IVF support
Preparation that meets you where you are
The lead-up to your cycle matters
Going through IVF is physically and emotionally demanding, and for many people it comes with the feeling that they want to do everything they possibly can to give themselves the best chance. The nutritional and physiological preparation that happens in the months before a cycle, and the support that continues through stimulation, retrieval and transfer, can all play a meaningful role in how the process unfolds. This page is for people who want to approach their IVF journey with as much information and preparation as possible.
Who we work with
You might recognise yourself here...
You have an IVF cycle coming up and want to prepare your body
The months before an IVF cycle are a meaningful window for considered preparation. Sperm and egg development each take approximately three months, which means the lead-up is when nutritional and lifestyle factors are most relevant. Our Naturopaths work alongside your fertility team, focusing on areas such as nutrient status, antioxidant balance and overall wellbeing in the preparation period.
You have had a previous IVF cycle and want to try differently
A cycle that did not go as hoped can be deeply disheartening. There are often factors worth reviewing in the time between cycles, including nutritional status, inflammatory load and overall preconception preparation. We work with people in the months between cycles, alongside their fertility specialist, to consider where additional support may be of value.
Your partner is preparing for sperm support before the retrieval date
Sperm health contributes around half of the picture in IVF, and the lead-up to retrieval is a meaningful window for the male partner. Because sperm production takes approximately three months, beginning targeted support well before the planned retrieval is generally recommended. We welcome both partners into the preparation conversation, working alongside your fertility team.
You are preparing for embryo transfer and want to support yourself
The transfer phase is a sensitive window, and many people want to feel they are doing what they can. Naturopathic care during this time focuses on areas like nervous system support, nutritional foundations and overall wellbeing. Some pre-cycle supplements may need to be paused during this phase, which is why coordination with your fertility team matters.
You want to support your body through the demands of a stimulated cycle
A stimulated IVF cycle is physically and emotionally demanding. Many people want to feel they are looking after themselves through the process. Naturopathic care during this time focuses on the body's broader wellbeing - nutrition, nervous system support and the physical demands of the cycle - rather than the medical aspects, which sit with your fertility team.
You take a prenatal vitamin and are not sure what else, if anything, to do
A prenatal is a useful starting point, but it is rarely the whole picture. The right supplements depend on your individual nutrient status, your cycle, your health history and your goals. We do not guess with supplements. Testing first allows us to recommend what your body may benefit from, rather than what is generally suggested.
The kind of preparation that is most useful is one that is specific to your situation, your timeline and your individual health picture. A consultation with our Naturopaths can help you work out what is most relevant for where you are right now, what is appropriate alongside your medications, and when to begin each phase of preparation. If you are earlier in your fertility journey and not yet at the IVF stage, our Foundations page is a good place to begin. Our Naturopaths are based in Liverpool, Sydney and offer consultations online across Australia.
What preparation looks like
IVF is a medical process that involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving eggs, fertilising them in a laboratory and transferring one or more resulting embryos. Each of these steps is managed by your fertility specialist and clinical team, and decisions about your medical treatment sit entirely within their care.
What the medical process does not always address is the nutritional and physiological preparation that happens in the months before a planned cycle. Eggs spend their final three to four months maturing before retrieval, and sperm production takes approximately 74 days, which means the lead-up window is when nutritional and lifestyle factors are most relevant. This is where naturopathic care has a role, not in influencing the medical aspects of your cycle, but in supporting your overall wellbeing and considered preparation in the months leading in. Many people work with a Naturopath alongside their fertility clinic, particularly when they want to feel they are actively contributing to the parts of the process that are within their control.
What naturopathic support looks like
IVF support is not a single supplement taken the week before a retrieval. It involves a considered, timed approach across the full arc of the cycle: the preparation phase, the stimulation and retrieval phase, and the transfer and early implantation phase. The products in this collection are naturopath-selected to address the most clinically relevant areas at each stage, for both female and male partners where applicable. A consultation is recommended to tailor the approach to your specific protocol and history.
- Nutritional support relevant to mitochondrial health and antioxidant balance, areas commonly considered in the months before a planned cycle
- Nutritional support for male reproductive health during the lead-up window
- Stress and nervous system support throughout the cycle, recognising the physical and emotional demands of an IVF journey
- Nutritional foundations relevant to preconception, including folate, vitamin D, omega-3 and iron
- Coordination with your fertility team, ensuring your supplements and care work transparently alongside your medical treatment
To help you feel clearer about your next steps
Common questions about IVF preparation
When should I start taking supplements before an IVF cycle?
The months before an IVF cycle are when nutritional and lifestyle factors are most relevant to your overall preparation. Because eggs and sperm both take approximately 90 days to mature, beginning naturopathic support around 90 days before the planned retrieval date is generally suggested. Starting a consultation early gives enough time to consider the most relevant areas for your individual circumstances, alongside your fertility team's medical care.
Can I take supplements alongside IVF medications?
Some supplements are appropriate to take alongside standard IVF medications, while others may need to be paused or adjusted at certain phases of the cycle. It is essential that both your fertility specialist and your Naturopath are fully informed about everything you are taking. A consultation with a Naturopath experienced in fertility support can help you coordinate this carefully with your clinic.
Do both partners need to prepare for conception?
Yes. Sperm health is one of the factors involved in conception, and the lead-up to a planned cycle is a meaningful window for both partners. Sperm take approximately 74 days to mature, so changes made today will not be reflected for around three months. Bringing both partners into the preparation conversation gives a more complete picture of where support may be most useful.
What is the role of naturopathic care during an IVF journey?
The role of naturopathic care alongside IVF is to support the person going through the process, rather than to influence the medical outcomes themselves. This includes nutritional foundations, nervous system support during a physically and emotionally demanding cycle, and considered preparation in the months leading up to a planned retrieval. Decisions about your medical treatment, your protocol and your clinical care sit entirely with your fertility specialist.
Should my partner take supplements for sperm quality before IVF?
Sperm health contributes around half of the picture in any conception attempt, including IVF and IUI, and the male partner's preparation in the lead-up is often under-appreciated. Because sperm production takes approximately 74 days, beginning targeted nutritional support at least three months before the planned retrieval date is generally suggested. We welcome both partners into the preparation conversation, working alongside your fertility team.
What happens if my IVF cycle is cancelled due to poor response?
A cycle that does not go as planned is difficult, both physically and emotionally. The time between cycles can be a meaningful window for considered preparation, focusing on nutritional foundations, lifestyle factors and overall wellbeing. We work alongside your fertility specialist during this period, rather than offering opinions on the medical reasons for what occurred. Coordination with your clinic is important when planning support around future cycles.
Is there anything I should avoid during an IVF cycle?
General lifestyle considerations during a fertility cycle commonly include reducing alcohol, limiting caffeine, avoiding smoking and being mindful of environmental toxin exposure. These are not specific to IVF and apply broadly to preconception care. Some supplements that are appropriate during the preparation phase may need to be paused or adjusted during stimulation or after transfer, which is something to coordinate with your Naturopath and your fertility team.
Can I work with a naturopath without telling my fertility clinic?
We strongly recommend that your fertility specialist is aware of any naturopathic care, supplements or herbal medicine you are taking, particularly during an active IVF cycle. Some supplements can interact with IVF medications or affect hormone levels in ways that are relevant to your treatment. Open communication between your Naturopath and your clinic is essential, and we are happy to coordinate directly with your medical team where appropriate.
Can I buy these products without a consultation?
Yes. The products featured on this page are available to purchase directly through our online shop, and you do not need to have had a consultation with us to order them. That said, IVF preparation and the supplements appropriate alongside a cycle vary significantly from person to person, and some products may need to be paused or adjusted during specific phases of treatment. We strongly recommend a discovery call or initial consultation before beginning a supplement plan during an active IVF journey.
