Navigating IVF: your guide to supplements nutrition and wellness
Starting an IVF cycle can feel overwhelming, and it’s completely normal to have questions about how to best prepare your body. At The Evewell, our nurses are here to support you every step of the way. From understanding the right supplements to take, to making informed choices about nutrition and exercise, this guide will help you feel confident and empowered as you begin your journey.
What supplements should I be taking before and during an IVF cycle?
- Our standard recommendation of supplements includes:
- For women: Ubiquinol 200mg twice a day OR CoQ10 200mg three times a day
- Folic acid 400mcg daily
- Vitamin D 1000iu (2000iu before starting stimulation medication)
- For men: Impryl and Vitamin D 1000iu (2000iu before your partner starts stimulation).
- Your consultant may have recommended other supplements in addition to or in place of what we have listed above based on your clinical circumstances. These will be outlined in your initial consultation letter. Please continue to take these as advised.
- We advise you to avoid any Chinese medicines and Vitamin A, including retinol products.
- If you wish to seek advice from a nutritionist, we are happy to support this. They are experts in their field and as long as they are aware of your fertility journey and what supplements you are already taking, you can follow their recommendations without checking with us.
We do not have a preference regarding particular brands as long as they are providing you with the recommended dose. As long as they are indicated to be safe in pregnancy.
What should I be eating before and during an IVF cycle?
- Your alcohol intake should be minimal during stimulation and stop before egg collection and for a few days after the procedure.
- During pregnancy, there is no ‘safe’ level of alcohol known and therefore, the advice is to not drink at all.
- Generally, the recommendation is that you eat an ‘Anti-inflammatory diet’ which includes Mexican, Lebanese and Mediterranean-type diets. Lots of green leafy vegetables, grilled protein (minimal red meat), small meals and often, brown rice, legumes and low Glycaemic Index foods.
- During pregnancy, there are foods you need to avoid – we recommend the NHS website for a full list.
- Oral probiotics such as kefir, natural yoghurt and kombucha can help with symptoms of bloating and constipation.
What exercise can I do during an IVF cycle?
- Your exercise regime should be mainly low impact, gentle exercise during your stimulation.
- Following egg collection/embryo transfer, you should abstain from exercise in the short term.
- Light yoga, pilates (not reformer) and walking are always recommended. If you are attending a class, we recommend that you inform your instructor about where you are in the treatment cycle so they can modify moves/exercises if necessary, as some postures can twist the abdomen area.
- In pregnancy, exercise is safe in moderation. However, we wouldn’t recommend starting a new exercise regime during pregnancy.
- You can continue to exercise, but please avoid any high-impact, heavy-lifting and high-intensity workouts.
- If you were to experience any complications in pregnancy, such as bleeding and/or pain, you should stop immediately and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Any questions? We're here to help.
If your answer isn’t here, please send us an email using one of the links below, including your full name and patient ID, and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Support from The Evewell
Our team of consultants and nurses have pulled together a series of support articles to help you at every point in your fertility journey.
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