Exercise in the month of FET

[CoCoaButter85]

I try and exercise regularly. x2 per week doing weights (nothing too heavy) and also try to do cardio workouts x2 per week (I love step routines and spin). I don't think it is too strenuous and helps me with my overall well being.

I had a mixed response is I can continue on the month f FET or not. I agree after FET I need to take it easy (go for walks instead). However, what about weeks before FET? Doctor said it is fine but nurses are adamant I should avoid any exercise apart from walking.

What were you advised and what did you do?

I'm onto my third transfer and it is miserable as it is already.

Anyone? Surely I can't be the only one coming up with a question like this

I’m due to transfer on Tuesday and will be going to an exercise class in the morning before I transfer. I haven’t asked the doctors, but my fertility acupuncturist said she thinks it’s fine. Good to get the blood flowing and for mental health. I’ll go to walks and stretching once I’ve had the transfer. I’ve done a lot of treatment, and blessed with two children, and my approach is to be as healthy as possible both mentally and physically. And for me exercise helps both. Wishing you all the best!

My clinic advised me to refrain from any strenuous activities, to take it easy on the day of transfer, to carry on with normal life from the next day (but avoid strenuous activities).
What is strenuous to me, might not be strenuous to you, it's a bit subjective. But the bottom-line is you shouldn't do anything that can cause the uterus to contract and disrupt the lining.

I mostly did walking 1 to 2 times per week . A mix of mild walking /moderate uphill walking in the mountains. I did find the uphill walking challenging and it did test me. Then I did some gentle cardio and light weights and sometimes cycling.
After my transfer tho I did absolutely nothing @CoCoaButter85

thank you for all teh answers. Hope enjoying Sunday night so far ❤

@LilacMoon I am also thinking to do very light exercise and some weights but nothing apart from walking after transfer. With spin and step classes it can be very intense. Might just do lower intensity ones instead

@ByTheSeaCatsandAll exercise help my mental help a lot hence why I don't want to rule everything out completely before the transfer. And good luck next week and most importantly the 2 weeks after 💐

@Serendipity24 - they told the same its anything that can disturb the lining that is an issue hence the advise is no exercise in in the cycle before transfer.

You're absolutely fine to exercise as normal up to transfer. Following transfer it's the standard IVF recommendation of gentle exercise fine but nothing moderate-intense (although worth noting actual evidence even for this is a bit sketchy). Good luck.

@SErunner thanks for replying. That's exactly what my doctor said. But then nurses were strictly no exercise.

We're you tld this by your doctors or done your own research based on evidence?

Both. I run 4-5 times per week and it's important for my well-being so I did look into it in some detail. My consultant had no concerns about me exercising however I wanted until transfer. I really wouldn't worry about it, just crack on do what feels best for you :)

Hi everyone, sorry to jump on this post but can I ask what you all did about exercise during your stims? Did you carry on as normal as long as you felt about to?

@CoCoaButter85 good luck for your upcoming transfer! And anyone else who is waiting for one also

I've run through all my stims cycles as well, and between EC and transfer. From what I've read the main evidenced reason for not exercising is the increased risk you already have of ovarian torsion (the risk is very small). Other claims such as it impacting the effect of the stims, placing additional stress on your body etc don't really stack up. There is good evidence it helps improve blood flow to your uterus. My consultant was happy for me to continue exercising and I trust him. I've had a successful cycle alongside unsuccessful ones and didn't do anything different. I don't really think there is a reason to not exercise during the TWW either, after the first couple of days. However on this I do play it safe and hold off until test day. I think you have to do what you're comfortable with though, you don't want to look back and feel cross with yourself. Equally don't start anything new or push times/targets whatever. Not a time for trying to refine performance! Good luck.

@SErunner thanks for sharing your experience and congratulations on your successful cycle.

I think I’m just going to go to my usual class and during stims and see how I get on. It’s not high intensity or lifting heavy but there are a few moves where your hips would be higher than your head which I read isn’t advised but there is so much conflicting info on the internet I will see how I feel and sit out any exercises I don’t feel comfortable doing. Thanks again!

@Capybara95 - thanks very much! It's my 3 transfer so novelty has worn off somewhat but I remain hopeful nevertheless.

When is your collection?

When I was prepping for EC I was ok to exercise to begin with (I wasn't doing anything too intense, just my usual routine), however, closer to the collection I naturally didn't want to exercise (apart from walking). I was bloated, sore, couldn't sleep and my emotions were all over the place (blame the medication for that). Just went for long walks to keep my sanity intact as anything like jumping, bending etc just naturally didn't feel like something I could've done

@CoCoaButter85 hopefully third time lucky for you. Have all your transfers been from the same collection?

my collection is currently scheduled for next Wednesday but I’m only on day 4 of stims so haven’t had a scan yet so could change.

yes I can imagine that will be the case with me to, I feel ok at the minute but already a bit swollen so think by next week I won’t feel like exercising much

@Capybara95 yes, all transfers from the same collection. Elevated NK cells were found so this time will be steroids and intralipid infusions. Which is fine but I am really not looking forward to side effects of the medication. Thankfully only two weeks of it. Depending on the outcome I suppose.

Hopefully your collection runs smoothly and you have some strong embryos from it. Try to take it easy if you can and don't worry too much about anything. The clinic knows what they are doing so you are in good hands

Sorry, I have another question and wonder what do you guys think about coffee? I'm happy not to drink it but my biggest problem is I get really constipated if I don't drink it. So now I just drink it every few days when it becomes too uncomfortable.

What are your opinions on this?

@SErunner sorry to tag you. I have an impression you have clearly done your homework when it comes to research. It would be great to see your opinion on the coffee question (appreciate you might not drink coffee anyway)

@CoCoaButter85 thanks. I’ve felt quite relaxed about it all so far thankfully and have next week off work for my collection and to give myself some headspace whilst we wait to hear how everything progresses after that so hopefully will be able to avoid as much stress as possible.

My husband and I have both cut down to one coffee a day and trying to have no caffeine other than that. My clinic said that was fine but obviously I haven’t finished my cycle yet to advise. They haven’t really given us much advice on what to do/not to do tbh. Just no alcohol and minimal coffee. We are NHS so not sure if that’s why we don’t have as much info as some others seem to have

No worries @CoCoaButter85. I've just been on the train for quite a few years so have read a lot in that time! The evidence base doesn't really support the idea of alcohol or caffeine having any impact if you are sticking within the general recommended guidelines on the NHS website. I personally drink alcohol very infrequently anyway so I have just continued having the odd glass when I feel like it, irrespective of fertility treatment. I did switch tea and coffee to decaf when we were struggling to conceive our daughter (had her via IVF in 2021, currently about to go into 3rd round of IVF to try and have a sibling), and have stayed on decaf since. Again, I have the odd cup of regular tea and coffee from time to time and don't stress about it. I do have some dark chocolate pretty much every day though which has some caffeine in it.

Overall my understanding is that the lifestyle changes as a whole really don't have much evidence to support them. However, if it helps you feel better knowing you are making some positive changes for your health generally, then of course there is no harm. The key message I took is not to stress yourself out about it. The odd alcoholic drink and a cup of coffee once a day is highly unlikely to have any effect on your success conceiving. You just want to be following as much of the general health advice as possible in terms of a well balanced, low processed diet, regular activity and keeping your weight within the normal BMI range. Anything beyond this seemingly doesn't give any additional benefit.

In terms of constipation, you could try increasing the amount of fruit you eat (excluding bananas - apples, grapes, raspberries can all help), and dried fruit is good too. Also make sure you are generally well hydrated and eat plenty of veg. Increasing fibre intake is important - oats are good, wholemeal bread, pasta, rice, oatcakes are a good snack, and generally trying to be more plant based ie beans, pulses, lentils.

Hope this helps :)

@Capybara95 I think they all give the same advice regardless NHS or not. Also everything is so vague and nothing is guaranteed. I think the more transfers we have to go through the more we learn and see what works better for our bodies. Good to know you are not completely cutting it down. As SErunner mentions everything needs to be in moderation and balance . Good luck waiting for the results. I found it more stressful even compared to testing after transfer

@SErunner I cut down on alcohol as a general attempt to get more healthy so not missing it too much. However, my friends will come over just after transfer so might have a glass for the occasion. I love coffee but don't see an issue cutting it out completely. Trying to change my diet to include more vegetables and plant make it more plant based indeed. Good luck with your 3rd round! Fingers crossed 3rd time lucky for both of us💐