In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of assistive reproductive technology (ART). It involves retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm. This fertilized egg is known as an embryo. The embryo can then be frozen for storage or transferred to a woman’s uterus.

Depending on your situation, IVF can use:

• your eggs and your partner’s sperm
• your eggs and donor sperm
• donor eggs and your partner’s sperm
• donor eggs and donor sperm
• donated embryos

Why Is In Vitro Fertilization Performed?

IVF helps people with infertility who want to have a baby. IVF is expensive and invasive, so couples often try other fertility treatments first. These may include taking fertility drugs or having intrauterine insemination. During that procedure, a doctor transfers sperm directly into a woman’s uterus.

Infertility issues for which IVF may be necessary include:

• reduced fertility in women over the age of 40
• blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• reduced ovarian function
• endometriosis
• uterine fibroids
• male infertility, such as low sperm count or abnormalities in sperm shape
• unexplained infertility

What to eat during IVF

Here are easy ways to revamp your nutrition with the Mediterranean diet:

• Fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Choose lean proteins, like fish and poultry.
• Eat whole grains, like quinoa, farro, and whole grain pasta.
• Add in legumes, including beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
• Switch to low-fat dairy products.
• Eat healthy fats, such as avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, and seeds.
• Avoid red meat, sugar, refined grains, and other highly processed foods.
• Cut out salt. Flavor food with herbs and spices instead.