Begin with a Fertility Assessment

Preparation typically starts with baseline testing to understand your reproductive health and create an individualized plan. These may include:

• Ovarian reserve testing (blood test for AMH and antral follicle count via transvaginal ultrasound)
• Assessment of the pelvic anatomy (via ultrasound scan)
• General bloodwork to check hormones and overall health
• Semen analysis if applicable

For egg freezing and IVF, the ovarian reserve testing help estimate how many eggs might be retrieved in one cycle and guide medication doses and protocols.

Understand the Timeline

While different protocols exist, the general flow looks like:

Egg Freezing

1. Medical Consultation and testing
2. Nurse Consultation (completion of consents, injection teach, screening tests)
3. Medication usually starts in day 2 of your cycle (short protocol) with approximately 10–14 days of ovarian stimulation.
4. Trigger injection and 36 hours later, egg collection under anaesthesia
5. Eggs are checked for maturity and frozen the same day

IVF

1. Medical Consultation and testing
2. Nurse Consultation (completion of consents, injection teach, screening tests)
3. Medication usually starts in day 2 of your cycle (short protocol) with approximately 10–14 days of ovarian stimulation.
4. Trigger injection and 36 hours later, egg collection under anaesthesia
5. Fertilization in the lab – eggs are checked for maturity and mixed with the sperm (IVF) or injected (ICSI) on the same day.
6. Embryo culture (5–6 days)
7. Either: embryo transfer or embryo freezing for future transfer

Prepare physically

Whilst much of egg quality is related to age and genetics, some lifestyle choices can support better egg quality and maximise outcomes:

Nutrition
• Aim for a balanced diet focused on whole foods: fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.
• Limit alcohol and ultra-processed foods.
• Stay hydrated and maintain regular meals when stimulation medications begin.
• Limit caffeine to 200mg (1 cup of coffee) a day

Supplements
We recommend the following supplements in addition to a healthy diet:
• Prenatal vitamins – to include 400mcg folic acid
• Vitamin D
• Co Enzyme Q10 or ubiquinol
Your consultant may recommend specific doses and additional supplements depending on your individual history and results.

Healthy Habits
• Maintain moderate exercise; avoid high-impact or high-intensity workouts once your ovaries become enlarged during stimulation.
• Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep.
• Avoid smoking and vaping—both are linked to diminished egg and sperm quality.

At Alma we provide a holistic approach to care and work with a number of allied health professionals including nutritionists, acupuncturists and fertility coaches to help support you.

Optimize Other Health Conditions

Your overall health plays an important role in the success of IVF or egg freezing and the risks in pregnancy. Managing chronic conditions before starting treatment can improve egg quality, implantation rates, pregnancy outcomes, and your own safety during the process. If you are on long-term medications we need to ensure these are safe to continue during fertility treatment. We may liaise with your GP or specialists and refer you for pre-conception counselling with the Obstetric Medical team.

• Diabetes: Good glycaemic control is crucial. This should be assessed prior to starting treatment.
• Thyroid: optimum TSH levels are important for miscarriage risks and fetal development
• Autoimmune conditions: Some require treatment coordination to ensure medications are compatible with pregnancy.
• Mental health conditions: Planning ahead for medication management and support can reduce stress during treatment.

Prepare Emotionally

The hormonal changes, uncertainty, and physical demands of IVF or egg freezing can be intense.

It’s normal to feel hopeful, anxious, excited, and exhausted—often all at once. Emotional preparation is just as important as physical preparation. Support groups, therapy, exercise or mindfulness practices can help. We work with BICA registered counsellors with extensive experience supporting people through fertility treatment.

Know What’s Normal During Stimulation

As your ovaries respond to medications, you may experience:
• Bloating
• Tenderness or fullness in the abdomen
• Mood fluctuations
• Fatigue
• Mild headaches

These symptoms usually settle by the time your period comes after treatment. Severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or vomiting require medical attention, as they could indicate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) but we take measures during your cycle to reduce this risk.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for IVF or egg freezing is an important step in maximising outcomes. Ideally these lifestyle and dietary measures should be put in place for at least 3 months prior to treatment for both egg and sperm quality. With the right information, support system, and realistic expectations, we hope you can approach the process feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed.