Sport in prep for FET

[hifer]

I have posted about exercise in relation to IVF before and I know it really does vary from person to person. I had to really lay off the exercise during egg collections, mainly because I was very uncomfortable and in the latter stages in quite a bit of pain. However I am preparing for a second transfer this month and just want to hear from people re their experience of sport / exercise during this time. I have a PT twice a week which makes me feel physically and mentally a whole lot better and I do go to the gym in between. Clearly I will tone down the exercise / weight training etc but am very reticent to give it up completely. Standard advice is always do yoga (I don't really enjoy it) and swim (will do it if I really have to!) Given that I'm trying to increase circulation as much as poss isn't it a good thing??

I know it's different post transfer (if I ever get to that point) and am assuming walking is best during this time?

Any help from you wonderful crew would be much appreciated. Thank you.

xx

[Hidden]

Hifer,

As you say, it’s such a personal thing. It comes down to what you feel comfortable with.

Personally, I continued training during stims and up to the point of any FET, but dropped down to long walks after that and in early pregnancy. When I got to 17-20 weeks pregnant and I could feel my son moving, I started aqua aerobics right through until he was born. Pre-pregnancy I did road and spin cycling.

I doubt exercise would have any detrimental impact on a pregnancy so long as you don’t overheat / heart-rate goes too high. However, for us with fertility struggles, there will always be the ‘what if’ if things go wrong.

Having had 2 miscarriages and 1 live birth, I get totally paranoid about exercising. Even though like you it’s great for my mental and physical wellbeing.

No one can answer this for you, but hopefully understanding how others, like me, feel may help you decide. Good luck with your decision and next stage of your journey. X

[hifer in reply to Hidden]

Actually it really does help hearing your experience thank you so much. The trouble, as you say, is the ‘what if’ scenario. I think my mind and body respond better if I’m active and therefore I think treatment ‘should’ be more successful. Then again, who knows! I didn’t have a PT last time I prepared for transfer and it was cancelled anyway so I’m taking a slightly difference approach this time I think. Thanks for taking the time to respond so comprehensively and sharing what worked for you. Xx

[londonrc]

Hey, I hope you are well!? think leading up to your FET you should do all the exercise you want- FET seems much easier on the body than when you are going through egg collection etc. Also as you said it makes you feel good and in a better mental state! I think post FET calm it down and take the advice from your clinic- mine said don’t do anything you might regret if it doesn’t work ‘ I wish I hadn’t done this - or that, so calmer exercise and then you can step it up slowly all going well! Best of luck! Xx

[hifer in reply to londonrc]

Yes good advice re doing anything that you might regret. I really like that. I would regret doing no exercise so actually that really helps me, thank you. Agreed the lead up to FET last time was considerably easier than egg transfer. Fingers crossed it’s the same. Thanks x

[Hidden]

I had my first fresh transfer in early December and was really agonising over the exercise thing too as I’m typically very active and I find it such a good leveller mentally as well as physically. My doctors said I shouldn’t raise my heartbeat above 160bpm or body temp too high and that if I was querying whether something was suitable then I shouldn’t do it. I still went to the gym but just toned down activity to light cycling and low impact stuff. I even did a spin class but just took it super easy. I think the trickiest part is during that 2WW. I definitely toned down activity but continued with light jogging and walking etc. I got a BFP in mid Dec and am now nervously waiting for my 7 week scan next week. Since then I’ve been running and hill climbing but taking it slow. I’ve also just returned from a weeks skiing which wasn’t advised but I think it’s all about managing and understanding the risks on a personal level and if you’re normally active then light exercise is definitely fine. Best of luck xx

[hifer in reply to Hidden]

Many congrats on your BFP. That’s amazing news. Thanks so much for sharing your experience it’s much appreciated. Amazing that you got to go skiing! I miss it so much! Keeping everything crossed for your 7 week scan. Please keep us posted xx

[Lavender96]

Hi Hifer. I think this definitely depends on each person and their circumstances. The general advice is that if you’re already an active person that does a lot of exercise then continuing that at a slighter lower level shouldn’t be a problem.

For me, I’ve always done a lot of exercise for years. I used to do long distance running, then more recently my routine would be a mix of running and weight lifting classes about 4 times a week. However I have been told to stop heavy cardio and weight lifting completely now as I have an issue with a thin uterine lining and they said that this can can exacerbate that.

The way I look at is when you do heavy cardio and weights that makes your muscles ache, then it directs blood flow away from other organs (ie your uterus) to help those muscles recover. This isn’t good for me as I need as much blood flowing towards my uterus as possible. However gentle exercise is good as that gets the blood circulating towards to uterus. So now I wouldn’t do anything to heavy which would result in me aching or getting out of breath, so I mainly go out walking. I hope that makes sense!

Though this was advise I was given based on having a thin lining xx

[hifer in reply to Lavender96]

That’s really helpful thank you. I also have an issue with thin lining so this advice is all very relevant to me too! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond in so much detail xx