XP: Specific IVF Questions about Stims, ER, and ET

nawlinsgrl

Sorry this is a little long, but I have a few questions about IVF for those who have been through it themselves.

1.  I've managed to lose 23 lbs so far this year, and am almost exactly where I want to be weight-wise (another 5-10 lbs would be great, but I'll take what I can get), and so I am curious about weight gain during stims.  I'm totally okay with gaining weight when I'm pregnant, but would really like to keep my new body until then if possible.  I realize most of the weight would be water weight and bloating, but I'm curious about others experiences.  My plan is to maintain my diet (lean protein, veggies, beans, nuts only), maybe eating a little more if I get ravenous, like some people have mentioned, but not to cave and eat comfort/junk food.  I would like to keep exercising as well (kettlebells/weights and interval/high intensity treadmill workouts 30 min/5 days per week), but also hear that my body will kind of let me know when to stop that, since I won't be feeling so hot from bloating/back pain.  What was your experience with that?

2. Along the lines of exercise, when did your RE tell you to stop exercising, and for how long were you restricted?

3.  How did you feel during and after ER and ET?  I have a work trip that I am trying to go on, but can only do so if it's in between ER and ET, not after ET (it's scheduled for that week...ER is estimated for somewhere between 9/10-9/13, ET between 9/13-9/18...and the trip is 9/15-9/16 in Houston (I'm in New Orleans).  In addition, there is a local wedding I am supposed to attend on 9/17.  Obviously, if I have ET on 9/16 or 9/17 I won't go, but am wondering if I'll be up for it if ET is earlier.  How did you feel during, between, and shortly after ER and ET?

 All advice and experiences appreciated!

ELF4321

Any weight gain while on the meds will be bloat that will subside afterwards, although it can take a bit of time.  As far as exercise goes, we were told I shouldn't do anything except walking once you start stims and until at least a few days after ET because of the increased ovarian size and risk of twisting them all up and causing serious complication.  No running, yoga, lifting stuff, etc.  Definitely talk to your RE about what is allowed.

I would not plan any travel between ER and ET -- you have to play it day by day to see how the embies are growing and could end up needing a 3dt, or 5dt (or possibly another day if the lab is afraid they won't make it to 3 or 5 days).   I was also told at least a full day of bed rest and 2 days of very light activity following ET, so I wouldn't try to plan anything for right after ET either.

I can't answer about how it actually feels, because we haven't gotten there yet, but there are other ladies on the board who have been through this recently and can give you a better idea.

mtlaurel

1.  First, congratulations on your weight loss! I was running 3-6 miles every other day up until stims. Then, I switched to going pretty easy on the elliptical machine. After 5 days of stims, even that started to feel like too much bounce to me, so I switched to light-moderate endurance spinning. The day after trigger, it was too uncomfortable for me to lean over the handlebars on the trainer, so I switched to the stationary bike where I could more comfortably sit upright, and ended up giving up on that. At that point, I wasn't feeling too great. I don't think kettlebells are a good idea during stims. for fear of contorting your ovaries. I had some shooting pains and weird sensations from my ovaries and just using my stomach muscles to sit up in bed at times felt like a bad thing.

2. Mine said no strenuous activity from stims to beta.

3.  The day of ER I felt pretty good, just groggy. The day after - not so much. I still went to work, but I was very bloated and uncomfortable. 2 days after I was still physically uncomfortable, but more importantly, I was mentally a mess. After ET, I was told 24 hours of inactivity and another 24 hours of taking it very easy. I did that - stayed in bed the first day. Worked from home the second. I've since started walking the dog again, and rode the stationary bike again very, very easy yesterday. I felt a little crampy afterwards, so I might just stick to walking this week.

While I am still bloated, my actual weight is down from prior to starting stims. (Could be loss of muscle mass.) I also just didn't feel like eating  a whole lot between ER and ET due to bloating discomfort.

I would say leave yourself plenty of flexibility (maybe not schedule the work trip), so that you can do or not do whatever you feel comfortable with. Everyone's reactions and situations are different - partially depending on how many eggs are retrieved.

As far as exercise, be prepared to take it easy. And, remember that you have a very good base that will not completely evaporate over three weeks time. Good luck!

Mrs.McIrish

Hi,

Weight gain: Do not worry about it. I gained a couple during the process but it is back down again now that ET is done. I also did eat some junk food because my cycle was an emotional disaster and I am an emotional eater. I think you will be fine if you eat healthy. Whatever you gain is usually just fluid and it will go back down following the ET.

Exercise: no kettle bells please!  Your ovaries are going to get enlarged. It is uncomfortable. You don't want to risk them twisting and causing big issues. I did not have may follies and I still felt "strange" in my mid section. I think walking is ok and perhaps the elliptical if you were already doing it. I would not run during stims. It's too risky, especially if you have 10+ follies in there. I don't think your heartrate is supposed to be above 140 during this process. IVF is stressful on your body so don't add more stress. Finally, I was so exhausted during the stim phase, I honestly don't think you will be up to it.

I was told no exercise following ET until beta.

Work trip: Your IVF cycle does not always go as planned. My entire cycle was moved up a week just due to my body doing what it wanted.  You really need to be flexible and not try to "plan' too much because it is out of your control. I would say absolutely NOT to your work trip. I felt OK the day of ER but slept most of the afternoon. I also took vicodine.  The next day I was very sore. I did not expect it. It was not comfortable to have "regular clothes" on. I worked from home and stayed in bed. Finally, you do not know if you will have a 2day transfer, 3 day transfer or 5 day transfer.  It all depends on how many embies you get and you cannot control it. I had no idea I was going to have a 2 day transfer. You need to be in town obviously!

Wedding: You may feel ok but you may not. Depending on how close you are to the bride, I would ask if you can be a last minute decision. If you aren't sharing your IVF situation, I would decline the invitation. Weddings are expensive and I was pissed when people didn't show the day of when I had spent $120+ per person. You know what I mean?

Hope this helps.

Mrs.McIrish

One more comment I forgot: I was so devastated on Friday about the quality of my embies that I was basically catatonic. There was no way I was doing anything thay day. I also wanted nothing to do with people this weekend because I am sad. I would have been miserable at a wedding especially as you can't drink following ET.

nawlinsgrl

Very helpful responses everyone (and please keep them coming, it always helps to hear what others went through).  I realize now how high maintenance I must sound about the whole process.  I guess I'm most concerned about my weight because of the stupid wedding, since lots of people have heard about my weight loss but haven't seen it, so I selfishly wanted to be able to show that off instead of a big bloated belly if I even make it to the wedding. 

The dates of the work trip are set in stone for a training, but luckily I can get refundable airline tickets for that, and can miss it if need be, as it will be done over videoconference and will be taped as well.  I wanted to go to that to meet folks in person that I've been working with for the past year, but have never seen, let alone met.

Beyond that, it's definitely me having control issues.  I've always been of the opinion that I can't and don't need to control others, but I want to be in control of myself/my body, and I realize that in 2 weeks when I start stims, I won't be in control, not to mention during pregnancy, should I ever get that far. I'm doing my best to make peace with it in the interim.

 Thanks again to all for sharing your experiences.  I am definitely not going to be counting on attending any events, and am hopeful this will give me an excuse to miss a friend's baby shower on the 11th (I don't mean that in a bad way, just don't know that I will be up for it with everything going on right now).  I think the thing I will miss the most is being able to see the Broadway touring version of the Addams Family on the 15th, although I'm hoping I will be in town and physically up for that as a stress reliever!

tst1998

The hardest part of this whole infertility journey has been relinquishing control for me. I felt so out of control for the last year, that I took up running. I decided I was going to run a half-marathon, because I needed to feel like I could control the outcome of *something.* And I did. I actually ran two of them. But now everything is completely out of my control again with IVF, and I'm not even allowed to run. But... it is just for one month, so I am trying really hard to be ok with that and so far it's been good.

Weight gain, I can only speak to the weight I gained with the inejctables for my IUI, since I just started stims for IVF yesterday. There was definite bloating, my clothes didn't fit, I was uncomfortable. It went away about a week after I stopped the meds. I'm expecting worse with IVF. I'm going to a wedding in Sept. and I bought the dress I was going to wear months ago, so I'm hoping any bloating is gone by then, so it will still fit!

Exercise, I was told no running from stims to beta. Swimming is ok, cycling is ok, anything that doesn't feel uncomfortable is ok.

Travel, we scheduled IVF for the month when we had nothing else going on. I'm stressed out enough just trying to juggle this with work, and like PP have said, things do not always go according to schedule. Plus I fully expect to feel like crap between ER and ET and am planning on taking a few sick days.

I fully support using this as an excuse to miss your friend's baby shower. I know I wouldn't be able to handle it with all the hormones, etc. Good luck! And just try to take it day by day.