Exercise During IVF

crene84 · February 2012

I know a lot of you ladies have done IVF now, many with success, and I'm curious if any of you worked out during stims or after the procedures? My doctor said I can do the elliptical, yoga, and walking (except for the day of ER and ET). I normally workout at least an hour a day pretty intensively so it's going to be a big change for me to not be able to do that, but of course I'm willing to do whatever I need to for a BFP. But I'm curious, for those of you who do work out, what did you do during IVF? Thanks and congrats for all those BFPs out there!

jessican08 · February 2012

During stims I was told just to take it easy when exercising and not to do any exercises that involve abdominal twisting, crunches, etc.

I'll have the same instructions after transfer and also not to elevate my heart rate past 140 (I think?). So basically no exercises that you couldn't do while carrying on a conversation with someone.

Mnerani · February 2012

I'm not the expert you're looking for, but my RE told me that when I start IUI, I should only walk and stretch (including light yoga) during the 2ww. The accupuncturist I work with would prefer for me to stop doing all impact workouts like running, jumping rope, and mountain biking (I'm very active like you). She said that big outlays of energy like that can detract from the energy that needs to go to my reproductive organs and that contortions of the ovaries, F-tubes, and uterus is no good. I don't know if traditional Chinese medicine means anything to you (I'm still making up my mind about it), but my RE tends to agree with reducing impact activities during IF treatments. HTH!

Gregermis · February 2012

I was told no "bouncing" during stims... walking and prenatal yoga were pretty much it for the approved list. I basically stopped all activity until after my confirmed c/p

Mrs.Slick · February 2012

I was told nothing out of the ordinary during stims but I was warned that I probably wouldn't want to - and they were right. I was so bloated and uncomfortable I didn't want to do anything making me bounce up and down. I was told only light exercise in the 2WW.

I kept up with walking only.

RobinR91 · February 2012

My office is overly cautious about everything. When I started iuis in Sept, they told me to severely limit my working out (like you, active. AT LEAST a good hour work out.I used to run half marathons, very driven) and for the first few weeks I did "fine" but then I feel like mentally the lack of exercise made me CRAZY. Like a pent up greyhound or something. Guess what!? I went to the Dr for a follow up today (we're starting IVF...BC pills start tonight). I asked him about the lack of exercise affecting my mental health. He rolled his eyes and said "Casey is overly cautious. You can work out, you can do yoga, whatever you need to do. Just listen to your body and don't stress it" he went on to say that I was probably causing more stress by NOT exercising (for someone like us) than I would be with moderate exercise.

I'M SO STOKED TO HIT THE GYM TOMORROW!!!

Stick out tongue I hope this helps

Seagull2012 · February 2012

i'm right there with you. I read also that you should avoid jumping and overdoing it when you are in 2ww but i am used to excercising 6x a week - a mixture of yoga and moderate to high cardio. So stopping was really not an option for me mentally or physically!

i did, however, dial it down. i used to run half-marathons too so no more training for them and i only run once a week and try to do more medium impact - like hiking or elliptical. But weight lifting and yoga (not hot yoga! it depletes you!!) are great to do.

I agree - if you are used to exercising, stopping it altogether is way more stressful and i think may be a shock to to your system.

i will say i have gained like 5-8lbs since i started ttc'ing. which doesnt sound like a lot but it is for me at my weight. i think it's a mixture of stress eating, hormone crap we go through and decreasing my activity -- i used to rely on my workouts to keep the weight off.

sigh. just hoping this extra weight is a jumpstart on my future BFP!

crene84 · February 2012

Thanks everyone! Basically as my RE put it, your ovaries swell during the stims so if you work out too hard, you have a risk of twisting them, yikes! And my nurse said you don't want to build any lactic acid (which happens when you increase your heart rate for long periods of time)...so they told me no running..and no weight lifting..which are my workouts of choice. I just plan to walk on my treadmill A LOT and jump on the elliptical every now and again..I might seek out some prenatal yoga but the ovaries twisting is a bit concerning and some yoga is pretty tough on the core. I suppose that's where the "prenatal" comes in.

So yea, I am weird in the fact that I crave my workouts...it is my biggest stress reliever, so that's why I was so concerned to cut it out...I can still burn calories but nothing compares to a good run (as you half marathoners can relate!)...I will miss that so much...I start stims tonight so I am actually excited for my last run for quite a while..I'm going to have to make it a good one!

cyndi72 · February 2012

I just got back from Day 4 on stims U/S. The nurse asked if how I was tolerating the injections. I said the Repronex leaves a nice 1 inch red swelling around the injection site. I told her it was hurt a little when I was bouncing. She said "No bouncing!" She was surprised no one had told me before about the exercise thing. Risk of twisting and torsion of the ovaries. I said I did Zumba and she said "No exercising, just walking. No yoga, especially twisting" Yoga is my sanity and do it at least 2x a week. I will skip the yoga class and just do some very gentle prenatal type yoga on my own. She also said no heavy lifting as well. I should just take it easy. She said I could do some light weights on my arms like some bicep curls. Better safe than sorry. Gives me an excuse to sit on the couch and read.

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