Do you modify your exercise during IVF cycles?

[Possums]

Hi all... I know plenty of people cut back on exercise during the TWW, and that is a personal choice (I personally have sometimes done my normal routine, and other times done not much...i had more success when I stuck with my normal exercise routine).

What I am wondering at the moment though, is do you exercise less during the actual IVF cycle...the synarel, and injection phase...and after egg collection (but before transfer)?

I think last time I tried to do my normal routine, but I do feel more tired and sick (synarel especially knocks me around) and it can be a struggle. Another friend suggested I should be resting more so my body is in a good state ready for pregnancy. But exercise in an outlet for me, and a stress reliever.

I am interested in other view points and approaches ...

[Possums]

maybe noone else thinks much about this?

[buliej]

Hi Possums - Before ET, I basically do whatever makes me happy/feel good.

During the cycle, I don't worry too much about over doing it (because I don't push myself THAT hard - enough to work up a good sweat). After egg pick-up, I don't feel great (bloated, crampy) so that is probably when I really do stop exercising except for walking. An after ET, I really do take it easy - I make sure to keep it so that my heart rate is such that I could carry on a conversation (less than 140 seems to be standard advice - but I can't recall from where!).

Generally, before ET, I would think it's all based on how you feel and what you are mentally comfortable with. I think that so long as you treat your body well and get a good night's sleep, you should exercise as much as you like prior to ET - the stress relief is a HUGE thing.

I definitely not an expert when it comes to this, so please take this all with a grain of salt. (I hate to see a question with no replies)

[Possums]

Thanks Julie...I think I will keep doing my usual thing until egg collection at least...and then just do walks perhaps leading up to transfer (hopefully we do get something to transfer!), and then walks during the TWW (in my last natural pregnancy, I had been doing walks/gym/yoga in the TWW, as I had thought we had no real chance of conceiving...and then found I was pregnant!)

I am maybe starting to think too much about it all again, it's so hard not to get a bit consumed

[K1]

I did my regular thing, but found after egg pick up I was out for a week. I felt a bit guity and asked my sister what she thought (she a fitness instructor) and she said to take care of myself first and get back on track when feeling up to it, "be kind to yourself" were her words.

[Cuddlepie]

I am not an expert on this either but I think if your body is used to the level of exercise you are doing normally, there is no point stopping it especially prior to EPU. If it relax you, I'd say go for it and keep your routine. You might want to take it easy after EPU, your body is probably not up to it anyway, so don't force it and do what you feels comfortable at the time. During TWW, I think walking and yoga is a great way to keep healthy and your last pregnancy is just a perfect testimonial that moderate exercise might even help with conception.

When it comes to exercise, I am not very good at keeping it up. But when this cycle starts, I plan to do some moderate run/fast walking prior to EPU to keep it healthy as much as I can, normally I feel quite normal on drugs so generally not much impact on my body, then I will take it easy after EPU, maybe some gentle walking...I might rest more a few days after ET but will pick up walking for the rest of TWW. Lets hope I stick with my plan.

Where are you in the cycle hun? Hope all is going well!

[Possums]

CP - thanks for your input...and I do hope you stick to your plan

I am due to start injections tomorrow. I hope my hormones are baseline (last time they weren't and I had to keep on sniffing for an extra week before i could start injecting)...so with any luck my EPU will be in about 2 weeks.

You are right too in terms of exercise being helpful, even as a stress release, compared to doing nothing. With my first stim cycle transfer, I cut right back in the TWW...and I got a BFN. With my other BFP cycles I maintained most of my normal routine (except yoga, as I do Ashtanga, which is very powerful and they recommend stopping in the first trimester)

Well, here's hoping we walk our way to a BFP

[Cuddlepie]

Glad you will start the injection soon, the front part sometimes can feel like a drag...hope you are feeling ok to keep up the exercise. I am doing a short cycle this time, so our dates probably will be close depends on when AF shows up (suppose to be this weekend), will keep an eye on you hun.

If I am having a lapse on my excersie plan, just give me a kick in the butt...

[Possums]

ok I will! maybe we can be in the TWW together