Preparing for IVF: 10 Things I Bought For My Egg Retrieval

Originally published 12/09/2020. Updated for accuracy and relevancy on 10/04/2023.

In her fertility journey, Natalist Founder Halle Tecco has become an unwilling expert in IVF. She's the proud mom of one IVF miracle and uses this vast experience to help others on their journey to motherhood. 

By Halle Tecco, MBA, MPH

If you’re starting the IVF journey, you may be feeling scared, anxious, hopeful, excited. And that’s normal! This is a huge undertaking—physically, emotionally, and financially. If you’re like me, you are preparing meticulously. There are calendars, journals, maybe even Google spreadsheets (guilty).

In my fertility journey, I’ve become an unwilling expert in IVF. I am the proud mom of one IVF miracle and use this experience to help others on their journey to motherhood. 

Two of the questions I often hear are how I prepared and what I purchased for IVF. So, I put together this list of my must-haves. 

Supplements for Egg and Sperm Health

In addition to my daily prenatal, I bought a number of supplements (for me and my husband!) as advised by my doctor. 

 1. CoQ10

Several studies have shown the benefits of taking CoQ10 supplementation during fertility treatments. In a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 46 trials with 6,312 women, ten adjuvant treatments for poor ovarian response in IVF were evaluated. [1] Compared with controls, CoQ10 treatments resulted in a “significantly higher chance” of clinical pregnancy. Additionally, CoQ10 supplementation led to the lowest cancelation rates for IVF cycles. The authors conclude that, for women with poor ovarian response, controlled ovarian stimulation protocols including CoQ10 showed better clinical outcomes. Try CoQ10 Gummies or the TTC Gummy Bundle to save! 

2. Inositol Plus

Successful ovulation is the first step to getting pregnant. Inositol Plus was developed to help support ovarian health and egg health while promoting healthy hormone levels. Following clinical evidence, Natalist's Inositol Plus dietary supplement is formulated to match your body's natural 40:1 ratio of Myo-Inositol (MI) and D-Chiro Inositol (DCI) with 2,000 mg Myo-Inositol and 50 mg D Chiro-Inositol per serving.‡

3. Male Prenatal Daily Packets 

Sperm is half the equation, so it’s important that men optimize their health during IVF as well. Antioxidants have been shown to improve live birth rate for couples undergoing fertility treatment. A 2019 Cochrane systematic review concluded that antioxidant supplementation in subfertile men improves live birth, clinical pregnancy rate, and sperm DNA fragmentation. [2] Get Prenatal Male Vitamins. 

Self-Care Items for IVF Appointments

If you don’t yet know Wanda (what we affectionately call the ultrasound wand), you will. You will also get to know the nurse coordinator, the front desk team, and your REI. For me, I get super bloated throughout IVF stims and need comfortable clothes with no harsh waistbands. 

4. Fuzzy Socks 

These are a must! You will spend lots of time in stirrups. I got a bulk pair from Costco that have carried me through the years. Check out the Cozy Warrior Socks—they are a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, and proceeds from the socks go to gifting socks to women who are struggling to conceive.

5. IVF Gear

I love the t-shirts and hats from Marilyn Gomez’s shop, Infertile Tees. Marilyn is also an IVF mama! 

The Right Products for IVF Shots

IVF shots are no joke. I used to be afraid of shots (ha!) until I realized there’s a way to make them easier. First off, I never do my own shots. My husband is my shot-giver, and he’s gotten really good at becoming my nurse. Second, we make it a ritual. We do the shots at night, after I’ve taken a hot bath and gotten in my jammies. I use an ice pack to numb the area, and it’s over in a cinch! I always have a piece of chocolate as a treat, and we save a good show to watch right after (my son was created from a round where we watched Schitt’s Creek every night).

6. Ice Pack 

To me, this is a must. Numbing makes the shots barely noticeable. At first, I used the Buzzy Bee, which I first saw on Shark Tank. It’s an ice pack with vibration. But, you can also use an ice pack like this from Amazon. 

7. Self-Care Distraction 

For me, this is gardening, reading, baking, and coloring books (there's even an IVF coloring book). Find something that brings you calmness and peace. Natalist Magnesium Plus drink mix is also a great and tasty way to promote relaxation!

8. Pregnancy Tests….In Bulk! 

Some clinics ask that you wait for a pregnancy blood test (β-hCG, or “beta”) to test for pregnancy instead of taking an at-home pregnancy test. I personally have never been able to wait the two weeks and have taken home pregnancy tests sooner, starting five or six days after the transfer. We recommend buying pregnancy tests in bulk so you always have them on hand. 

Buy Natalist Pregnancy Tests Bulk - as low as $3.20 per test!

Products for IVF Post-Retrieval Recovery 

9. Fiber 

I have never had worse constipation than after an egg retrieval. I feel like no one warned me about this part of IVF! During fertility treatments like IVF, you’re given hormones as well as sedatives. Many believe that progesterone can cause constipation by altering the regulation of g-proteins. It’s also hypothesized that sedatives can have certain effects on the body, including constipation. Luckily, fiber may be able to help. 

Learn more about constipation during fertility treatments.

10. Heating Pad 

I got my heating pad as a gift from a friend, and it has been a life saver! Towards the end of stims, and definitely after the retrieval, you may feel bloating and cramps. Resting under a heating pad helps me relax and feel better. 

IVF can be an amazing way to grow a family. I know—I would not be a mother today without IVF. But it also comes with emotional ups and downs. If you want to learn more about fertility treatments, keep reading the Natalist blog. We're rooting for you! 

Want to read more about IVF? Up next:

• The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for IVF
• The IVF Funnel: Understanding Your Chances of Success
• When is The Earliest You Can Take a Pregnancy Test During IVF?

References:

1. Zhang Y, Zhang C, Shu J, et al. Adjuvant treatment strategies in ovarian stimulation for poor responders undergoing IVF: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2020;26(2):247-263. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmz046

2. de Ligny W, Smits RM, Mackenzie-Proctor R, Jordan V, Fleischer K, de Bruin JP, Showell MG. Antioxidants for male subfertility. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD007411. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007411.pub5. Accessed 19 October 2023.