Stop Putting All Your Eggs in the One (IVF) Basket!
- Sophie Skardon
- May 1
- 6 min read
Updated: May 1
Have you been referred for IVF without fully understanding why you are unable to conceive?
I understand; time is of the essence, and you don’t want to miss the window of opportunity, but what if there were a way you could improve your chances of conception before heading down the Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) route?
I’ve been working with couples to support their fertility health for the last seven years, meeting them at various stages of their journey. The majority come to me after having already gone through fertility treatment, sometimes multiple rounds, without success.
Almost every couple I see at this point has had clinical tests that merely scratch the surface. They've been given no reason as to why they are struggling to conceive and are often feeling very lost as to where to turn next.
What are the success rates of IVF?
Infertility affects around 1 in 7 couples in the UK. A significant number of these couples will either be referred for, or will choose to undergo Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART). Thanks to advances in fertility treatment, success rates for IVF and ICSI are higher than ever before. However, the national average remains around 31%, with the highest pregnancy rates at 41%, seen in women aged 18 to 34. Source: HFEA
How much does IVF Cost?
Eligibility for NHS-funded fertility treatment is strict, and varies depending on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), but age and body weight are often primary factors. The cost of private treatment also varies, typically starting at around £2,500 per cycle at the lower end of the scale, however, this doesn’t cover all your treatment. Additional medical investigations, medications, and consultations all need to be added, and depending on your clinic of choice, the total can end up being closer to £10,000. This is the kind of figure I often hear from clients in my clinic, and a primary reason as to why they are looking for alternative support.
My IVF Story
My own experience with IVF was relatively straightforward. I was fortunate to have some inside knowledge, having qualified as a Nutritional Therapist two years prior, and was well-versed in research and preparation before undergoing any kind of medical procedure. My partner at the time had been previously diagnosed with suboptimal fertility and was upfront about the likelihood of needing medical assistance to conceive.
We’d been in a relationship for six years, not actively trying to conceive but also not using contraception. It became clear that natural conception wasn’t happening, and we reached a point where we were ready to take it seriously.
I wasn’t willing to begin fertility treatment without a dedicated preconception period for both of us. I had already been preparing my body for some time, and my partner agreed to a three-month detox. This included eliminating alcohol, adopting a supplement routine, and making major dietary changes.
The results were remarkable. By the time of our egg collection, his sperm count had significantly improved, along with motility and morphology. So much so that ICSI was no longer required. Out of the eight eggs collected, four fertilised, and one developed into a viable blastocyst suitable for freezing.
And guess what? We were successful! At my seven-week scan, a strong heartbeat was already visible and we went on to have a healthy little baby boy. I know how fortunate we were, and after working with many couples, I truly appreciate just how rare this outcome is.
"It was my own experience that lead to me where I am today and my passion for helping others on this journey"
The Most Common Scenario
My experience with fertility treatment is rarely a shared one, and this is partially because very few people know what goes into prepping their body for IVF; and why would they? Preconception advice is seldom given, and when it is, it’s generally lacking in depth.
By the time couples have come to me, they’ve often been through the wringer. They’ve spent 12–24 months trying to conceive, sometimes enduring multiple failed rounds of IVF. They’ve had minimal fertility investigations, are exhausted from endless hospital visits, and are emotionally drained by the heartbreak and financial strain. Does this sound familiar?
It shouldn’t have to be this way!
IVF can be a powerful tool, but it shouldn’t be the first step. If only every couple referred for fertility treatment were offered proper preconception care, comprehensive testing, and evidence-based guidance to optimise their health beforehand. Imagine how much time, energy and disappointment this could save!
The basic concept of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is to bypass some of the hurdles to natural conception. This can be incredibly helpful for multiple reasons, but there are a many things IVF and ICSI can’t do. Before embarking on your first or next round of treatment, consider the following factors in order to maximise your chances to success.
These are the things I wish all couples knew before starting IVF
IVF and ICSI treatment can control your cycle, collect multiple oocytes (eggs), and make life a whole lot easier for sperm to get to those eggs, but it can’t do the following:
Improve Egg Quality - Egg quality is influenced by a number of factors; including age, hormones, lifestyle, stress, inflammation, and nutritional status. Some gynaecological conditions can also impact egg quality; PCOS and Endometriosis, for instance. It take 100 days for an egg to fully mature, this is a critical time for chromosomal development. Supporting your health during this time has been shown to positively impact egg quality.
Sperm Quality - IVF can't improve this and so optimising sperm parameters before treatment is essential. Spermatogenesis (sperm production) takes from 72-76 days, implementing positive nutrition and lifestyle changes during this time can enhance the quality of the genetic material within sperm cells and improve your chances of fertilisation and a successful pregnancy.
Genetics - Genetic mutations or chromosomal abnormalities can affect fertility outcomes and miscarriage risk. These aren't commonly explored in standard IVF workups. In some cases this needs to be investigated.
The Reproductive Microbiome - A healthy vaginal, seminal and gut microbiome supports implantation and early pregnancy. Imbalances can contribute to inflammation or infection, which may impact sperm and egg quality and also increase the risk of miscarriage. IVF doesn’t help to address this.
Nutrient Levels – Fertility clinics very rarely test nutrient levels. Folate, Vitamin D, Iron, and B12 are vital for egg and sperm health, ovulation, hormone balance, and embryo development. A simple blood test can identify nutrient deficiencies and give you an opportunity to fix this prior to pregnancy.
Miscarriage Risk – Fertility treatment can provide hormonal support to prevent this, but miscarriage is often multifactorial. Some of the things I have already mentioned, i.e, microbiome health, genetics, and sperm and egg quality, also need to be addressed to reduce the risk of miscarriage.
Thyroid Health - Thyroid hormone imbalance and the presence of Thyroid Antibodies has been shown to affect pregnancy outcomes. A full thyroid panel should be included in a comprehensive blood test to rule this out.
So what's the solution?
Get started on this journey well before IVF is even suggested.
OK, so you might not get access to all the tests you want on the NHS unless you’ve been trying to conceive (TTC) for over 12 months, but you can still take matters into your own hands. If you’re not conceiving after 6 months of trying, I’d suggest working with a fertility adviser or fertility nutritionist who can help identify what might be getting in the way.
Assessing your nutrient intake, addressing lifestyle and stress factors, and gaining insight into your cycle and ovulation patterns are all great starting points. Private testing is also an option. While sometimes costly, it can highlight areas that need support and, in some cases, lead to a fertility strategy that doesn’t involve medical treatment.
Remember IVF can’t fix egg or sperm quality. That’s why it’s so important to optimise your health beforehand to improve your chances of success. Reproductive health doesn’t exist in isolation; it's intricately linked to every system in your body.
Focusing on your overall health in the four months prior to conception has been shown to positively influence egg and sperm quality, improve pregnancy outcomes, and even benefit your child’s health throughout their lifetime. Source: Fertility and Sterility, 2022 .
4 month is also the ideal window for addressing hormonal imbalances and supporting a healthy reproductive microbiome.
You may still need medical intervention, but here’s the thing: whether you’re eligible for NHS treatment or paying privately, you’ll want to do everything you can to give yourself the best chance the first time around.
If you’d like to find out more about how I can help you investigate your fertility and prime your body for a healthy pregnancy, please get in touch.
I wish I’d been given this advice prior to starting ivf it seems crazy it’s not more widely available. I guess more rounds of ivf is a lucrative business for private clinics! Thanks for sharing your wisdom, great article.