The answers to burning questions for every couple planning to undergo fertility treatment.
For some couples, having a child of their own seem like a far-fetched dream. After trying endlessly, there’s only so little hope left when no fruits bear.
This is where the situation gets tougher as you reach the crossroad as you figure out the next step you should take.
One option to consider is fertility treatments.
There is no doubt that this is a major decision as its life changing in all areas of a couple’s life. Fertility treatments involve your physical health, relationship, psychological health and finance as well.
Dr. Lau Soon Yen, Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist at Genesis IVF & Women’s Specialist Clinic shares important factors couples should weigh in when considering fertility treatments.
Fact #1 – Ready or not?
How soon should you opt for fertility treatments? According to Dr. Lau, generally, if couples have been trying for a year but have yet to conceive, it is best to check for obvious causes of infertility. However, for couples who are older, Dr. Lau highlights that it’s best to consult a fertility specialist earlier.
Fact #2 – Diet specifications
There are many myths circulating on this subject and sometimes, you might not know which are medical based and which are not. So, Dr. Lau debunks the diet specifications for a couple planning to undergo fertility treatment. According to him, the basic principles of a healthy diet is sufficient. During the stages of pregnancy and treatment, fruits and vegetables are essential. Your consumption of coffee and tea on the other hand should be in moderation. Folic acid prior to conception is also recommended. For example, plant-based protein is encouraged.
Fact #3 – It’s more than just your fitness level
Does a person with fit physique have a higher chance of a successful? Many people tend to assume that exercise is always helpful when it comes to combating health issues. However, this shouldn’t be over emphasised as many factors come into consideration and not just physical fitness. For example, pre-existing medical conditions.
“Particularly when it comes to fertility treatments, mild to moderate or low impact exercises may be beneficial such as swimming rather than cardiovascular exercise,” says Dr. Lau.
Fact #4 – Stress during treatment
Excessive stress can be dangerous and it’s important to know how to manage stress well as it influences your entire physical health. Hence, being certain and understanding the situation well can help a lot.
According to Dr. Lau, a prior assessment with a fertility specialist as well as a good understanding of the fertility treatment process as well as success rates can help you to manage stress better. It’s also important to opt for a professional team of fertility experts and have a good patient-partner emotional support can help to ease the possible emotional burden during treatment.
Fact #5 – Life is as usual
Unless your lifestyle involves extreme sports or a very unhealthy diet, there is no need for major changes to your lifestyle during fertility treatment.
Dr. Lau highlights that of course, a good night’s sleep is beneficial to your overall health and hence, a healthy sleep pattern is important.
On top of that, when the need for fertility treatment arises, the selected IVF team including your doctor’s expertise and a history of high success rates, paired with a highly skilled and experienced embryologist does contribute to the outcome of the treatment.
Besides these highlighted, according to Dr. Lau, other factors that have a high impact on success rates includes the use of Pre-implantation Genetic Screening / Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGS/PGD) which is available in Genesis IVF & Women’s Specialist Centre. This will definitely increase the chances of reducing your treatment time and at the end of the day, to bring home the child of your dreams.
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