec 2022
After 40 years of practicing reproductive endocrinology, Dr. Steven J. Ory is retiring effective December 22, 2022.
Dr. Ory joined IVF FLORIDA in 1995 and has helped thousands of individuals and families realize their dream of having children. Although he will no longer have an active clinical practice, Dr. Ory plans to continue teaching at Florida International University, where he will train the next generation of reproductive endocrinologists and fertility specialists.
Read Dr. Ory's letter to patients here.
IVF FLORIDA is home to several caring and knowledgeable fertility doctors who can pick up your care after Dr. Ory’s retirement. Here is more information about each physician.
Dr. David I. Hoffman is subspecialty certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He joined IVF FLORIDA in 1986.
Dr. Marcelo J. Barrionuevo is subspecialty certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He joined IVF FLORIDA in 1998.
Dr. Vanessa N. Weitzman is subspecialty certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She joined IVF FLORIDA in 2008.
Dr. Daniel R. Christie is subspecialty certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He joined IVF FLORIDA in 2010.
Dr. Marc R. Gualtieri is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He joined IVF FLORIDA in 2015.
Dr. Laurice Bou Nemer is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She joined IVF FLORIDA in 2018.
Dr. Luis R. Hoyos is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and board eligible in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He joined IVF FLORIDA in 2021.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 954-247-6200. Our team can assist you and help answer any of your questions.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 8 Dec 2022
Egg freezing can be a very effective way to preserve fertility and have a baby later in life. Here are the top frequently asked questions about egg freezing at IVF FLORIDA.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing is preserving some of your eggs by retrieving them from your ovaries, freezing them, and storing them so you can use them in the future.
Who should consider egg freezing?
Egg freezing is recommended for women ages 30 to 40 (ideally women in their early-to-mid-30s) who wish to extend their fertility potential for future family-building options. Women may want to consider egg freezing at a younger age if there is a family history of premature ovarian failure or early menopause.
How does egg freezing work?
During a natural menstrual cycle, your body produces one egg to maturity. An egg-freezing cycle uses medications--similar to the ones naturally made in the body--to stimulate your ovaries to produce additional mature eggs, also known as follicles. Once the follicles are mature, the next step is an intravaginal procedure to retrieve available eggs. Mature eggs are then frozen using a "flash-freeze" process known as vitrification and stored in liquid nitrogen, where they can remain frozen indefinitely.
How does IVF FLORIDA determine candidates for egg freezing?
If you are considering egg freezing, you will complete simple diagnostic testing at IVF FLORIDA to learn your ovarian reserve (reproductive hormone levels and how many eggs are available). Your care team will combine your test results with your medical history and share their recommendations to help determine whether freezing now is in your best interest.
Does IVF FLORIDA work with patients newly diagnosed with cancer?
At IVF FLORIDA, our fertility specialists work closely with newly diagnosed patients and their cancer teams. All patients interested in fertility preservation will receive immediate consultation and the best preservation options based on their cancer treatment plan. Expedited treatment and coordination with cancer therapies are essential for patients with a recent cancer diagnosis. Those planning to have children in the future should consider sperm, egg, or embryo freezing at the time of diagnosis.
Why consider egg freezing?
There are many reasons to preserve your eggs, including:
1. Timing: Whether it is career-related, searching for the right partner, or just not feeling ready--mentally or financially-- egg freezing allows women to focus on their life and career goals without the added pressure of their biological clock ticking in the background.
2. Health Concerns: Reasons such as family history of early menopause, endometriosis, or a recent cancer diagnosis are just a few medical reasons women choose to freeze their eggs.
3. Fertility Freedom: Fertility in women rapidly declines after 35 years of age, and egg freezing gives the option to start a family later in life.
Why choose IVF FLORIDA?
IVF FLORIDA offers a Concierge Egg Freezing Program led by a highly qualified healthcare team, including a board-certified physician and nurse practitioner. Our program is custom designed to minimize the time investment and maximize the potential to conceive using frozen eggs should the need arise. We also provide patients with the highest level of support throughout the egg-freezing process.
How to get started?
To learn more about egg freezing at IVF FLORIDA, call 954-247-6200 or click here.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 2 Dec 2022
Traveling when you’re in the middle of fertility treatment requires a little planning and preparation. To make the experience a little less stressful, here are three tips to make traveling with fertility medication easier:
Plan ahead: If you’re in the middle of an IVF cycle, timing is everything! Traveling during an IVF cycle requires a strict schedule, especially if you’re switching time zones. Before traveling, speak with your care team to make sure you are prepared and have the supplies you need.
Before booking your travel arrangements, speak with your care team to make sure you get everything you’ll need (from monitoring to additional medication) ready to go before you leave town. Some key things to speak to your team about include:
- Monitoring: If you’re in the middle of your cycle, it’s important to schedule monitoring appointments at a fertility clinic located in your destination. Practices that are part of a large network, like IVF FLORIDA, have partner practices all over the country with qualified fertility teams that can monitor you while you’re out of town.
- Medication: You may need to obtain prior authorization from your insurance company for things like blood draws and medication if necessary, including refills of extra medication for your trip if needed.
Be informed: If you’re traveling by plane, contact your airline before your trip to gather important information about traveling with medication. Ask about specific protocols surrounding syringes, needles, and medicine that needs to be refrigerated.
In addition, when you arrive at the airport, speak with the TSA to let them know you are in the middle of fertility treatments and carrying medication and supplies including syringes. You can also request an X-Ray exemption if your doctor informs you that your medication shouldn’t go through the x-ray process. You may need a note, so check with your doctor before you go.
Pack accordingly: Luggage is notorious for getting lost. To avoid unnecessary stress, pack your medication in your carry-on.
If your plans involve a tropical destination, have a cooler or insulated lunch bag with freezer packs on hand to keep your medication at the proper temperature. And be sure to pack your medication in a waterproof case.
To learn more about traveling during fertility treatment, call us at 954-247-6200.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 15 Nov 2022