Bed rest after IVF and positive pregnancy test

[KHMSJ]

Hi everyone, i have heard people saying after being pregnant from IVF you have to stay at home(no movements) at least for the first tremister.Kindly share your experience for those who have conceived through IVF if they resume to work immediately or took a rest.

[Jumpppy]

I've never heard that before. I was on planes traveling for work the day after transfer and throughout pregnacy. It's an ever so slightly riskier pregnancy, but otherwise the same as any other pregnancy.

[KHMSJ in reply to Jumpppy]

Thank dear

[Kittykat198]

I wasn’t told anything about bed rest and I had a lot of spotting and extra involvement from clinic and EPU. I went on holiday to Italy when I was 9 weeks pregnant and walked a lot and I have carried on working full time (I have a job where I drive a lot and need to be quite active). I intend to carry on working until 36 weeks.

[KHMSJ in reply to Kittykat198]

@kittykat198, did you go back to work right after transfer?

[Kittykat198 in reply to KHMSJ]

Not straight after because I went out for lunch but then back for the afternoon

I have literally carried on as normal except I don’t drink caffeine now, I refused to climb a ladder to cut back a tree in my garden and I recently decided moving a large bookcase alone was unwise.

[KHMSJ in reply to Kittykat198]

Thank you dear

[Solly-44]

Hi, my clinic advises against bed rest as they want to encourage blood flow to the uterus. This is during the 2WW - I’ve never heard of anyone being put on bed rest for a whole trimester due to IVF. I went back to work the day after transfer when I had my son x

[KHMSJ in reply to Solly-44]

Solly-44 thank you for this i will surely continue with my normal routine

[Hidden]

I understand bed rest can have a negative impact unless medically advised, like Solly says we want a good blood flow to the uterus so moving is good for you. On my transfer day this time round I went shopping and out for lunch straight after transfer, worked the next day (commuting into London) and continued gentle exercise and I am still doing so now and so far so good! x

[KHMSJ in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hidden

[Phoebenooby]

Whoever told you that? Go careful as with any pregnancy but you still have to work cook and care for other children! Try not to worry and enjoy it!

[KHMSJ in reply to Phoebenooby]

Thanks Phoebenooby

[Boo718]

not sure where u heard this but…..nope. I got a positive test flew home to Scotland a few days later and was out and about walking every day. Be careful when picking things up to bend properly and don’t lift to heavy stuff. My doctor said no heels, cut back on caffeine and remember to take your medications … that was it. I’m now 27 weeks xxx

[CrawleyGirl in reply to Boo718]

hi going up stairs is ok?

[Purple276 in reply to CrawleyGirl]

I was swimming and back at the gym after transfer until started feeling sick and couldn't go. But yes I found stairs is totally fine and now 36 weeks and baby all good!

[KHMSJ]

Congratulations @Boo718 and thank you.

[Mudra85]

I've never heard of having to rest for the entire first trimester, that seems very excessive and unexessary. Some clinics advise bed rest for a day or so after having a transfer, but from what I understand it's best to resume normal activity as it's probably better for your general health and wellbeing. I've even seen a couple of Doctors I follow on social media advise against bed rest because they believe it to be detrimental. I think bed rest is recommended more for psychological reasons than because there's any physiological reason for doing so - Doctors don't want us blaming ourselves for it not working because of something we think we have done, like not resting enough. A good rule to follow is anything that is good for general health (e.g. exercise that's safe if you do get pregnant after a transfer) is good for you, including if you do become pregnant.

[ChelWestie]

hi - never heard of that at all. Just be sensible not over exerting yourself and I guess if you feel tired then listen to your body and take your rest but in general they like to keep movement so you have good blood flow. And if you continue as usual it takes your mind off things for the longest 2WW ever

[StarsAllAround]

I've never heard if this! I went on holiday for a week, stayed in a caravan did loads of walking in the 2ww, then went back to work (my job I am on my feet a lot and have a 40minute comute). Only time I stayed at home resting during first trimester was when I caught covid at 6 weeks and that was because I was soo ill I couldn't physically move. My clinic advises against bed rest as movement helps blood flow. If your still unsure ask your clinic if there is anything they recommend for your situation. Good luck 👍

[Eloquentia]

Hi! I've never heard this advice. My clinic and now midwife recommend a healthy amount of movement daily. Nothing too strenuous, of course, but a 30-60 minute walk is supposed to be good for you as the increased blood flow goes to the uterus. There are complications, which might require taking it easy but otherwise, you should be able to continue as normal.

[Ell493]

I left the clinic and walked half a mile. I never rested. Research shows you have better success when you resume normal activities immediately. Activity brings more blood flow to the uterus.

[Katy153]

I honestly tried to relax as much as possible and had lots of good food, I was in so much pain after collection and also got OHSS after transfer. I took around 2 weeks off work after collection but I do work from home so still wasn’t having to travel in etc. At 7 weeks after the viability scan, we went on a cruise holiday with lots of walking but tried to sleep in and relax too 😊

I got covid on the holiday and have been on multiple migraine medications as I got them really bad until around 16 weeks. That worried me so much but the baby is measuring really well at just over 21 weeks now! ❤️

Good luck and take care of yourself 🥰

[McQueeny]

never heard this….. I flew home after my last transfer (got a BFP) and in my previous pregnancy (also IVF) continued as normal, just no extreme / overly exerting activities. Just be sensible, but activity is good for mind and body 💫💪

[HollyT7]

so with my first I was back at work, second I think I took some leave and then got signed off just because I didn’t want to feel the anxiety like the first