The Do's and Don'ts of Exercising During IVF
Incorporating regular exercise during in vitro fertilization (IVF) can provide numerous health benefits. Alongside maintaining a balanced diet, physical activity can positively influence your body’s fertility journey by promoting overall well-being.
However, when exercising during IVF, it's important to take additional precautions. Factors such as the type, frequency, and intensity of workouts need careful consideration to ensure they support, rather than hinder, fertility treatments.
In this article, we’ll cover the recommended forms of exercise during IVF treatment and highlight some important restrictions to keep in mind.
Understanding Exercise Guidelines During IVF
There are several benefits to engaging in light to moderate exercise during IVF stimulation. Physical activity can help balance hormones, improve circulation, and support overall health, which may enhance your body’s ability to conceive. However, there are specific restrictions that must be followed to avoid compromising the success of IVF treatment. Strenuous or high-impact activities should be avoided, as they can interfere with blood flow to the reproductive organs or lead to injury.
During certain phases of IVF, particularly hormone injections, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer, exercise may need to be minimized or completely restricted. If ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs, gentle activities such as walking or light stretching might be the only recommended options, and in some cases, no exercise at all is advised.
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen.
Do’s — Safe Exercises During IVF Stimulation
Low-Impact & Gentle Exercises
Walking: One of the easiest and most beneficial low-impact exercises. Start with a relaxed pace and gradually increase your speed and duration as your body allows. Pay attention to how you feel and adjust accordingly.
Pilates: A low-impact exercise focused on core strength, stability, and flexibility. Mat-based Pilates movements can be modified to suit your fitness level.
Yoga: Gentle yoga helps reduce stress, improve flexibility, and enhance mindfulness. During the early IVF stages, more dynamic yoga can support blood flow, but post-egg retrieval and after embryo transfer, it’s best to focus on meditation and light poses.
Moderate-Impact & Gentle Intensity Exercises
Swimming
Water Aerobics
Stationary Cycling
Light Weightlifting (with minimal strain on the abdominals)
Don’ts — Exercises to Avoid During IVF
High-Impact & Strenuous Activities
High-Impact Workouts: Activities involving jumping, bouncing, or quick, sharp movements should be avoided. This includes running and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) during IVF stimulation.
Contact Sports: Sports with a risk of collision, such as football, basketball, or soccer, pose too much danger of injury and should be off-limits.
Heavy Weightlifting: Lifting exercises that strain the core, such as squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, or any activity involving deep twisting or heavy abdominal pressure, are not recommended.
Avoid Exercise During Egg Retrieval and Embryo Transfer
It’s essential to refrain from all physical activity during the week of egg retrieval and for two weeks following the embryo transfer. This is a time for rest and recovery, with a focus on minimizing physical exertion, even light exercise.
Why Choose Nicosia Fertility?
Nicosia Fertility is led by world-renowned fertility specialists who design personalized treatment plans to enhance the likelihood of successful pregnancies. We prioritize patient care and are with you every step of the way on your fertility journey.
Our team has extensive experience helping women of all ages achieve their fertility goals and is dedicated to providing compassionate guidance and support throughout the process. If you’re seeking individualized, empathetic fertility care, Nicosia Fertility is the ideal choice. Contact us to schedule your consultation today!
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