Ivf and exercise

[nbigland]

Im turning 42 in Jan and doing out first round of ivf in Nov. We have had 4 failed iuis. I teach group fitness classes and teach approx 6 hours of high intensity classes per week plus walk my dogs 45min - 1hour everyday. I've heard some feedback that I should be cutting back on my exercise. Anyone have any experience or input to this topic??

[Crocodile80]

Hi nbigland,

We have our drug appointment on 12th October so likely we'll start in November too.

I wanted to ask the same question as I train 5 times a week - I do crossfit and conditioning which involves high intensity and heavy lifting - you'll obviously know this being an instructor

I guess you don't want to completely stop as the body is so used to training, but I really don't know.

I'd be interested to hear from others about this as I've been worried too...I love training, but I'd do anything to increase the chances of us having a baby.

Xxx

[nbigland in reply to Crocodile80]

Hey there thanks for the reply. Yes I'm familar with crossfit. Yeah it's a really hard call to make teaching is my income which we need as paying for our treatment ourselves however want to give my body the best chance possible!! I hear and read conflicting messages yes exercise and no take it easy walking 30mins max. some say avoid exercise that makes you sweat which definatly rules out me teaching. I'm quite confused about the whole thing just want to make the right decision

[sipidania]

I was advised by my clinic during my three cycles of egg collection to not do vigorous exercise. I asked if I could run and they said ideally not. They said walking for 20-30 mins was probably the max they were comfortable with for the period from when I started my Gonal f on day 2 until after egg collection. When you are on the drugs your ovaries are bigger than normal - my clinic didn't explain exactly why but a friend of mine who when through IVF recently was told there was a risk ovaries could twist or rupture - I don't know that the probability of that is high but it made sense to me not to do much vigourous anything during that period.

Good luck!

[nbigland in reply to sipidania]

Hi there thanks for the reply. When you say day 2 til egg collection is day 2 second day of your cycle? How long was the protocol you where on? We have been recommended a 6 week cycle im wondering if I should be taking it easy over this whole time or just when I start in daily injections?

[sipidania in reply to nbigland]

Yes it was Day 2 of period till egg collection which was day 12 usually for me. I did a natural modified IVF cycle which I think might be a 'short protocol' although I'm not 100% sure as that's not what my clinic called it. I was getting frustrated just in that time so I can appreciate not exercising for 6 weeks plus it being your job is v hard. Don't suppose u can switch to yoga or toning classes for that time?!

[nbigland in reply to sipidania]

Yes and I'm guessing if my ivf protocol is 6 weeks we will have to include the two week wait as well so min8 weeks ekkk it's a long time for me as used to exercising every day but won't go give ourselves to best chance possibly. I have reduced the intensity of my training slightly over the last couple of months but no luck so far

[NDE1987]

Heyy! I had my nurse appointment on Thursday and was advisedd just gentle excerise. Hope this helpss! Was told if you train too much you can twist your ovarys

[nbigland in reply to NDE1987]

Hi there thanks for you reply. Was this advised for all of your ivf process or just around egg collection ?

[NDE1987 in reply to nbigland]

My nurse said from the beginning of the treatment soo starting from down regulation x

[DC13]

My advise would be running up to egg collection that you see how your body is feeling. I was incredibly bloated and sore and frankly did not want to do anything else but walk the dog. You need to be really careful as the follicles are developing as the ovaries can become very large and they can start to twist and then you need to be ver careful as this can be dangerous. I asked how things were looking during my scans.

I listened to a talk from a consultant that talked about exercise and they said after egg collection you real should not be doing excessive sports. What was meant by excessive was high impact sports that cause a lot of jarring i.e. running and mountain biking was a big no no. I would maybe put horse riding in the same category.

I am not sure if this helps. Maybe you could take a list of sports with you to your next appointment to ask the clinic.

You will need to reduce down but not stop and your body will also tell you a lot.

[nbigland in reply to DC13]

Thank you so much for your reply. My fertility specalist seems to not have a strong view either way says there is no research saying exercise decreases success rates but suggests not to do exercise that makes me sweet which would def rule out teaching classes. I love my job but don't want to do anything to reduce being successful. Bit stressful

[Jenkins89]

I did body pump Zumba and spinning throughout my first try. I asked and they said it was fine. I had to stop for 2 week wait but I carried on as normal. I'm on my 2 try now and I'm continuing to do them all.

[nbigland in reply to Jenkins89]

I know from being a participant in others classes as an instructor we def go alot harder out when teaching using prob double energy output to when I'm participating. I think it might be my age 42 in Jan that some say to only do light walking. Very confusing just want to make the right decision