Heavy lifting after embryo transfer

[abitlostandalwayshungry]

Hi, hoping for your stories and experiences again, answers are extremely appreciated.
After my embryo transfer I got the advice not to lift heavy - without any exact detail what weight would be considered heavy. I have been lifting our puppy around the house ever since (he is 8kg = 18 pound) and didn't think any of it. The other day I felt his weight in my back and wondered if he is too heavy, and asking me clinic they said o should've lift items heavier than 5kg, so nearly half his weight. Obviously I feel very guilty and am worried I have lowered my chances of the embryos implanting. On the other hand - mums who go through Ivf surely lift their older kids around if they have any? What's your take on this?

[Avenueofcherryblossom]

Hi op, I didn’t get the advice to not lift heavy weights when I went through my first round of icsi. I was lifting weights of 25kg multiple times a day at work during my 2ww and my embryos didn’t implant. I really wished I hadn’t lifted those heavy weights, who knows, maybe that’s why they didn’t implant? When I had my second round I refused to lift weights that heavy at work and it was successful.

I would avoid lifting your puppy anymore if I was you but try not to feel guilty. There are so many factors at work during ivf and icsi you could drive yourself mad trying to trying to be perfect.

[Avenueofcherryblossom]

Oh, I forgot to wish you good luck. X

[Teddybear45]

During my 2 ww I was regularly lifting my 4 stone neice and 3 stone nephew, often at the same time. I still got my BFP.

Get your head out of Google. A lot of the old wive’s tales on there are absolute crap. If heavy lifting really did cause miscarriage then female bricklayer / construction workers in India wouldn’t be able to have kids. Women in Africa and Asia who carry two stone pots of water on their heads wouldn’t he able to have kids. Bodybuilders and mums of toddlers wouldn’t be able to have kids!!!

[abitlostandalwayshungry]

That sounds so reassuring teddybear45 !
I wasn't sure if there is a difference between natural conception and ivf 2ww rules, I guessed the with ivf my body is already less up for pregnancy and felt therefor guilty for lifting against the clinics guidelines. But I love what you are saying about old wife's tales, female bodies are so strong and capable and I hate the old damsel in distress stereotype applied to our gender. 💪

[HumpHumpWhale]

The reason you're not meant to lift heavy things when you are or might be pregnant is that you're more likely to pull a muscle, it's nothing to do with the foetus. There is no way lifting things can have an impact on whether implantation happens or not.

[Teddybear45]

Exactly. We are strong.

[Buttonsbl]

Hi everyone I’m really struggling I have just had an embryo transfer and the following day I went shopping I used a basket because I didn’t need much then half way round it became to heavy I put it down and asked a staff member to carry it to the check out now I’m stressed 😩 out that I might of effected the embryo implanting does anyone have any advice please?

[AliceAbsolum]

@HumpHumpWhale Excellent advice.

[abitlostandalwayshungry]

@Buttonsbl please don't worry too much, i doubt that a full basket can weigh (more than 5kg?) enough to make a difference - also you recognized the possible risk and found a solution immediately - sounds to me you are doing everything in your power to help implantation. wishing you well!

[Lanaz]

Actually lifting heavy does impact implantation , I have had 5 transfers and lifted weights for my job or trained in the gym or lifted my 14kg puppy and each time it failed . I didn’t listen to the dr who told me No lifting as I believed my body would be ok doing the same things it’s always done . Lifting can cause uterine contractions and affect the embryo implanting.
Please ladies it’s only a few weeks of taking it easy . DONT LIFT THINGS there are plenty of options for exercise , Pilates , yoga , swimming , walking, treadmill, body weight exercise taking it slower. It’s a small price to pay for a better chance of a positive result . I had my 6th transfer and only walked , swam and did light stretching and yoga after 5 days and am pregnant 🙏

[Mrskam]

@Lanaz

Actually lifting heavy does impact implantation , I have had 5 transfers and lifted weights for my job or trained in the gym or lifted my 14kg puppy and each time it failed . I didn’t listen to the dr who told me No lifting as I believed my body would be ok doing the same things it’s always done . Lifting can cause uterine contractions and affect the embryo implanting.
Please ladies it’s only a few weeks of taking it easy . DONT LIFT THINGS there are plenty of options for exercise , Pilates , yoga , swimming , walking, treadmill, body weight exercise taking it slower. It’s a small price to pay for a better chance of a positive result . I had my 6th transfer and only walked , swam and did light stretching and yoga after 5 days and am pregnant 🙏

Please do need help im ttc since 2 years last year i had miscarriage and is 8kg weight do effect implantation as i do shopping and lift app 8kg and than use stairs as i lived on second floor is this effect my implantation as this is only happens today not lifting any weight during ovulation is this effect implantation or not im very much worried i will take care from today and im much worried now

[HDC]

Exactly right. It can be hard to take it easy sometimes, but necessary. Not Everyone has a body made for popping out babies. There are a Great many of us that have various hormonal and other issues that affect our ability to carry a baby to full term and are instead plagued by miscarriages and infertility. And these already delicate systems are even more sensitive when trying to do the work of creating new life. Therefore, we have to be more strict about All sorts of things & more diligent in being Careful so as not to contribute any stress, strain, contractions, low blood flow, ETC ETC ETC to our reproductive system. Giving the pregnancy process the best chance. If we all could easily have babies like dogs without care there would be no need for forums like this.

[Chris112]

@abitlostandalwayshungry I know this is an old thread, but did lifting your 8kg puppy have an impact at the end? Were you successful with that round of embryo transfer?