What I Did To Prepare For Our IVF Transfer

After a two year infertility journey of miscarriage, four failed rounds of IUI, a PCOS diagnosis and ultimately IVF – I discovered what actually worked for me in a successful IVF transfer. Now of course, there are SO many factors at play and this is by NO means medical advise – this is purely what I have learned from doctors, naturopaths, reproductive acupuncturists, dietitians, nutritionists, therapists and more.

For my first baby, we did two IVF transfers. After the first one failed, I massively changed up what I was doing to prepare for the second transfer that ultimately worked. Before doing our IVF transfer for baby number two – I created the exact same lifestyle and diet routines as our successful transfer, and we are thrilled that it worked the first time this time around. Again, so many factors go into a successful transfer, and the point of this post is hopefully to give at least one tip you can takeaway and try to implement on your own journey. As always, always check with your own doctor as everyones situation is so different and unique.

Prep – This would be for weeks/months leading up to the transfer:

1. Reproductive Acupuncture – I found a place in Austin (Sage Acupuncture) that specializes in fertility. All of their acupuncturists have masters degrees and also go through additional reproductive training. This not only helps decrease stress around this time, but they hit specific points that help with blood flow and ultimately set you up for a successful transfer. I like to habit stack while I am in an acupuncture appointment by listening to a fertility specific meditation. There are TONS of free ones on YouTube. I went twice a week leading up to the transfer, and then a specific pre-transfer appointment the day before, and a post-transfer appointment directly after my transfer the day of. More details on post-transfer tips below!
2. Decrease stress, less social commitments, only spending time with people that are positive and you feel comfortable discussing your journey with and are met with supportive responses – I wouldn’t say that I was “anti-social” per se, but I definitely spent more time at home and on self care than a ton of socializing with friends. I said no to more commitments especially at work. Really focused on delegation, to decrease my workload, setting proper work boundaries (ex: not working past 5 PM, taking your lunch break, etc.). I also really only surrounded myself with a small group of supportive friends that I felt comfortable discussing my journey with. A lot of people come from a good place but can say triggering comments, so I just tried to pull back a bit more from those relationships while I prepared my body to be a safe space to receive a healthy baby in my womb.
3. Prioritizing Self Care – Good sleep, stretching, meditation, taking warm baths, massages, facials – whatever you need to take care of YOU.
4. How you speak to yourself matters – I know this sounds wild but I really do feel like what you are saying to yourself about the outcome of the transfer makes a HUGE difference. Going into it – I just said over and over to other people, to myself, to my partner, to my doctor, therapist, everyone – I just know this one is going to work. I feel good about this. I feel confident. My body is strong and I know it is ready to receive a baby. My womb is ready. Really really focus on positive thoughts going into this.
5. Low Intensity Exercise – Walking, Yoga and Low Intensity Weight Lifting was what I primarily stuck to. In general, you just want to keep cortisol low. But that doesn’t mean NOT moving your body. Moving your body is still very important for blood flow!
6. Non toxic living – I really focused on cleaning up the products I was using, and my home. Check out my full post and product recs on this. So many products in our world are endocrine disruptors and I didn’t want to take any chances on this affecting our outcome.
7. Nutrient Dense Diet – My acupuncturist specifically recommend blood building foods such as: beets, spinach, walnuts, blackberries & cherries, bone broth, turmeric and cinnamon.
   • Foods I focused on incorporating based off of my favorite pregnancy nutrition book. Some of these are controversial, so as always do what you feel comfortable with <3.
     • Pasture Raised Eggs – Typically 3 eggs scrambled with beef tallow every morning for breakfast. Eggs are high in choline, which is extremely important for baby brain development. I actually take a choline supplement as well that my naturopath recommended (as always, check with your own doctor).
     • Grass Fed Butter/Ghee & Beef Tallow – Rich source of Vitamin A, D, K2 and E needed for development of babys body and brain. Also has iodine which is critical for thyroid function. DHA for brain development. Has arachidonic acid (AA), which is great for healthy skin, intestines, brain function, and supports dopamine function, essential to fertility. My favorite beef tallow linked here.
     • Bone Broth – great for collagen and strengthening gut lining. In general, warm foods are recommended!
     • Whole grains, nuts and legumes – Have choline as well (great for baby brain development), folate, magnesium, and more.
     • Variety of organic fruits and veggies (ideally in season!) – paired with healthy fats, cooked veggies vs. raw (helps to digest easier and better absorption).
     • Grass Fed, Pasture Raised Meats (full fat) – The amino acids and nutrients from good quality proteins are important for so many vital functions in not only our bodies, but ultimately, baby’s.
     • Beef Liver & Cod Liver – I actually take these as supplements. They are great sources of vitamin A, and D. Helps with strong bones, healthy skin, eyesight, metabolism, hormone production, helpful for proper organ development in baby. Cod Liver reduces risk of diabetes later in life for baby, and studies have shown that babies had a higher cognitive performance.
       • Vitamin A is extremely important for the development of the baby’s eyes, immunity, skin, and lungs, and helps build up their natural stores for the first few months of life. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to preventable blindness and can affect the baby’s immune function after birth. Studies have shown that babies with over 10,000 IU of Vitamin A had lower rates of birth defects, and lower risk of major malformations.
     • Mineral salt & trace minerals – imperative for keeping you hydrated. A lot of times when we’re struggling to feel hydrated yet we are drinking a ton of water – we might actual be mineral deficient. So when you’re drinking water but still experiencing brain fog, mood swings, headaches, fatigue – try adding some drops of trace minerals or a sprinkle of mineral salt into your water and see how you feel! This mineral salt is all I cook with as well!
     • Raw Cheddar and Raw Milk – 5x the quantity of choline, higher in fat soluble vitamins, CLA and omega 3s. Again, do what you are comfortable with here – for me personally, the benefits far outweighed the consequences. Raw cheddar is now in most grocery stores from brands like Organic Valley or Raw Farm. For Raw Milk – there are several local farmers you can purchase from – you want to focus on raw milk from A2 Grass Fed Cows. The argument for raw milk states that – pasteurized milk is heated to very high temps which actually kills a vast majority of nutrients, and this pasteurization process is what causes (in most cases) a large number of digestive issues associated with “dairy”. raw milk is a living whole food which provides excellent nutrition along with health-supporting enzymes and probiotics. Numerous scientific studies have shown that raw milk is correlated with decreased rates of asthma, allergies, eczema, otitis, fever, and respiratory infections. Raw milk also aids in recovery from antibiotic use, and provides many gut-healthy probiotics and enzymes.
       • A 2003 USDA/FDA report found that compared to raw milk, there were over 500+ more illnesses from Listeria due to deli meats, and 29 times more from pasteurized milk. In response, the CDC provided data on raw milk outbreaks from 1993-2005, and listed NO cases of food-borne illness from raw milk caused by listeria during the thirteen year period.
       • Raw milk that is carefully and intentionally produced for direct human consumption is a low-risk food with superb nutritional benefits. This type of raw milk is wholly different from raw milk being produced in unhygienic conditions. Raw milk intended for direct human consumption is produced in sanitary conditions, with much care to ensure that the animals are healthy and that the milk is clean. This type of raw milk is tested often and held to rigorous standards to ensure that it is being produced in a way that discourages pathogen growth.
8. Supplements – Again, always, always, check with your own doctor. Just sharing a few things I used from my doctor, naturopath, and acupuncturist recommendations:
   • Wheat Germ Oil – Recommended for women who have miscarried previously. Supposed to help prevent loss. Whether preparing for natural conception or assisted reproduction, wheat germ oil is one of the best supplements to prepare and thicken the uterine lining. Additionally, the vitamin E in wheat germ oil supports sex steroid production, and therefore, is good for both male and female fertility.
   • Beef Liver & Cod Liver – I actually take these as supplements. They are great sources of vitamin A, and D. Helps with strong bones, healthy skin, eyesight, metabolism, hormone production, helpful for proper organ development in baby. Cod Liver reduces risk of diabetes later in life for baby, and studies have shown that babies had a higher cognitive performance.
   • Choline – extremely important for babys brain development. Also high concentrations in pasture raised eggs. Research indicates that increasing choline may increase ovarian function and increase antral follicles, potentially helping women who are trying to conceive.
   • Vitamin D – Vitamin D levels of 30ng/ml in the blood have been associated with higher pregnancy rates in women, as opposed to those with lower levels. Studies have found that women with normal levels of Vitamin D are four times more likely to conceive through IVF than those with low levels.
   • Trace minerals – A lot of times when we’re struggling to feel hydrated yet we are drinking a ton of water – we might actual be mineral deficient. So when you’re drinking water but still experiencing brain fog, mood swings, headaches, fatigue – try adding some drops of trace minerals.
   • Myo Inositol – As a PCOS mama, this specifically helps balance blood sugar and hormone regulation. I take morning and night. Myo-inositol has long been found to be important for supporting fertility, due to the part that it plays in helping hormones and Insulin work effectively. Typically recommended during IVF transfers as well for healthy egg production.
   • Magnesium Glycinate – Helpful for sleep and decreasing stress & anxiety. I take before bed!

Day of IVF Transfer!!

1. Day before – I did my pre-transfer acupuncture appointment which focused on blood flow to my womb.
2. Got a good nights sleep the night before using all my sleep tips and products.
3. I took the day off of work – It was a Thursday and Fridays are typically pretty slow at my job, otherwise I would have taken the day after off as well.
4. Got a walk first thing in the morning in sunlight to help with blood flow.
5. Ate a nutrient dense breakfast – 3 pasture raised eggs scrambled with beef tallow, and mineral salt (both linked above). 1 piece of sprouted ezekiel toast with organic peanut butter, hemp seeds, cinnamon and strawberries. Full fat grass fed A2 greek yogurt with chia seeds, organic blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.
6. I premade a nutrient dense lunch I could have when I got home – some wild caught salmon seasoned with turmeric and beef tallow broiled. Served with a sweet potato with grass fed butter, drizzle of tahini and mineral salt. And some spinach sauteed in beef tallow and bone broth.
7. That morning before we left – I did several fertility meditations with my fertility crystal laying on my womb.
8. We listened to fertility frequency music in the car on the drive there.
9. Once we arrived, again speaking super positively – “I feel good about this. This is going to work.” and just being really excited and happy.
10. Post transfer – I went directly to my post-transfer acupuncture appointment where I did a post-transfer meditation with my fertility crystal on my womb. Meanwhile, Brad went and grabbed french fries for me, since its an old wives tale to eat fries after for good luck!
11. After getting home, the goal is to KEEP YOUR WOMB WARM. Which also means keeping your feet warm – they are tied together. So I wore these cozy socks all day and laid in my warm bed.
12. I ate my pre-made lunch, and then for dinner ordered bone broth and had grass fed beef and warm veggies and quinoa.
13. I continued doing my meditations the rest of the day and even took a nap. Read a fun rom-com book. I remember for our last transfer we started watching Schitts Creek for the weeks leading up to it, instead of our usual murder shows!

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