According to studies, couples should be aware that their chances of getting pregnant naturally after having an IVF child are relatively high—about one in five. After successful or unsuccessful IVF, different women may have significantly different chances of conceiving naturally. There is a possibility of becoming pregnant naturally following IVF. However, those women may be at a higher risk of certain issues than those who become pregnant naturally. But not every woman who becomes pregnant through IVF will have a high-risk pregnancy.
To start, let’s first understand who needs IVF.
IVF is a very simple technique in which sperm and eggs from the male and female spouses are collected and artificially fertilized in a lab. IVF is chosen by people for a variety of reasons, such as infertility brought on by a medical condition, maternal age of more than 35, blocked fallopian tubes, or low sperm counts. Interestingly, though, some women decide to try spontaneous conception again following an IVF.
After IVF, is Natural Pregnancy Still Possible?
While IVF is a highly successful therapy for infertility, it does not always permanently block spontaneous conception. For some people, becoming pregnant naturally after having IVF is possible.
In a study by University College London researchers, more than 5000 women were included, and 20% of those who sought assisted conception for their first child were able to conceive naturally within three years.
According to a study that was published in the journal Human Reproduction, at least one in five women went on to become pregnant spontaneously after undergoing reproductive therapy like IVF.
Relaxation is the first thing couples need. They need to reduce stress and alter their lifestyle. These days, lifestyle choices and behaviors like smoking and drinking are the most significant risk factors for infertility, second only to advanced age. So if you want to become pregnant, you need to take care of this.
Natural Pregnancy Promoting Factors
When it comes to promoting natural pregnancy, lifestyle decisions are quite important.
These comprise:
- Managing weight
- Planning sexual activity around the ovulation period
- Getting a sufficient quantity of sleep
- Taking part in physical activities
- Limiting exposure to toxins
- Minimizing stress
- Eating a diet rich in fiber, proteins, and antioxidants
- Eating less processed food
- Limiting caffeine consumption
- Giving up smoking
- Limiting alcohol consumption
Here’s what you need to know if you’re naturally pregnant after IVF
Prenatal care
Contact your physician to schedule routine prenatal care. They will keep an eye on the development of the pregnancy, carry out the appropriate tests and screenings, and offer advice on diet, exercise, and general well-being.
Dietary requirements
Make sure you’re eating a well-balanced diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Healthy lifestyle
Maintain a healthy lifestyle by being physically active and getting adequate sleep.
Emotional support
Pregnancy is frequently an emotional experience, and for women who have had IVF, it may be especially one-of-a-kind. Therefore, there is no harm in asking your loved ones for emotional support.
Keep an eye on complications
Keep an eye out for any symptoms or indicators that might point to difficulties, such as vaginal bleeding, excruciating stomach discomfort, or a decrease in foetal activity. You should express any problems you have to your doctor right away.
Prepare for delivery
Attend childbirth education classes to learn about breastfeeding, pain management, and the labor and delivery process. To address any particular worries, think about telling your doctor about your prior IVF experience.
The fact that a high percentage of patients can conceive naturally after IVF is encouraging, but people should be aware that it would be best to seek treatment for a second child as soon as possible if the woman’s age or severe male factor infertility were to have contributed to the initial inability to conceive.