Lifestyle choices to prepare for pregnancy through egg donation

To all intended mothers preparing for IVF with donor eggs, we’d like to congratulate you on taking the next big step in your journey to parenthood! In order to be the best version of you before your embryo transfer, it’s essential that you prepare both your body and mind for the exciting new chapter that awaits. 

At Chosen Egg Bank, we’re here to help you make this transition as smooth as possible! To get you started, we’ve written this blog filled with information about lifestyle changes you can make to encourage the healthiest possible pregnancy for you and your future little one! 

Pre-pregnancy nutrition

A healthy diet makes a huge difference in your journey before and during pregnancy. When preparing to receive donor eggs, it’s important to create a healthy environment to support your growing embryo. A balanced diet that’s rich in essential nutrients is key to helping you and your baby thrive! Here’s a few examples of nutritious foods to consider adding to your diet:

• Leafy greens and whole grains: Spinach, kale, oats and quinoa are rich in folate and B vitamins
• Nuts and seeds: Walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, almonds and pistachios are packed with healthy fats and zinc
• Lean proteins: Chicken breast, turkey, fish, eggs and plant-based options like beans and tofu are excellent sources of amino acids, vitamins and minerals
• Fresh fruits and vegetables: Fruits such as berries, oranges, kiwis and pomegranates and vegetables such as carrots, kale, broccoli and bell peppers are rich in antioxidants to combat free radicals

Plus, taking prenatal vitamins before and during your pregnancy ensures that you’re getting enough folic acid — a great inclusion into your nutrition plan. And of course, don’t forget to stay hydrated too!

Pre-pregnancy exercise

Regular physical activity is not only great for your overall health, but it can actually boost fertility and improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy! If you’ve been inactive, creating a pre-pregnancy workout program is a great way to keep your body strong and have a more comfortable pregnancy. Consider trying out: 

• Yoga and Pilates: Both work wonders for stress, improving your flexibility, and enhancing your blood flow
• Cardio: Taking daily walks, cycling, or even swimming are excellent for keeping your stamina up and regulating hormones
• Strength training: Incorporating some moderate weight training into your routine can help build lean muscle, which supports a healthy metabolism and hormone balance
• Pelvic floor exercises: These can strengthen muscles that support your bladder, uterus and intestines — beneficial for labor and recovery after birth! 

These exercises to prepare for pregnancy can also work wonders for your mental health! When incorporated into your daily routine, movement is known to soothe anxiety and stress, both of which can affect fertility!

Rest & relaxation

When preparing for IVF, managing your stress levels is just as important as taking care of yourself physically — and what better way to start than catching up on Z’s? It’s important to make sure that you’re getting 7-9 hours of sleep and resting as needed throughout the day.

In addition to keeping a proper sleep schedule, practicing breathing exercises can help with managing stress, reducing anxiety, and lowering your cortisol levels. Mindfulness and meditation are also great ways to keep a clear mind and remain relaxed throughout this exciting journey!

Detoxification

If you’ve been exposed to high amounts of harmful chemicals, toxins, or alcohol, it may be time for a detox. Luckily, there’s oftentimes no need to undergo any extreme diets or drastic lifestyle changes! You can incorporate simple tweaks such as: 

• Switching to organic foods: Choosing organic fruits, vegetables and meats helps reduce your exposure to pesticides and hormones 
• Reducing alcohol and caffeine intake: Both of these substances are shown to negatively affect fertility and hormone balance, so it’s best to limit your consumption as much as possible
• Avoiding smoking: Smoking can cause fertility problems for you and your partner. It can also put you and your future baby at risk for dangerous complications. So, it’s best to quit altogether and avoid second hand smoke as much as possible

Reducing toxins in your body can be hugely beneficial for your reproductive system and for the success of your fertility journey!

Establishing your support system

Having a strong support system works wonders for your emotional state, especially when preparing for IVF treatment and the ups and downs of pregnancy. It’s important to have positive energy surrounding you, whether it’s with your partner, friends, family or anyone in between! Open communication with loved ones allows for more positivity throughout the process of entering motherhood. 

Additionally, talking to a therapist, counselor or another mental health specialist can help you process negative emotions in a healthy, productive way. To stay connected with other intended parents, we recommend joining a community. Whether it’s in-person or virtual, this can be an incredible way to receive additional comfort and support throughout your journey!

At Chosen Egg Bank, we’re here to guide you every step of the way as you enter the wonderful world of motherhood! Whether your journey has already begun or if you’re just beginning to consider egg donation, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of dedicated experts. If you’re ready to start, head to our donor database to start looking for your perfect match. We hope to hear from you soon!