Ballet dancer- ivf

[Kleinex1]

Hi, i'm a 35 year old dancer who has just started out with my first ivf experience. Tonight was actually the beginning of my menopur injections, and it was a wee bit of a disaster But after reading everyones, spillage/ air bubble experiences, I think I will survive and improve with the injections as the week progresses! So my main question right now is, how much exercise is advisable during ivf treatment? Im a professional ballerina and despite reducing my work load, am still dancing. However, I obviously dont want anything to jepodise this opportunity, so will stop performing while undergoing treatment if neccessary. When is it best to rest in terms of the whole ivf process?? Should I avoid being lifted and thrown around before egg retrieval aswell as obviously in the two weeks after?

[Smang]

I would maybe speak to your doctor. I don’t have experience with stimms and egg collection because I’ve used donor eggs. However, from what I’ve read and understood you don’t want to do too much during stimms because your ovaries are being stretched and accumulate in size so you don’t want to run the risk of tangling. During the 2ww I was advised by my doctor to stick with brisk to light walks. But I’ve also been told to trust my body and to not just over do it by others.

I contacted the yoga studio I go to and they also suggested I just take it easy and didn’t recommend I come in either.

For myself, I’m going to just take it easy while I’m prepping my lining and cut my work outs in half and during 2ww just stick to walking.

I think you should talk to your doctor and maybe do lighter dancing (not sure if that’s even possible, but I mean to say try it to do anything to intense that may involve jumping or tumbling etc).

Alternatively, I have read about many professional athletes who have had ivf continue with their training as normal. But I think it comes down to what you think is right for your body because the information is conflicted. Best of luck xx

[Kleinex1 in reply to Smang]

Thank you so much, Ive felt a little lost about the whole thing and making sensible decisions. Its great to hear some other opinions and experiences. I`m mainly concerned about my ovaries being over stimulated (during injections), and I understand that twisting and putting pressure on that area is not a good idea! So I will avoid precarious partnering and jumping, but will also obviously consult the fertility clinic.

Big thanks!

[Tugsgirl]

I’m not sure what they would advise medically on the days leading up to EC but whatever they say, I doubt you’ll want to do these things by then. By that stage I was quite bloated and uncomfortable. Speak to your clinic to be on the safe side. Good luck with your cycle xx

[Louhanlon]

Hi xx I asked about exercise . At our clinc they said around the time of EC . After collection you won’t be able to do any moving or heavy lifting after the procedure anyway . Xxx hope that helps

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I agree that your fertility consultant is the best person to advise on this as you are a professional athlete (as it were).

[Anya80]

I love cycling and cycle to work on really permanent basis 22miles a day 5days a week. So when I was about to start my ivf and FET cycle I was really deliberating myself when to stop cycling. My experience was, that I was easily continue cycling till egg collection and stopped from the EC day -with Fresh IVF cycle, it appeared I was pregnant with my son so had to stop cycling for next 9m.

With FET cycle I was cycling till almost transfer day and stoped. I’ve again got pregnant so could not cycle at all but unfortunately lost this baby at 7wks.

If you used to with some sport activities this should not affect the treatment but you have to be comfortable in doing so in mind of side effects of all drugs. Speak to your consultants but I guess you will need to stop some stringent performance acts from egg collection day.

Best of luck

[87Ballerina]

Hi Kleinex1, Ford tof all wow your a professional Ballet dancer. I love ballet and am a teacher full time in school as well as running my own Dance school. I found it very difficult last week to teach, I was on menupur and have over stimulation so struggled. I had EC yesterday and feeling a little tender unsure about going to work tomorrow as hard to take it easy. Listen to your body is my advice, it’s what I have tried to do as usually used to being active all the time too xx

[Hidden]

Definitely check with your clinic. I have a physical job too, and I took a month off - from a few days after I started stimms, so just after my test day. I was worried about twisting ovaries - as they get so large during stimms. My clinic advised I take the time off. After EC you need to rest as it's surgery, and then you obviously need to take it easy after transfer. Like the other ladies here, I can confirm that you probably won't feel up to much to to side effects. Best of luck with your cycle xx