Hi, I'm about to start my first frozen transfer cycle after a freeze all collection a few months ago. In the last year I've been doing an aerial hoop class once a week and it's been so good for my mental health (and fitness too). I had always planned that if I got pregnant I would just stop going, however now that we've got to the stage of IVF, everything feels somehow heightened. I'm finding that I'm apprehensive about the transfer not just because it might not work, but because it might, and hoop has become such an important part of my life, I don't know what I'll do if and when I have to stop.
I've spoken to the studio and they've said that I'm welcome to carry on attending classes pregnant as long as I sign a waiver (and am careful about which moves I do), but I'm not sure how I feel about that. I will, of course, discuss it with the clinic, but wondered what anybody else's thoughts are?
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SquishyBean
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We all know that this journey can be stressful and we all handle it differently.
One of the things they have always said not to do was exercise during the 2ww.....this is your decision what you want to do but if I were you I wouldn't do it and if it is positive it would have been worth it and if it negative then you can continue with it.
Also when you finally get pregnant my advice would be not to do something that might hurt the chances of a healthy pregnancy. Talking from experience if something goes wrong it is an awful feeling and a feeling of did I do something to cause this?
These are only my personal advice and at the end you are the one who has to decide what is the right choice for you.
So my clinic told me to carry on as normal after my transfer, apart from high cardio like boxercise and bungee jumping ( that's honestly what they said). I've been walking every day, inc day of transfer. However, one of my friends just laid on the sofa during her TWW. My mental health would suffer for that as I use a daily walk to chill and process. But that was right for her. I think we are all different and have to do what makes us comfortable, but my clinic also said if doing something makes you nervous then stop. Their your first port of call, so discuss with them.
You might find you feel differently after your transfer anyway. I certainly have!
My NHS and private clinic both said carry on as normal (bar kickboxing or anything else that could cause trauma to the abdomen!) but try and avoid straining the area if you're not used to it and don't choose now to take up anything new and strenuous. I think that's to avoid risk of ectopic. It used to be they advised bed rest for IVF and pregnancy but the advice has changed as that's probably more harmful than good. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen (good for uterus) and helps phyisical and mental health, which is what you want for for treatment and pregnancy. I don't know about aerial hoop (sounds amazing!) and if you've been doing it for a year your body and muscles must be used to it, but just so you don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work or something goes wrong, it may be better to modify it or take a short break for the 2ww and try something else to keep you fit and relaxed.
My advice would be not to do anything that you'd question yourself over if you had a miscarriage. As you'd beat yourself up over it forever. Personally I'd find a different activity than something where you're stretching and pulling. x
It’s a very personal decision. The general consensus seems to be if you were doing it regularly beforehand it’s fine to continue providing its not super high intensity or comes with a risk of trauma to the abdomen. I have no experience with aerial hoops but lift heavy weights 3 times a week and my consultant advised it was fine to continue after FET, which I did and I’m now 21 weeks pregnant. I had a fresh transfer last year and didn’t train in early weeks and miscarried at 7 weeks. I genuinely don’t believe the outcome would have been any different if I was training. You should ultimately do what you feel comfortable with. Perhaps see if there are any resources online for pregnancy modifications for aerial (there are lots for strength training). Good luck with it all!
like you I used exercise to combat mental health issues. My clinic advised not to do anything other than walking or light yoga during 2WW.
Afterwards I fully intended to go back to exercise. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to, due to illness and exhaustion in the first trimester and simply because I have also had a lot of other triggers my mental health has suffered.
With the aerial manoeuvres I would think they would be too risky in case I fell. That being said, if I had the energy and no sickness during my pregnancy I would have exercised throughout.
Perhaps you could do an alternative form of exercise after the 2WW? But like one of the other posters have said, I think something you need to ask yourself is, if after the 2WW you got a BFP and later miscarried, would you blame yourself for it? If the answer is yes, then perhaps you should find alternative means of protecting your mental health such as mindfulness.
I, for one, am looking forward to getting back to fitness postpartum.
hi squishy bean, I have been an aerial circus artist for over a decade and do many other activities as well and have struggled with the same question. In the beginning, I trusted for myself that I would know if something felt too strenuous and not stress my body too much but still stick with it (like no big drops on the silks, not a lot of spinning on the hoop, etc) especially seeing all my peers in the aerial world continue training and performing throughout their pregnancy. But after what I have been going through with IVF I have ended up changing my approach and greatly reducing my activities to help my body feel settled and as safe as possible, like no inflammation from training or energy depletion, etc. I plan to not do any intense movement (just gentle walking and stretching) for my TWW after transfer and if I have success and feel up to it after 8 weeks, returning for gentle aerial dance (no new moves and only things I feel strong enough to do). I think it might also depend how physically strong you feel because strenuous exercise is relative. If pull-ups are easy for example, that’s not going to be as stressful on your body! So it’s whatever makes you feel comfortable!! My naturopath says that the “no strenuous activity” should be considered in relation to other factors like how much are you eating and sleeping, in order to really see the impact it has on your energy and body. Good luck!! - Emma
My clinic told me to go on as usual with my exercise routine but to avoid high-impact exercises. For me, I'd probably consider some low-impact alternatives to stay active and help with mental health. Wishing you all the best. x
If you have to sign a waiver to do something, I'd really consider the risk. I was in your position with riding lessons, but opted to discontinue after my transfer because we've already invested so much money in this process that it wasn't worth the risk to me.
Consider: if it doesn't implant or you miscarry, would you blame yourself or be fine?
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