Fertility

Natural Ways to Improve IVF Success Rates

If you’re on the IVF journey, I want you to know that you’re not alone. IVF can feel emotionally and physically demanding, and it’s easy to get caught up in the medical side of things. While science and technology have come a long way, there are natural ways to support your body and give yourself the best possible environment for success. These approaches aren’t a guarantee, but they help your body feel nourished, supported, and ready.

1. Nourish Your Body with a Fertility-Friendly Diet

What you eat can impact how your body responds to IVF. I often encourage women and couples to focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods that support reproductive health.

  • Antioxidant-rich foods: Berries, leafy greens, nuts, and even dark chocolate can help protect your eggs and sperm from oxidative stress.
  • Healthy fats: Avocados, olive oil, and nuts support hormone production and cell function.
  • Nutrient-dense proteins: Grass fed and regenerative meats, pastured Eggs, wild caught fish, help repair cells and support egg quality.
  • Whole grains: Quinoa, oats, and brown rice provide essential B vitamins for reproductive health.
  • Hydration: Water keeps every system in your body running smoothly, including your reproductive organs.

For more on fertility nutrition and how it supports IVF, you can explore my best-selling book, The Egg Quality Diet.

2. Maintain Balanced Blood Sugar

Maintaining balanced blood sugar during IVF is a critical but often overlooked factor that can influence egg quality, embryo development, implantation, and overall IVF success. Even in individuals without a diagnosis of diabetes or PCOS, subtle insulin resistance and glucose variability can impair ovarian response, disrupt follicular fluid composition, and increase inflammatory signaling during stimulation. Emerging research continues to show that stable glucose regulation supports mitochondrial function within the egg and creates a more favorable hormonal and uterine environment for implantation. For some patients, the short-term use of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) during IVF can provide valuable insight into how food choices, stress, sleep, and medications affect blood sugar in real time, allowing for more personalized nutrition and lifestyle adjustments that support optimal reproductive outcomes.

3. Manage Stress with Gentle Practices

High stress can affect fertility by disrupting hormones. Supporting your nervous system is essential for IVF success:

  • Meditation and mindfulness: Even a few minutes a day can create a sense of calm and emotional resilience.
  • Acupuncture: Research suggests it can improve IVF outcomes by increasing blood flow to the uterus and reducing stress.
  • Journaling or counseling: Sharing your feelings and seeking support helps release mental and emotional burdens.

I always remind women that stress isn’t your fault. It’s your body communicating that it needs care.

4. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is foundational. Hormones are regulated while you rest, and a consistent 7–9 hours of sleep helps your body function optimally. Try to maintain a routine that allows for deep, restorative rest.

5. Reduce Exposure to Toxins

Our environment impacts fertility more than we often realize. Minimizing exposure can make a difference:

  • Choose natural cleaning and personal care products.
  • Avoid plastics with BPA; opt for glass or stainless steel containers.
  • Limit processed foods and artificial additives.

Creating a clean, supportive environment is one way to signal to your body that it’s safe to thrive.

6. Support Your Body with Supplements

Certain supplements can support reproductive health. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting anything new. Commonly recommended options include:

  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Supports egg quality and cellular energy.
  • Vitamin D: Helps regulate reproductive hormones.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduce inflammation and support embryo development.
  • Prenatal vitamins: Ensure adequate methyl folate and choline.

These are not magic pills, but tools to help your body feel supported from the inside out.

7. Stay Active, But Don’t Overdo It

Movement is medicine, but intensity matters. Regular activity like walking, yoga, or Pilates supports circulation and reduces stress without overstressing the body. Avoid excessive high-intensity workouts during IVF cycles.

8. Support Male Fertility

Male fertility is equally important for IVF success. Simple lifestyle choices can improve sperm quality:

  • Eat a diet rich in antioxidants.
  • Limit alcohol and avoid smoking.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Consider supplements like zinc, vitamin C, and CoQ10.

IVF is a partnership, and both bodies benefit from mindful support.

Final Thought

IVF is a journey, and it can feel overwhelming at times. Remember that your body is your ally. Every choice you make to nourish, rest, and support yourself helps create a safer, more supportive environment for conception.

, , , , ,