She Was IVF Bound – Until We Found This!

Client Case Study: From “IVF Prep” to Pregnant Naturally—All Because of One Overlooked Factor. Let’s look at how we improved her fertility before IVF!

When Client S first came to me, she had her IVF cycle booked 4.5 months out. Her goal? Optimize everything she could beforehand. In a perfect world, she said, maybe she wouldn’t even need IVF.

Together, we ran a comprehensive preconception panel—blood work (Vit D, zinc, B12 among other labs), a systems review, and something I recommend more and more often for women preparing for IVF: a vaginal microbiome test.

What we found surprised her (and honestly, it surprises a lot of my clients):

She had bacterial vaginosis (BV)—despite having zero symptoms.

Why Does BV Matter So Much for Fertility?

BV is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria that crowds out the beneficial strains (like Lactobacillus crispatus).

Here’s why that’s a big deal if you’re trying to conceive:

It can increase inflammation in the uterus and vagina.
It may impair sperm motility and survival.
It has been linked to failed implantation and higher miscarriage risk.
It may reduce the success rate of IVF and embryo transfer.

And here’s the kicker: most women with BV have no symptoms.

What We Did Next to Improve Fertility Before IVF

We didn’t just “treat the infection.” We took a systems-based approach that addressed the root causes and supported her body’s ability to heal. Here’s how:

1. Targeted Treatment

Medical therapy: We coordinated with her OB to complete a short course of antibiotics.

Probiotics: We introduced Lactobacillus crispatus and reuteri via vaginal and oral routes to help repopulate healthy vaginal flora.

2. Gut Repair

We supported her gut microbiome (which influences vaginal health) using:

Polyphenol-rich foods (berries, green tea, turmeric)

Digestive enzymes and fiber

She reduced sugar, alcohol, and dairy (temporarily at first but found she felt better by keeping it out)—things that can feed unwanted bacteria.

3. Addressed Inflammation + Nutrient Gaps

Her labs showed elevated inflammatory markers and deficiencies in:

Vitamin D

Vitamin B12

Zinc

These nutrients are vital for immune regulation, egg development, and endometrial receptivity. We:

Started daily supplementation (with methylated B12, a higher dose of vitamin D, and got her on a excellent prenatal that had adequate zinc already in it.

Added anti-inflammatory foods (wild salmon, leafy greens, flax, chia seeds) and foods high in B12 (nutritional yeast), Zinc (pumpkin seeds) and Vit D (mushrooms).

* We were already supporting her gut health to improve nutrient absorption

The Outcome:

We continued this plan while supporting stress, sleep, and gentle detox pathways. We had the surprise of a lifetime, just before she was set to begin ovarian stimulation—Client S got a big surprise – She conceived naturally!

This wasn’t luck—it was strategy. Here’s what you can take away:

1. Consider Testing for BV and Vaginal Dysbiosis

Especially if you’ve had failed IVF cycles, chemical pregnancies, or early losses.

Ask your provider about vaginal microbiome tests (e.g. Juno, Evvy, Fertilisis)

2. Look Beyond the Basics

Don’t stop at bloodwork. Add gut health, vaginal health, and inflammation markers to your fertility workup. These don’t have to be expensive tests; Sometimes a great screening questionnaire can help point you in the right direction!