Patient Tips for your A.R.T. Cycle

The following is a list of tips intended to make your ART cycle a little easier to manage…and to get through successfully

1.  Please plan ahead for the extra time commitment that your cycle will require.

1. Please do not plan any vacations or business trips for you or your partner during or immediately after your stimulation and ART procedures.
2. Be on time for your appointments. We like to stay on schedule and help get you on your way as soon as possible.
3. We try to accommodate personal daily schedules, but there will be days that you will need to see the physician or have labs drawn at very specific times that cannot be changed. We will give you as much “lead time” as possible, but there may be some appointments where meeting your schedule are not an option.
4. Plan to be off work and at the Evanston office (both you and your partner), on the day of your egg retrieval and the embryo transfer.

2.  Keep track of your medications.

1. Make sure you have all of your medications before your cycle starts.
2. Ask for refills (they’ll be on file at your pharmacy) in plenty of time to receive them from your pharmacy so that you don’t run out.

3.  Arrange for babysitting for your children on the day of your ART cycle consult, egg retrieval and embryo transfer.

4.  Tell us about your health.

1. Let us know about any allergies or routine medications that you need.
2. Call before you take any new prescribed medication during your cycle.
3. Do not have any non-emergency procedures during your cycle.

5. Limit habits that may harm your cycle’s outcome.

1. Stop Smoking, if at all possible.
2. Keep alcohol and caffeine use to a moderate level.
3. Female patients should stop heavy lifting and running during procedure times.
4. Do not use street drugs or herbal preparations.

6. Treat yourselves kindly.

1. Try to get enough sleep and eat well.
2. Plan some fun activities to help offset the “work” of your cycle.

7. Talk to us.

1. Please be available by phone for any changes or questions during your cycle. Giving us a cell number works well.
2. Let us know your questions and comments so that we can reduce any potential “surprises” along the way.
3. Call us with any changes (health, insurance, etc.) as soon as you know about them.
4. All of us know this is a lot of work for you and are here to support you through this cycle. Let us know if we ban help.