Exercise during 2ww: Hi everyone, I... - Fertility Network UK

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Exercise during 2ww

Smang profile image
29 Replies

Hi everyone,

I have a question for those who train quite a bit. So I train 5 days a week doing HIIT or gym. The last time after transfer I found it difficult to not train and I’m curious to know if going from training to not training maybe effected my body and the implantation?

My doctor told me only walking, which is what I stuck too. But my acupuncturist said I should continue as normal but to ease up on the weights and to listen to my body.

So I’m curious if for my next round if I do a little a little light exercise or yoga would that be okay? Or should I just stop training the month before transfer so it’s not a sudden stop as what I did last time.

I’m going to talk to my doctor about it but also curious of your thoughts?

Thanks

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Smang
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29 Replies
Kari55 profile image
Kari55

I was never advised anything during my last cycle. I am a Pilates instructor on top of my other full job and I kept doing Pilates during my stimms but stopped after ET. We now would be going private and at initial consultation I was told to stop doing any kind of sport apart from walking during stimms and 2WW. So I will take is very easy when the time comes.

Anna00 profile image
Anna00

If your body is use to train and exercise it’s absolutely fine to continue your routine, if you use weights go a bit lighter like half kilo or 1kilo lighter and also don’t run and don’t swim ,every thing else is fine (this is what my dr said), I used to go to gym 5 times per week and since my egg collection and embryo transfer I couldn’t go as I was in pain and I found it difficult not to exercise and it affected bad on my mood and I felt more depressed so I suggest don’t stop it if you use to it just go a bit lighter xx

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toAnna00

That’s what I was thinking because it really did effect me mentally and just not having the same blood flow (which could psychological) but I felt that it had impact. I was thinking cutting out the weights and not doing the excessive jumping or incorporating more yoga instead.

Anna00 profile image
Anna00 in reply toSmang

Yes defo do it. I know it affect on your mood when you use to it. You can use light weights but defo no running and swimming. Yoga is good,walking on treadmill is good,light weight up to 2 3 kilos is ok. Basically most of exercises are good as long as you don’t put pressure on yourself xx

Kari55 profile image
Kari55

I also use a book “Yoga for fertility” by Petigara and Jensen. Is has routine for each stage of the cycle and also for the IVF.

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toKari55

Brilliant will have a look for that! Thank you xx

Smang profile image
Smang

Thank you, I think most advise as well but found it quite difficult, so was wondering if there was a way balance.

oharal profile image
oharal

Hello, I'm the same and I just eased off the weights during stims and 2ww. Walking and yoga are perfect, but heavy weight or straining body aren't good. If your body is used to exercise its okay but its advised not to start exercise. Make sure you listen to your body xx

Smang profile image
Smang in reply tooharal

Thanks I think I will slowly cut down and incorporate a lighter work out.

Personally I'd ease up a little in the month before. As you say, to suddenly stop completely must not be good. And then ease up a little more after transfer. The worst exercises would be things like deadlifts and anything where you are basically "jerking" your body to move the weight. I also cut back on weighted core exercises. A light jog won't be the end of the world, but perhaps no HIIT or sprinting. The next 8 weeks after your bfp could be difficult to sustain a good workout plan anyway so it will be good, psychologically, to pull back a bit now. Good luck for this cycle xx

Smang profile image
Smang in reply to

Great advice! Thank you was thinking the same thing, because I think going from extreme to the other didn’t help xx

Kempton profile image
Kempton

I would definitely take it easy. Since you train a lot you should be able to take it soon, but I wouldn't in 2ww.

I stopped running and cycling after the transfer, just sticking to very gentle yoga. After 7 week scan I started doing prenatal yoga and after the 12 week scan a slightly more intense routine.

Good luck with it all.

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toKempton

Thanks Kempton, I’m going to see if I can find a prenatal yoga class or maybe an all levels so I can just go a lighter pace xx

Lisatequila profile image
Lisatequila

I was in exactly the same situation. I normally hiit train 5 times a week and I found the whole ec, et and tww very difficult!

I carried on hiit training up until et BUT I got severely reprimanded ☹️ Apparently they don’t want you to do that but no one told me - it’s not included in ‘carry on as normal 🤣’

Because your ovaries will be heavy if you’ve had ec there’s a risk they can twist - mine were about 7cm so that was a real risk For me and I was annoyed i hadn’t been told

So I would chose low impact options if you do hiit, I was also told no spin classes or anything that raises your core temp too much.

It’s hard to just do walking when used to high impact- doesn’t get the endorphins pumping does it?

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toLisatequila

Thanks Lisa, im using donor egg so I think that’s why i was told to only stop during 2ww, so I worked out the day before transfer and then stopped following. And struggled with the sitting around for 2ww, felt like I was turning into a nutcase lol

Lisatequila profile image
Lisatequila in reply toSmang

I know that feeling!

Hi- I trained a lot before my egg collection. As my ovaries got bigger with stimulation, I found it harder to train and i found out about the risk of torsion. However you mentioned you’re using donor eggs so that’s not the issue for you. After transfer, I did a few walks and some yoga- I was told not to train until the pregnancy test. It’s really hard to know what is ok. If I conceived naturally then I would be training without knowing I was pregnant. I think I would always be asking myself “what if” if I kept on training and the transfer did not work. Some gentle yoga and stretches made me feel that I was still looking after my body. I’m back to training next week as we had a BFN. Good luck to you and be kind to yourself xxx

Smang profile image
Smang in reply to

Thanks for sharing your experience and sorry to hear about your bfn, they are so heartbreaking. I think I’m going to take everyone’s advice and slowly cut back on my working out before my 2ww so it’s not such an extreme transition and stick to maybe brisk walks and some yoga. xxx

Choctastic profile image
Choctastic

Hiya. I asked specially about yoga after ET because I had been during it all throughout the cycle. They advised not to continue because of the about of bending and twisting. I wasn't convinced but Google came back with the same, it should be avoided during the implantation stage xx

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toChoctastic

Thanks for the advice. I just followed up with the yoga studio I go to as well and they recommended to rest as well. So looks like yoga is out. I will have to stick with walking I suppose. I think I’m going to cut my work outs in half this month leading up to transfer.

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13

I go from very active to doing nothing at all other than walking when on stims and right through x

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toScarlett13

Thanks Scarlett, I think I’m going to do the same as well xx

My clinic told me there’s a suspected link between ovarian torsion and exercise when your ovaries are swollen from stimulation. So definitely don’t do anything that works that area (eg your core), that’s also why they say no heavy lifting for a couple of weeks after egg collection. Ovarian torsion sounds excruciating so don’t risk it!

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toLizzielizzielizzie

Thanks Lizzie, I’m using donor eggs so I don’t think that would apply for me. However, I’m going to stick to brisk walking during 2ww.

Lizzielizzielizzie profile image
Lizzielizzielizzie in reply toSmang

I agree that wouldn’t apply.

I guess by only walking you can feel that it’s better safe than sorry... I’ll be doing the same if I get an FET x

Wishfully profile image
Wishfully

I am an exercise addict too! It’s hard because I feel like a good blast at the gym really lifts my mood. But I chose to stop exercising entirely during the 2WW. I think stress on the body is the worry & given the huge lead up to transfer... the drugs, the cost, the anticipation, I think it is a hard, but small, sacrifice to make. Otherwise if the cycle fails, I would be beating myself up with “what ifs”. Remember, it’s 2 weeks... just 2 weeks xx

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toWishfully

Definitely, going to follow the no exercise and stick to walking. Seems like the longest 2ww ever though lol

Wishfully profile image
Wishfully in reply toSmang

I know!! It feels so mean, doesn’t it? 😂 I have my fingers crossed for you xx

Smang profile image
Smang in reply toWishfully

Thank you, I need all the luck I can get xx

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