IVF and exercise

[ThoughtfulOne]

I am currently going through/preparing for my first cycle and just wondering what others have done regarding exercise. I would usually cycle as part of my journey to work, run a couple of times a week etc.

I've hear various things about only doing light exercise (but apart from walking) I'm not really sure what this is. I'm also aware that I need to keep my weight under control and my stress levels ...

What did/ would you do?

I wasn't really sure either. Bike riding to and from work will be fine, I've stopped my usual exercise because its quite high impact/weight lifting type stuff. To be honest I've felt so tired and crappy during it that I've even wanted to do much walking either!

I stopped running as even though I am reasonably fit (or rather was, before I did 3 cycles of IVF in 8 months!) my heartrate used to get daftly high and I would get really hot. I carried on gymming though, taking a break around EC because I didn't feel up to anything then. It is minor surgery after all. I wasn't doing anything high impact though.

My clinic encourages light exercise such as walking after ET as it improves blood flow to the uterus.

Thanks both. It's just another crappy thing to add to a list of crappy things.

Can I ask if you had successful cycles?

I'm still on mine, ET planned for Sunday

I was in the gym around 3 times a week in the run up to our IVF (had been for few years), including 1-2 spin classes a week. I stopped when I began stimming drugs as my energy levels slumped and I was also advised to take it a bit easier with collection and transfers. Gentle exercise (walking etc.) was fine though.

It's also worth considering your partner's exercise. There are no firm recommendations based on scientific data, but my DH (a sports and fitness fanatic) eased back in the run up to his donation and modified his regime to help keep his bits in optimal condition!

Fwiw after 2 fresh rounds of ICSI and 2 frozen, I'm now 22weeks pregnant.

Good luck on Sunday Raspberry!

I got a BFP with my first cycle but mc'd. My next two cycles were chem pregs.

Thanks Yoni!

Not sure if this is way way too much information, but when there are other women out there spending $$$$ and wanting IVF to work, this might help! After a dismal failure with my first IVF, I was exercising (walking/jogging/swimming) in the lead up to my current IVF. I am going for egg collection tomorrow and this time while I have been doing stim injections, I have been having lots of... er, orgasms. Just seems to make sense that this would help get blood flow to the reproductive organs and help the follicles grow. A friend who got pregnant on her third IVF did the same thing. Can't hurt. I will know in two weeks if this works out for me too!