IVF and Exercise

[chorlts]

hiya
i am just starting IVF (first injection last night) and am worried about whether i should be exercising or not?
i am fit and healthy and generally exercise about 3-4 times a week - running, step, trampolining and kettlebellls.

i obviously don't want to jepordise the ivf but also, exercise helps me to deal with stress and this whole process is quite stressful...

does anyone have any thoughts/ knowledge?

thanks muchly

I'd take it slightly easy as the injections do have an effect especially as you near retrieval - bloating and some discomfort.
Perhaps less strenuous exercise like swimming? I stuck to ashtanga yoga which was both a serious workout and relaxing.

I'd say just listen to your body. During the first week or so of downregging, I carried on as normal. After that I felt so bloated and exhausted I could barely drag myself to work and back, let alone do any exercise.

I was told to really take it easy, no impact stuff such as running. No weights either. I was even told to avoid the x trainer as it can put stress on your insides. I was advised to do walking (boring I know).

I think you may get a million different answers. I was told to carry on as normal, and did. I was at the gym M-F and running at the weekend - light weights and 1hr CV work, 30-40 min runs at the w/e.

I found it definitely helped with the stress and bloating. I went running a couple of days after ET too - I figured if I had got pregnant naturally then I wouldn't have had a clue and would have been doing just that.

I cannot stress enough though, listen to what your doctors say and then to what your body is saying. Not wishing to think doom and gloom but I would also consider how you may possibly feel if your cycle fails - you really don't want to be in the position of beating yourself up with 'what-ifs' in relation to exercise or anything. I have my fingers crossed for you!

Have you asked the clinic?
Although different, I have been worried about running during the TWW as I seem to spot when running post ov.
This cycle I didn't run, didn't make a scrap of difference though.

They said do what your body feels (ie the clinic) but most of the time my body says sit on the sofa and eat chocolate so not sure that works!!!

I think I will do some biking and light jogging so I still feel I am doing something but maybe not as strenuous
We have paid for 3 cycles so I am trying to live as normally as possible at least at the beginning....am trying very hard to pretend this hasn't taken over my life!!

Thanks v much for all thoughts :-)