IVF Support

Nutritional support in the lead up to and during your IVF cycle can significantly improve outcomes and the health of the pregnancy.

Preparation for IVF ideally starts 3 months in advance, but nutritional support can be tailored to any stage of your cycle to help to improve your chances of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. Nutrition can help with all stages of IVF including donor cycles and implantation issues.

Key Facts
  • There is significant evidence that a healthy fertility diet can improve your egg and sperm quality and improve IVF outcomes
  • Improving nutritional status for 3 months ahead of your IVF cycle can improve your egg, sperm and embryo quality
  • Hormonal and nutritional support can help to improve the lining and preparation for implantation. The vaginal & uterine microbiome is also an essential component to consider
  • The immune environment for implantation is critical. Using specific supplements to address inflammation and infection can improve IVF outcomes and reduce risk of miscarriage
  • Comprehensive functional medicine testing may be useful to identify the root cause of recurrent IVF failures and miscarriage

Best Test Options

 
  • Patient
    I have some news for you! We went ahead with the embryo transfer. Nerve wracking 2 week wait and then we got the results this week - it worked! Finally! Needless to say, you can imagine our relief, disbelief and pure happiness. It has been such a long journey of failed IVFs so thank you so much for all your help getting us to this point. It really feels like a team effort.
    Patient
    Dublin
  • Patient
    Well, we finally got there in the end! We welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world recently.  As you know, it was a long road for us and we are so grateful for your care, expertise, kindness and support. I hope many others continue to benefit from your wealth of knowledge - thank you!
    Patient
    Dublin
  • Patient
    My husband and I had blood and urine tests, which informed a tailored diet and supplement regime. Our Nutritionist carefully monitored my progress and also encouraged me every step of the way.  Having undergone extensive fertility testing, it turned out I had immune and thyroid issues. My nutrition programme helped me to bring my markers right back down into the safe range.  I then had my first ever frozen embryo transfer done and it stuck first time! My clinic had advised me this was because of all of the preparatory work done before the transfer. We are so grateful to the team at Positive Nutrition and would highly recommend them. We are so glad we invested in their expertise.
    Patient
    Dublin

Patient Story

History

Clodagh and Graham attended our clinic to optimise their diet and supplement protocol ahead of their fourth IVF cycle.  Two cycles had been cancelled due to poor response and an inadequate lining.  On their third cycle, despite a better response, poor egg quality was noted and the embryos did not survive until transfer.

Tests

Graham had elevated DNA fragmentation at 45% and a low sperm count.  A Functional Nutritional Profile blood test showed a critical deficiency in Vitamin C and low levels of additional antioxidants essential for sperm health. 

Clodagh had an underactive thyroid which was being treated by medication, but additional nutrient testing identified a deficiency in iodine which is essential for thyroid health.  She also had IBS symptoms which may have been limiting absorption of certain nutrients. A SIBO test was positive for methane production.

Plan

A tailored supplement protocol was designed. Over the following three months, this couple made great progress with their diet and improved intake of healthy omega-3 fats and antioxidants.

Repeat test

Repeat testing showed that Graham’s vitamin C deficiency had been rectified, with significantly improved levels of antioxidants.  His DNA fragmentation levels had reduced to 20% and sperm count had improved from 2 million to 5 million per ml.

Outcome

Their next IVF cycle was successful and they had a beautiful baby girl 9 months later. The couple returned for further support to conceive their second child through IVF also, which again was successful.

“We would not have had our two children without the help of our Nutritionist. We worked with her on two of our four rounds of IVF - and they were the only two we were successful with.   We couldn't be more grateful for all your help.”

Our expertise in this area includes:
Contributed to a medical textbook on IVF. Read here.
Published paper in peer reviewed science journals. Read here
Presented at medical conferences. Read here
Completed further training in specialist testing
Work with IVF clinics and consultants