Implantation after IVF: 10 crucial tips

Can you improve implantation chances after an IVF transfer? It’s the question all our patients ask, and rightly so. Your embryo transfer went well. Your emotions are highly charged. You’ll do anything to make implantation happen. So here are 10 tips to improve your implantation prospects after an IVF cycle.

1. Take time off.

We mean it. Implantation takes place between 1 and 5 days after a blastocyst transfer. If you didn’t have a day-5 transfer, your implantation window is 6 to 10 days after egg retrieval. Take that week off. There’s no hard evidence to suggest being home alone helps – but research isn’t everything. Stay at home. Take it easy. Watch TV. Don’t stress. Be anywhere except the office. This is your time.

2. Go for blastocysts. And put in two.

Research says blastocysts have higher implantation rates than younger embryos. You need great embryos (and a receptive uterus) to maximise implantation after IVF. Sure, your doctor will tell you day-3 embryos can make it. But if your embryos develop into good-quality blastocysts, things may turn out better. Transfer a hatching or expanding blastocyst and implantation is even more likely.

How your embryos develop is, of course, out of your control. But just be aware that top-grade embryos boost your chances. If you’re over 40, the plain truth is that donor eggs and embryos deliver the best implantation rates. Putting in two, where each embryo has an equal chance of implanting, may be a risk worth taking when you’re older. Talk to your doctor and ignore the one-at-a-time brigade.

3. Get your lining in shape.

Implantation can’t happen if your endometrial lining is too thin. It’s vital to check how your lining is thickening during an IVF cycle. 7 mm is the target on transfer day, but 8 mm or more is optimal. If you’re having donor eggs, donor embryos or a frozen embryo cycle, you’ll be on estrogen. Check your lining thickness at least 4 days before you’re due to start your progesterone. This gives you time to increase your estrogen intake if needed. And avoid estrogen patches: pills work better.

4. Implantation foods? Tread with care.

Google pineapple and you’ll read it’s good for implantation. Nonsense. The same goes for green tea, raspberry leaves, bananas, tofu and 101 other so-called implantation foods. If your uterus needed specific foods to boost implantation, your clinic would have prescribed them. How many Mongolian yams does your pharmacy keep in stock?

The reason it’s dangerous to fixate on specific foods around implantation is that they may cause more harm than good. They detract you from what you should be doing: eating a balanced diet from at least three months before your fertility treatment starts. Avoid processed foods, limit your sugar, eat good carbohydrates, add in oily fish twice a week, don’t neglect proteins and pulses, take a daily multivitamin with folic acid… you get the idea.

5. Your uterus loves progesterone. Take the right one.

Progesterone makes your uterine lining super-receptive. Taken from egg retrieval day, it prepares your endometrium to receive your embryos in style. But some progesterone supplements are more equal than others. We took, and recommend, intramuscular injections (Gestone and Agolutin). Progesterone-in-oil shots release the hormone slowly and evenly throughout the body. No messy pessaries or oral pills that can send you sky-high. Progesterone injections create an optimal environment for implantation. Trust us, it’s worth the pain.

6. Screen those embryos… maybe.

Fact: older women produce poorer-quality eggs. Another fact: embryos produced by older women have a higher chance of chromosomal abnormalities. If you’re over 40 and having IVF with your own eggs, it may be worth have PGD (also known as PGS) to screen out chromosomal problems and specific medical conditions. It’s not for everyone. But genetic screening has improved over the last few years and the new a-CGH method is getting promising results. Speak to your clinic: PGD might improve your implantation chances. Might.

7. Expensive extras? The jury’s out.

Heard the one about embryo glue? Or time-lapse cameras? Or uterine testing to predict your most fertile window for embryo transfer? They sound good, but the truth is, their effectiveness hasn’t been conclusively proved in large, randomized medical trials. They claim to improve implantation rates. Until we see more research, take those claims with a pinch of salt. Trust the traditional light microscope and embryologist skill. You’re better off checking the experience and credentials of your clinic’s embryology team that paying through the nose for technology that hasn’t been rubber-stamped – yet.

8. Bleeding? Could be good news.

Implantation bleeding after an IVF cycle is common. Look out for a little light spotting – a pink or brown discharge – in the days just after your transfer. If it’s accompanied by mild cramping, things may really be going your way. Whatever happens, don’t stop your meds. Do a pregnancy test on the day you should (not before) to find out.

9. Have a scratch – your uterus will love you.

Endometrial scratches are becoming popular – and the research is looking promising. In the days leading up to the menstrual bleed at the start of your IVF cycle, a surgical scratch of your uterine lining may prime your womb for implantation. Ask your clinic if they’ll do it. If you’re having a hysteroscopy, time it right and have an endometrial lining scratch at the same time.

10. Relax. But no baths.      

Hot baths and implantation don’t mix. Or at least, there’s some evidence that sitting in hot water for long periods isn’t a good idea. So play safe: have quick, two-minute, warm showers and abandon the bubble bath for a few weeks. Relaxation is key – just don’t do it in the tub around implantation time!

Hope you enjoyed our tips on implantation and IVF. We really hope you get a positive result. And if you do, you can work out your IVF due date here.

Prepare for Conception with a Fertility Cleanse…

Hethir Rodriguez C.H., C.M.T.

2K+

Article Overview

• Fertility Cleansing
• Why Fertility Cleanse?
• Do You Need To Cleanse?
• Fertility vs. Regular Cleanse
• Fertility Cleansing Herbs
• Fertility Cleanse Tips & Q&A

I am sure you have heard about cleansing from one place or another, maybe it was about cleansing your colon or detoxifying your liver. While it may seem like a new fad, cleansing has been around for thousands of years, used by the Japanese & Egyptians to the Native Americans. Cleansing has always been used as a natural way to keep the body healthy and may be one of the most beneficial things to do before you get pregnant.

Fertility Cleansing

The time while you are preparing for conception is one of the most important times to create a healthy body in preparation for pregnancy. It is also the best time to do a fertility cleanse. Fertility cleansing is a way to support the body in preparation for conception by cleansing the uterus and liver. A fertility cleanse encourages the liver to cleanse the body of toxins and excess hormones. It also supports the uterus to cleanse itself of old stagnant blood and increases circulation to the uterus while tonifying the uterine tissues.

Note: Do not cleanse during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You do not want to expose your baby to your body’s toxins as they circulate in your blood on the way out.

Why Fertility Cleanse?

The time while you are preparing for conception is one of the most important times to create a healthy body in preparation for pregnancy.

Over the years the body can accumulate toxins from chemicals in the air, earth, water and from substances we consume daily or slather on our skin. Many of these toxins get stored in the fat tissues of the body and can be released quicker through cleansing. Some of these toxins may be left from:

• Birth control
• Cigarette Smoke
• Pesticides
• Excess hormones
• Poor diet
• Alcohol, etc.

Ideally we would like our bodies to be as healthy as possible during pregnancy, through cleansing we are able to support the body in its natural ability to rid itself of these substances.

While cleansing is beneficial, not just any cleanse is going to be beneficial for fertility. A fertility cleanse is specific to the reproductive system and assists the body in eliminating the additional burden of substances not good for fertility.

A fertility cleanse focuses on three major areas that can help the body to prepare for conception.

Liver Health
The liver helps to filter toxins from the body including excess hormones. If there is an over abundance of estrogen it is the livers job to remove it from the system. Some times, due to poor diet, lifestyle or general health, the liver may need some stimulation and support to get rid of these substances. By using whole herbs to support the liver you are helping your body to better cope with our industrial world and the impact it could be having on reproductive health. I will cover these herbs below.

Uterine Health 
Uterine health is very important for reproductive health. Every cycle the uterus is supposed to release the lining that was built that month for the embryo to implant. In some cases the uterus is not completely cleansed every cycle, so old stagnant blood remains. As you can imagine, this is not the best environment to house a new embryo.

What causes the uterus to not fully release its contents every month? Some factors may be…

• Low circulation
• Hormonal imbalance
• Unhealthy diet
• Misplaced uterus

Through using specific cleansing and uterine herbs you can help support your uterine health, increase circulation and help tonify the uterine muscles, all helping to promote a healthy uterine environment.

Increasing circulation to the uterus
In order for the uterus to function at it’s best, it requires proper circulation. With proper circulation the communication loop between the uterus and ovaries with the endocrine system is able to function smoothly. This is necessary for proper hormonal balance and all of the functions dependent on it such as ovulation, menstruation, and hormone production. Herbs may be beneficial in helping to increase the circulation to the uterus as well as exercise and massage.

Do You Need To Cleanse?

Do you experience PMS?  Do you experience unexplained fatigue?  Do you feel congested?  Have you been on birth control?  Do you have acne?  Do you have less than 1 bowel movement a day?  Do you have dark circles under your eyes?  Do you have liver spots or itchy skin?  Have you been on medication or antibiotics for longer than 1 week?  During your menses do you have dark blood, cramps, or blood clots?  Do you eat conventional meats and dairy?  Are you experiencing hormonal imbalance?  Do you experience frequent colds and flu?

Cleansing for Fertility VS. Other Types of Cleansing

Are you wondering what the difference between a cleanse specifically for fertility and a normal cleanse? There are many differences between the two. General body cleansing is wonderful and a great way to help support the body, but if you are preparing for conception a fertility cleanse is more specific and focused on your needs. Below I have listed some of the differences between fertility cleansing and regular cleansing so you can see the benefits of cleansing specifically for fertility.

Works with the phases of the menstrual cycle
When doing a fertility cleanse we focus on cleansing certain parts of the body during specific phases of the menstrual cycle. For instance the liver phase of the fertility cleanse is done from the first day after your period has ended up until ovulation. We do this because this is a stimulating time of your cycle, perfect for encouraging the liver to work a little harder. The uterine phase of the fertility cleanse should be done from ovulation until the first day of your period. This is more of a nourishing and building stage of the cycle, when uterine herbs can help to support hormonal balance, increase uterine muscle tone and bring circulation right before the period begins.

With general cleanses, they do not focus on the most supportive times of your cycle or your fertility at all.

Whole Herbs
Cleanses come in many different forms, some are capsules and teas, some are fiber powders and drinks, while others are dramatic diet shifts. When it comes to fertility cleansing we want to do what is most effective and specific. We have found that using whole herbs in the form of teas, capsules and a tincture to be most holistic, effective and gentle.

Gentle on the system yet effective
There is a wide spectrum of cleanses from a one day to 90 days entailing lots of trips to the bathroom and some time off from work. We have found that when preparing for conception you do not want to do anything really dramatic or potentially harmful so we focus on cleansing in a gentle yet effective way that is supportive or reproductive health. While doing a fertility cleanse you are able to continue going to work and function in your every day life. We don’t require any dramatic dietary changes, but do suggest you begin to switch to a fertility diet.

There are no overly strong cleansing reactions while on the fertility cleanse except for some possible minor moodiness due to the liver cleansing itself. When toxins and hormones are being released this can sometimes make one cranky, similar to PMS. This is good and can be helped by drinking more water.

Supportive of Fertility and Reproduction
Cleansing for fertility is very supportive and encouraging for fertility and the reproductive system. While there are many great cleanses out there, focusing on doing a cleanse specific for fertility is going to be the safest, gentle and most supportive while you are preparing for pregnancy.

Fertility Cleansing Herbs

Fertility cleansing is best done using whole herbs as they are the safest way to encourage cleansing in the body. Below are some of the herbs used in fertility cleansing.

Liver Cleansing Herbs

Burdock Root: Nourishing and cleansing for the liver, aiding in hormonal balance. Supports overall liver function for improved hormonal balance.
Milk Thistle Seed: Supports hormonal balance. It is one of the best plants for liver health. Liver health is vital for hormonal balance. The liver helps to filter toxins from the body, including excess hormones.
Dandelion Root:The leaf is very nourishing and is high in vitamins and minerals. The root aids in liver health, stimulates digestion for improved hormonal balance.
Yellow Dock Root:Stimulates bile production for healthy removal of toxins, supportive of liver health and is high in iron.
Licorice Root: Licorice is an adaptogen herb, supporting the endocrine system for overall hormonal support.
Ginger Rt.: Increases circulation in the body helping to support healthy circulation and normal detoxification.

Uterine Cleansing & Support Herbs

Goldenseal Root: Anti-inflammatory. Reduction in inflammation may help to prevent scar tissue and adhesion formation. Cleanses to the uterus.
Damiana Leaf: A female aphrodesiac, damiana has been used for centuries to help increase circulation to the reproductive system as well as increase sexual pleasure.
Dong Quai Root: Dong Quai increases circulation, which helps to bring in fresh healthy blood to remove excess tissue growth, heal tissue damage, limit scar tissue and adhesion formation.
Peony Root: Overall this herb has excellent hormone balancing support. It also aids in pain reduction and relaxation. Moves the blood in the pelvic area, good for uterine stagnation.
Raspberry Leaf: Raspberry leaf works to tone the uterine muscles and normalize blood flow during menses. This is one of the best normalizing herbs for the female reproductive organs.

Click here to purchase the Fertility Cleanse kit that contains all of these herbs…

Fertility Cleanse Tips & Q&A

Can I take my other supplements while I am fertility cleansing?
While fertility cleansing it is best to not take additional ‘new’ herbs or supplements unless they are your multivitamin, omega 3, or fertility superfoods. Herbs or supplements that were started previous to doing a fertility cleanse can be continued.

How should I eat during my Fertility Cleanse?
During the Fertility Cleanse it is not mandatory that you change your eating habits, BUT it is a great time to begin moving towards a fertility friendly diet. One of the most popular ways our clients do the Fertility Cleanse is to combine it with our 21 Day Fertility Diet Challenge (you can find this explained in the eBook ‘21 Day Fertility Diet Challenge’ at www.Natural Fertility Shop.com). This challenge has you add 5 foods to your existing daily diet, making it easy to add fertility friendly foods to your day.

Can we try to conceive the month I am doing the Fertility Cleanse?
We suggest that couples refrain from trying to conceive during the month of a Fertility Cleanse. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that there are herbs in the Fertility Cleanse that are not suggested during pregnancy. The second is the Fertility Cleanse works best in preparation before conception. It must be completed in its entirety for the best results, we do not want you stopping the cleanse before it is complete. If you think you may be pregnant you should discontinue the cleanse.

Can I do the Fertility Cleanse while I am on birth control?
We do not suggest that the Fertility Cleanse be performed while on birth control or other hormonal medications. If you are currently using medications, check with your doctor before starting any herbal or nutritional supplement program.

Is it safe to do a Fertility Cleanse while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, do not cleanse during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The herbs in the Fertility Cleanse are not to be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.

How do I know that the Fertility Cleanse is working?
Many women wonder what ‘signs’ to look for to know that the Fertility Cleanse is working. For some they may ‘feel’ different, get their periods back, see a shift in their cycles, experience relief from occasional menstrual cramps, and many feel nothing at all. Just because someone may not ‘feel’ any different does not mean that the Fertility Cleanse did not work. The Fertility Cleanse will help every person who performs it. Some women are more sensitive than others and ‘feel’ a lot, while others will not ‘feel’ anything, but get great benefit. Remember, the Fertility Cleanse is supporting the body in its normal functions, it works for each person to help nourish and support the liver and uterus in preparation for conception.

Will the Fertility Cleanse help me get my period back?
There could be many reasons someone is not menstruating – diet, hormonal imbalance, stress, nutritional deficiencies, etc. Many of our clients who were experiencing slight hormonal imbalances have gotten their periods back from only doing the Fertility Cleanse, but this will not work for everyone because/depending on the cause of the lack of menstruation. So we see the Fertility Cleanse as the first step towards getting a period back, with additional steps to follow such as diet changes, additional herbs to be taken monthly, stress reduction plans, etc. If you do get your period back due to the Fertility Cleanse, think of it as a bonus! But we do not depend on it alone, as the underlying imbalances/issues need to be addressed and the Fertility Cleanse is just the first step of many, but the best place to start.

Will the Fertility Cleanse be the only product I have to take to get pregnant?
No, most likely not. We have had some clients conceive directly after completing the Fertility Cleanse, but it is not designed as a fertility booster, but as a fertility preparation tool to help the body prepare for conception. It is the foundational program most of our customers begin with. Those clients without fertility issues complete a Fertility Cleanse as a healthy and great way to prepare for conception.

How many times can I do the Fertility Cleanse a Year?
We suggest to complete a Fertility Cleanse twice a year.

Click here to learn about common misconceptions about fertility cleansing…

一路上有你/张学友

Natural Ways to Support Your Body Through an IVF Cycle

Dalene Barton-Schuster, CH, Doula

What can you do once you begin your IVF cycleto support a successful implantation and pregnancy? This is a major concern for many of our clients preparing for an upcoming IVF, and for good reason. We suggest that women going for IVF take at least 3-6 months prior to beginning medications for the procedure, to prepare their body naturally for pregnancy and to increase their chance of success. So, once a woman begins her medications for IVF, what can she do to continue to support her body while simultaneously increasing her odds of achieving a healthy pregnancy?

The Best Natural Ways to Support the Body During IVF

The following ideas are what you can do during your IVF cycle or when you’re running low on time to prepare.

Prenatal Multivitamin

This would seem like it is a given, but if you are currently not taking a prenatal multivitamin, but rather a preconception multivitamin, it may be time to switch. The month prior to planned pregnancy is a great time to give the body the nutrition it needs for pregnancy. We really love Baby and Me Multivitamin. It is made from 100% whole foods and is gentle on the stomach (important with the emotional stress and nervous tension that often arises during IVF).

Smoothies with Superfoods & Fresh Juices

Smoothies and fresh juices are two great ways to keep you on track with healthy eating and they align with our fertility diet guidelines. They both help provide the body with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.

When it comes to smoothies you can add in superfood supplements to make your smoothies into a meal. We love fertility superfoods, but some superfoods are not safe to combine with fertility medications commonly used during IVF.

Superfoods to add to smoothies – Organic Spirulina is a protein, vitamin rich blue-green algae. Preliminary studies show that supplementation through pregnancy with spirulina may help to prevent preeclampsia.
Another superfood we love is FertiliWhey protein powder from grass-fed, free range cows. Why? It too is an excellent protein source at 16g. per serving. Protein is required for the building of body tissues, including the formation of your baby. Getting enough protein during the first trimester may also help to deter morning sickness.
These two supplements are a great way to boost nutrition levels and are safe to continue throughout your pregnancy.
What to avoid – Royal Jelly, Maca, Shatavari or anything that contains these (ie. FertiliGreens). This is because these have an action on hormones and doctors want a very controlled hormonal environment in order to achieve a positive outcome – pregnancy!

Juicing
Juicing is an excellent way to give the body fresh nutrients from a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, without the pulp, so they are quickly absorbed and utilized by the body. Juicing is a delicious way to greatly boost nutrition levels. To learn how to juice click here…

Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil is an abundant source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, namely EPA and DHA. These two acids have been shown to be absolutely critical to proper brain and nervous system development in your baby. Cod liver oil is also an excellent source of fat soluble vitamins D3 and A.

Benefits of cod liver oil supplementation:

• Supports healthy mood and behavior – great to help prevent depression and postpartum depression
• Supports healthy circulation to the reproductive organs
• Aids hormone regulation
• Supports cellular health
• Important for proper brain, eye, central nervous system and heart development
• May help prevent low birth weight and premature birth weight
• Aids bone development, immune system function, gene transcription, eye development and cell proliferation – all very important for pregnancy and a healthy baby!

Uterine Calming Herbs for Implantation Support

One aspect of IVF that weighs heavy on a woman’s mind is implantation. Soon you will have a healthy embryo (or more) for transfer, now all that needs to take place for pregnancy to occur is implantation. A calm uterus is going to be more receptive to implantation.

The time leading up to transfer is a great time to focus on your uterus and nervous system. The herbal blend UteriCalm is an excellent way to help calm and prepare the uterus for implantation. This liquid blend contains herbs that not only calm, relax and prepare the uterus for implantation, they work to support the nervous system, so your body will better handle the potential stress, anxiety and worry of the outcome of this procedure. The herbs in this blend have been shown to be supportive of early pregnancy through the first trimester. In addition, none of these herbs has an action on the hormonal system, so they are considered safe in most cases* to use at the same time you are on medications for IVF.

Click here to learn more about the herbs in UteriCalm…

Acupuncture

If you haven’t been receiving this natural treatment regularly, it would be a good time to book an appointment with your local acupuncturist. Several studies show that acupuncture can increase the likelihood of pregnancy in patients going for IVF.

We have some articles that cover this extensively, with great details on the best times to get the acupuncture treatments done…

How Acupuncture Can Improve IVF Success Rates
How to Increase Your IVF Success Rate Naturally (click on the Mind, Body & Spirit section in the menu)

How to Manage the Side Effects of Treatment

Don’t Forget Your Mind, Body and Spirit

Your mental and emotional state is very important to take care of during this sensitive and often stressful time. We have some mind and body practices that we feel are very effective at keeping you positive and focused on a successful outcome – a healthy pregnancy!

• Circle and Bloom – they have an excellent IVF preparation guide meditation/visualization program!
• The Fertile Mind Assisted Conception Program
• Affirmations
• Prayer
• Write in your journal
• Counseling
• Go dancing – you won’t regret it!

Very Gentle Liver Support

During the IVF cycle you may be taking a variety of hormonal medications which can be taxing on the liver. We find that very gentle herbal liver support with Dandelion root(Taraxacum officinale) is a great way to support and protect your liver throughout this procedure.

Dandelion root liquid extract (tincture) or decoction daily is a great way to gently support liver health, without altering how the body utilizes the medications you are taking. Dandelion is also a bitter herb; stimulating digestion, which will help your body digest and utilize the foods you are eating!

Dandelion root decoction: 2-8 grams dried root simmered over low heat in a cup of water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and drink one cup, 3 times a day.

A great resource for dried herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs.

Dandelion Tincture: In general 30 drops in a small cup of water, 3 times a day.

Great resources for Dandelion tincture are Elk Mountain Herbs or Herb Pharm.

8 Ways to Support Your Body Through IVF

Here is a quick guide to what you can do to support your body through your IVF procedure…

1. Eat a nutrient dense fertility diet and take your prenatal multivitamin
2. Gentle exercise such as simple yoga poses, brisk walking
3. Drink a fresh smoothie or juice daily – add in Organic Spirulina and FertiliWhey Protein
4. Supplement with Cod Liver Oil – continue through pregnancy and breastfeeding
5. UteriCalm – through the first trimester of pregnancy*
6. Acupuncture
7. Meditate, say positive affirmations or practice another mind, body and spirit practice – daily
8. Dandelion root – daily – discontinue after transfer

May your IVF be successful!

* As always, it is best to check with your doctor before beginning any new herbal supplement.