When we are going through IVF, we are most likely spending an impossible amount of money.

Full disclosure, I am STILL in debt over my IVF cycle ????

That’s one reason it can be incredibly difficult to wrap your head around the thousand ancillary services that are marketed to women going through fertility treatments.

We can also get lost in the savior complex of medicine, assuming that fertility drugs are like magic and will work on us no matter what.

Unfortunately, many of us know from experience that IVF outcomes can be disappointing even when we use the best doctors and clinics.

I like to approach things from a different perspective.  If there are a few things we can tackle before our IVF cycle that can help potentially increase our odds, isn’t that worth a bit of extra money and time?  Especially if in the long run it saves us money, time, and most importantly heartache?

These are the 3 things that I think make the biggest difference.

First, nutrition.  You knew I was going to say it!  Nutrition plays an important role in the development of quality eggs and it is significantly more complicated than just eating more veggies for many women (and men!) who already have hormonal issues. I specialize in this kind of nutrition, so if you need help, find me here.

Second, acupuncture.  I’ll admit, it was really hard to wrap my mind around paying for regular acupuncture treatments during my IVF experience, but I truly credit that in combination with great doctors, nutrition, and luck with why my second FET was successful.

This week on the podcast, I talked with fertility acupuncturist (and my personal acupuncturist) Mela Maher of @satxacupuncturestudio about the evidence-based reasons to include acupuncture in your fertility treatment plan. (Find it here)

Third, guided meditation. Admittedly, guided meditation was not the easiest thing for me to do in the middle of fertility treatment.  It is so easy to be guarded after all we go through.  Opening myself up to real hope was a battle.  Circle and Bloom Meditations (link to the programs I used) were lifesavers. I did these while having my acupuncture treatments and before bed each night.