If I could go back and do IVF for the first time in my 40s, here’s what I’d tell myself 🤍
1. Watching numbers drop from retrieval to day 5 embryos was something I wasn’t prepared for.
2. Prepare your body BEFORE starting. IVF already puts a lot on your system, so focusing on lowering inflammation, regulating your nervous system, and supporting your health beforehand makes such a difference. I help women prepare for IVF 3-4 months before egg retrieval to get the best outcome.
3. Research your clinic thoroughly. Not every clinic gives the same level of care. I saw 9 fertility doctors for a reason. Shop around! You’re paying for a service and you want the best!
4. Get deeper lab testing done months before retrieval or transfer. Looking at optimal ranges - not just “normal” ranges - can help you prep for IVF.
IVF can be one of the hardest journeys, but also one of the most rewarding 🤍 I’m so grateful for my IVF journey because now I help women all over the world get the best possible results from IVF.
Comment “IVF” if you want info on my IVF prep support plan.
Going through IVF in your 40s can be an emotional and physical rollercoaster, and reflecting on my own experience, there are a few additional insights I’d like to share. One of the biggest challenges is managing expectations around embryo development. Witnessing the decrease in viable embryos from retrieval to day 5 can feel disheartening. It's important to remember that this is a common part of the process and doesn’t necessarily reflect your overall chances of success. Patience and emotional support are crucial. Preparing your body well in advance—at least three to four months before egg retrieval—can significantly impact your results. Beyond lowering inflammation and balancing your nervous system, incorporating a nutrient-rich diet, gentle exercise, and stress reduction techniques like meditation helped me maintain better hormonal balance and improve my energy levels. Many women underestimate how much their overall health can affect IVF outcomes. When researching fertility clinics, consider not only success rates but also the personalized care they offer. During my journey, I found that clinics with team-oriented approaches and empathetic staff made a huge difference in how supported I felt throughout each phase. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about protocols, lab environments, and patient follow-up services. Lastly, comprehensive lab tests tailored to your specific needs revealed underlying issues that standard tests missed. Optimal ranges for hormone levels, thyroid function, and vitamin D, among others, gave my medical team valuable clues that guided targeted interventions before and during IVF cycles, improving the quality of my eggs and embryos. Overall, IVF in your 40s requires a holistic approach—physical preparation, emotional resilience, and informed decision-making. The journey might be tough, but with the right guidance and self-care, it can lead to rewarding outcomes. If you’re considering IVF, take the time to listen to your body and seek out personalized support to enhance your chance of success.
