IVF Implantation - Three Foods That Can Help

Most people who are attempting In Vitro Fertilization have already tried many less thorough methods that have failed them. And while couples should carefully follow the procedures and advice provided by their doctors, many have asked what else they can do, safely and simply, to help their chances. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your success with the all important step of IVF implantation. For instance, certain foods can help a woman's uterine lining grow more receptive to a fertilized egg. Consider snacking on these three super foods to improve your odds for a successful implantation.

Nuts

A fatty acid called prostaglandin is essential for successful implantation, which explains why women are encouraged to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids if they want to get pregnant. Omega-3 contributes to the levels of prostaglandins in the human body but fish, the primary source of this fat, is not the safest food to eat when you're trying to conceive. Larger fish like salmon and tuna tend to have higher concentrations of toxic substances like lead and mercury. Not only do they lower your chances of conceiving successfully, but they linger in the body and can trigger learning disorders and developmental disorders in the baby.

Instead of turning to fish to obtain your daily dose of omega-3 fats, why eat more walnuts? Walnuts contain the omega-3 parent alpha linolenic acid, or ALA. Once it enters the digestive tract, the body converts ALA to omega-3 fatty acids needed for conception. A healthy amount of walnuts will provide omega-3 fats that help to increase your prostaglandin levels.

Pineapple

Believe it or not, this tart tropical fruit can help implantation because of its bromelain content. Bromelain is an enzyme that dissolves proteins which prevent healthy implantation, and a pineapple's core contains the highest concentrations of this enzyme. While scientific studies have yet to examine these claims, many mothers who conceived through IVF believe that eating pineapple improved their chances immensely. For IVF, divide one pineapple into five portions. Eat one portion every day, starting on the day of your embryo transfer. It's important that you start during the embryo transfer itself; otherwise, the pineapple can interfere with the PH levels of your vaginal and cervical mucus, turning them acidic.

Green leafy vegetables

Make dark green leafy vegetables and other folate-rich foods an important part of your diet. Folate or folic acid is a type of B vitamin that aids in the production of new cells and helps them survive. This is essential for embryos, whose cells are rapidly dividing in the womb. A number of studies have also shown that folic acid produce healthier eggs, which are more likely to implant successfully. While you can certainly take a folate supplement for this, you might risk consuming too much of this nutrient, which increases the chances of twin births. Twins are a blessing to have, but carrying them comes with a few health risks your body may not be able to handle. Instead, stick to a salad of dark leafy greens and add folate-rich foods like whole wheat bread and lentils.