Some IVF Patients Don't Follow Doctor's Orders

Choosing to undergo infertility treatments to conceive is a big decision to make. Couples must consider all of the factors involved: risks to the mother and child, costs, and of course, chances of success.

Because in-vitro fertilization (IVF) can cost tens of thousands of dollars, this is a procedure not to be taken lightly.

However, a recent study out of Boston shows that IVF patients don't seem to follow doctor's orders, and it has the infertility community concerned.

Before embarking on an IVF cycle, infertility specialists recommend that women cut back or eliminate the following habits: smoking, drinking alcohol, caffeine, stress, exercise and herbal medications. These guidelines are in place to ensure the comfort and safety of the patient and her potential child, but the patients in this study didn't take this advice too seriously.

The researchers found that patients continued to drink alcohol and caffeine, take herbal remedies, and exercise, despite the risk that their chances for success could be lowered because of these behaviors.

Alice Domar, lead study author and executive director of the Domar Center for Mind and Body Health of Boston IVF in Waltham, Massachusetts told Reuters Health, “We said let’s look at what women are actually doing. Are they doing what we’ve been recommending? The answer is, no they are not.”

To learn more, read the full article: Follow Doctor's Orders for a Better Chance at IVF Success