Preparing for IVF treatment should ideally begin as soon as you have made the decision to undergo the procedure. There is much which can be done to improve the success rates by making simple dietary and lifestyle modifications and the optimum time to begin this is around 6 months beforehand. However, it is recognised that couples only begin to realize the importance of making changes much closer to the time of their first cycle.

Taking steps to improve your diet and lifestyle can be beneficial at any time and it is never too late to stop harmful practices and change what you eat for the better. In terms of diet, there is much advice you could follow but rather than adhering to strict daily meal plans, following the broad principles is simpler and very effective.

Pesticides and toxins have been shown to be harmful to the reproductive process. They can harm sperm and egg production and the developing embryo itself. When preparing for IVF treatment, you should therefore aim to eat foods which have not been exposed to toxins, hormones or pesticides and one of the best ways to ensure this is to eat organic produce.

Your diet should consist of wholesome, fresh foods which do not contain additives. In general, eating what you probably know to be the basis of a healthy diet is the way forward. This means eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, lean meats and dairy foods.

Caffeine can be a big detractor as far as fertility is concerned and this must be taken into account when preparing for IVF treatment. Both sperm and eggs can be adversely affected, with even 1-3 cups daily showing a marked decrease in conception rates. It is therefore recommended that you avoid drinks which contain caffeine. Don't just give up your coffee though as tea and cola can both be culprits!

Being both overweight and underweight can inhibit conception. Of course, these are situations which can take some time to alter and long term preparation is ideal for improving IVF treatment. However, if you have a window of around a month and are overweight, you could consider trying a detox which may help to rebalance the system somewhat and is better than taking no steps at all.

Another often-forgotten step you can take to help in preparing for IVF treatment is to ensure that your fluid intake is adequate. All our bodily functions, not just IVF, rely on adequate hydration. In terms of fertility, it is important that there is adequate fluid around the follicle, in the fallopian tubes and in the endometrium. It is also vital that the seminal fluid containing the sperm is well supplied.

Other ways of preparing for IVF treatment include trying alternative therapies, with acupuncture having particularly promising results, taking moderate exercise and finding time to relax.