IVF and exercise

[LucyGoose24]

I was just wondering if anyone had been given specific advice on exercise while having IVF. I feel like my doctor is a bit vague every time I ask . I’m 33 and usually exercise 3-5 times a week, either HIT or weight training and have done so for years ( a CrossFit style gym). I stopped for the egg retrieval and 1 month before my failed FET. And swapped to walking and yoga. I’m finding it hard in this dark and weather to get in as much as I would like and missing the gym/the social side. I did my own research and it mainly seemed to say not to go too hard on exercise whilst you’re going through IVF but I’m thinking if this goes on for a long time then I would rather get back to it if it’s safe to do so. My next FET is likely to be end of feb /March time. I was wondering what others have been told/ do exercise wise?

Thanks in advance.

[Hidden]

I was told if you are already used to exercising then moderate exercise is ok. Best of luck 🤞

[LucyGoose24 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much for your reply - that’s good to hear. I don’t know if hour HIT classes would be considered more than moderate exercise. As it’s hard to take it easy in them/ they’re killer even when you’re on top form fitness wise. What I read (and this is internet reading so I guess always to be taken with pinch of salt) that it said avoid exercise that takes your heart rate up too high as the blood then goes to your muscles and heart etc and not to the places you need. I guess like anything it would probs be different for each person and the outcome would be too.

Thanks ☺️

[Connie290]

I'm in the exact same predicament as you. Research seems to say if you already do a type of exercise then it's ok to carry on, but then I was told by my consultant not to do any heavy lifting etc...and my main exercise that I love to do and I'm used to doing is weight lifting! Hard to know what to do for best especially when exercise is such a good thing for my mental health in these stressful times.

All the best in your future journey x

[LucyGoose24]

yes I have the debate in my mind everyday and just keep reading more about it but I can’t come to a definitive answer. When I speak to my consultant she says it’s fine but I try and explain that I do weight lifting and more than maybe your average gym class exertion and having watched a load of TikToks of people going through it and they often said they have to lay off anything too heavy. That’s it, it keeps me sane too and helps de stress! Deep down I think I feel like yoga, walking etc is probs the safer bet but if this goes on for a long time it might get even more wearing not being able to go!

Thank you- you too! Hope 2024 brings all the things you want x

[Christianbaby]

Hello! Following this thread because I too am curious about what is ok and not ok regarding exercise. Moderate exercise was the advice given to me too before. Hope everything goes well. x

[Aussie83]

Hiya, I did 6 IVF transfers and went through this mental ping pong every time as well.

I started out not doing any exercise once I started a cycle. But as time went on, mentally I needed the outlet to help me cope.

I ended up continuing my normal routine (which was weights and hiit) during stims and then after transfer I took it abit easier and just did yoga and long walks.

In saying that don’t do anything that you feel like you’d blame yourself for if that cycle didn’t work. Been there too! But the mental load is a lot so you need to take care of your head space too.

Good luck x

[Systema23]

Aussie83 is bang on about don’t do anything you would blame yourself for.

I exercised 6 times a week at the gym a mix of weights and cardio so running, and cross trainer. I was told by my clinic it was ok to exercise as I usually do up until the date of transfer then switch to walking, yoga, and meditation.

Although I had to reduce my exercise during my downreg for my transfer I continued with it for my mental health. It was only with the transfer that I stopped.

Mental health and feeling good about yourself is very important in this process. I used the gym to manage stress.

I am currently pregnant and I honestly believe that it was the positive changes including the gym that were the game changer for me.

Good luck xxx

[Becem92]

I feel like we are so harsh on ourselfs and over analyse everything we do when going through IVF as if it isn’t already stressful enough!

My last IVF cycle I continued with CrossFit up until egg retrieval. My nurse told me that as long as I felt ok, exercise would be ok. I did take it easy after egg retrieval and after transfer I stopped everything, I was super cautious as they told me no exercise. I went for a couple of slow walks and I actually spent 2 days after transfer doing absolutely nothing except lounging around and hoping for the best. Unfortunately it ended up ectopic and I was so ridiculously cautious but it didn’t help!

I am 4 days into stims on a new cycle now and I am doing reformer Pilates with a small amount of cardio, I plan on maintaining this throughout as it makes such a difference to my mental health. I would struggle not too. Of course I’m not doing real intense exercise like CrossFit no more, but something is better than nothing

After last time I think I really tortured myself over what I could and couldn’t do, I thought I done all the right things and I struggled so much with no exercise. I am going into this cycle believing that’s what’s meant to be will be. If my little embryo wants to stick around I’m sure they will ✨

You know your body better than anyone else so trust yourself with what you feel like you are able to do. Good luck xx

[CharcoalLab]

Hey! I was wondering this too when I started IVF in May. Im also an avid gym goer & teach classes in a CrossFit type gym. I did a lot of googling but couldn’t find anything concrete. My doctor said to carry on life as normal as much as poss…

For my first fresh round I made the decision to stop any high intensity exercise. IVF worked but I had a miscarriage at 10 weeks. Since then I’ve had 1 chemical pregnancy and am now waiting for 2nd FET which is on Friday.

For my 2nd and 3rd I’ve exercised as normal/ as much as I feel like. All the drugs have effected me a fair bit and when I was pregnant I felt so shit I couldn’t have exercised anyway so the decision was kind of out of my hands.

What I’ve learned throughout this is that if IVF is gonna work, it’s gonna work! It’s very much down to Mother Nature once the embryo is in, so just listen to your body 🤍 I wouldn’t say it’s the time to train for a marathon 😂 but exercise is so good for mental health too isn’t it & that can only be a positive thing surely! Xxx

[Mikki100]

I exercise regularly, mainly HIT , strength training and cycling. My consultant said do what your body is used to, don't add anything new or increase rigor post ET. For example, I hip thrust 120 kg, I would not choose post ET to try and hit a pb by increasing the weight. Similarly, I'm used to cycling 60km per week, I wouldn't choose to increase that post ET.

Do what is considered normal for your body. If it's activities you've done for months/years, your body will be fine. And ideally wait several days after ET. For my first 2 cycles I didn't exercise for a month after, however my current clinic told me it would increase blood flow to the uterus which is a good thing, plus my body is used to this level of exertion.

[CazzyM]

hello.

I found no professional would commit to an answer about exercise. I usually run 25+ miles a week, gym three times a week and sea swim twice a week when I’m not busy being pregnant.

I had ivf and I kept exercising as normal only easing a little bit the week after retrieval and the couple of weeks before transfer just so my body was too strained and was well rested.

I waited a week after my transfer to start back running but lowered my distance. I reduced gym to twice a week. Sea swimming once a week.

I had to make modifications or miss exercise when I had bad morning sickness so like week 9 to week 16 or pregnancy. I’m back with some sort of routine now. I’m now 20 weeks pregnant. Not really running at the moment, more of a slow jog with walking breaks and I just do free weights at home for strength and I swim in a pool twice a week. I try and walk for at least 30 mins every day. Sometime I go in the gym and out the treadmill on an incline so I feel like I exercised properly.

Some days my body says no. Your body will tell you what’s right. I think general advice is if you did things before then carry on as normal. Some days you just can’t exercise because ur too sick or too tired. And there’s not much you can do about that. I sulked a lot!

I’ve got adhd so I have to do some kind of physical activity for my mental health.

I think a lot of people give advice based on out of date research tbh. Obviously don’t strain yourself or put strain on your tummy. But otherwise it’s common sense really.

I found I had to keep my routine so I felt like there was some control in the chaos of ivf.

Go back to what you were doing before. Honestly unless a doctor or nurse tells you medically it’s not safe for you, you will be fine. You have to do whatever you can to keep your mental health in top condition. IVF batters it.