Exercise and IVF: What You Need to Know

Exercise and IVF: What You Need to Know

Share
Every couple has the dream of enjoying the bliss of parenthood but certain fertility issues can create barriers in this journey. If a couple experiences problems conceiving a baby for more than a year then they seek an effective fertility treatment and in most cases, it is IVF or in-vitro fertilization. You can visit a nearby IVF center in Siliguri to diagnose the underlying causes of fertility and start an IVF cycle for a successful pregnancy. 

While undergoing the IVF treatment, you may have many questions about what to do and what not to do to improve the success rates of the procedure. Herein, many fitness enthusiast patients have the main query of whether they can exercise during the IVF cycle. Staying active is indeed important for our physical health while it can also improve the rates of conception. However, there are certain specific guidelines about exercising recommended by medical professionals that you must follow to maintain the effectiveness of the IVF treatment. 

Tips To Follow While Exercising During IVF Treatment 


1. Contact the IVF specialist about the fitness routine: 
Before starting a fitness routine, it is always recommended to contact the IVF specialist to check whether those exercises are safe during IVF or not. Herein, the doctor can also advise you about the best exercises that you must perform and for how long to boost your overall health. 
 
High Impact VS low Impact Excercise

2. Always opt for low-impact exercises: 
If you choose exercise to be your main stress buster that also burns off your energy then always opt for low-impact exercises. In some cases, the doctor may also recommend to stop exercising and in such scenarios, you can indulge in gardening, reading, or meditation to relieve stress. Some of the other low-impact exercises that you can try during the procedure are- 
  • Yoga- One of the best exercises that you can do during IVF is yoga. The yoga poses will not only help you to reduce stress but also improve strength, flexibility, and balance. However, you must be careful while trying the poses and it is always advised to avoid any poses that put pressure on the abdomen.
  • Swimming- Swimming is another effective exercise that can tone your body while enabling you to burn calories. Indulge in a one-hour swimming session a few times a week to enjoy the benefits of cardio exercises. 
  • Pilates- Another easy and fun way to improve flexibility and strengthen your core during the IVF cycle is Pilates. You can modify these exercises as per your comfort and enjoy the gentle strength training. 
  • Walking- Walking is another easy activity that you can include in your daily lifestyle. You can indulge in a short walk every day to remain fit and the main benefit is that it has no side effects. 
3. Avoid exercising in some IVF stages:
There are certain stages during IVF when you must avoid exercising. Herein, you can consult the best infertility specialist in Siliguri to know about the stages when exercising can be harmful.
  • Egg retrieval- Your ovaries remain enlarged during the week of egg retrieval. Henceforth, it is advised to stop exercising this week as it can cause significant damage to the ovaries.
  • Embryo transfer- Exercising also must be avoided after the embryo is transferred into the uterus for implantation. It is advised to wait at least 2 weeks after this transfer to increase the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy. 
4. Don’t practice high-impact exercises: 
Another tip you must follow while considering exercise during IVF is that you must always avoid any high-impact exercises. This is because your ovaries are usually enlarged during IVF and any exercise that puts pressure on the abdomen can increase the chances of further complications. The exercises that must always be avoided in the IVF cycle are- 
  • Sports- To avoid the chances of injuries, accidents, and falls, it is always a better option to not play any contact sports during IVF. Some such sports are soccer, basketball, and football. 
  • Weight lifting- Heavy weightlifting including heavy abs crunches, squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses can cause strain in the abs which can be harmful for IVF success. 
  • High-Impact Exercises- Your uterus and ovaries undergo a lot of stress due to high-impact exercises. If you’re undergoing an IVF cycle then you have to stop intense cardio, jumping, or running. 
5. Never push your limits and take regular breaks: 
During IVF, it is crucial for you to exercise while considering your comfort zone. You should never push your limits and avoid trying any exercises that your body is not permitting. No matter how physically fit you were before the IVF cycle, you must always select the frequency, duration, and type of exercise carefully. 

Herein, you must note that you must listen to your body and if you feel tired while exercising then you must take regular breaks. Fatigue is a normal complication you may experience during an IVF cycle due to hormonal irregularities and to avoid this condition from worsening you must take time to hydrate yourself and breathe in between workouts. 
 

6. Try to reduce the exercise timings: 
To ensure high chances of IVF success, you must wisely develop an exercise routine. It is recommended by medical professionals that 30 minutes of exercise is enough during an IVF cycle. Herein, you must perform the exercise regimen 2-3 times a week to avoid overstressing your body.

Key Advantages Of Exercise During The IVF Cycle 
Complete bed rest is never advised during the IVF cycle as it can make you inactive with a sedentary lifestyle. To improve the success rates of the treatment, the doctor always encourages people to indulge in mild exercising. Some of the benefits of exercise that you can attain through mild exercising are- 
  • Enhanced insulin sensitivity 
  • Improved emotional well-being 
  • Reduced stress 
  • Increased blood circulation 
  • Hormonal balance  
Visit the best IVF center in Siliguri today to get a specialized exercise program that has been developed considering your condition. Exercise can be quite beneficial during the IVF treatment but you must follow the guidelines of the doctor to stop exercise in compromising with IVF success. You must know if you exercise heavily and put extreme pressure on the body then you may suffer from ovarian torsion, dehydration, and injury which is definitely not good during the fertility treatment.  


Dr Priyankur Roy
Dr. Priyankur Roy

MBBS, MS, PGDMLS, PGDHHM, FIAOG

Dr. Priyankur Roy is a distinguished expert in Infertility Treatment and Gynae-Endoscopy. With advanced qualifications from Germany and the UK, he excels in providing high-quality medical care.

This blog is clinically verified by Dr. Priyankur Roy to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Read More Articles
Comments (0)
Your comments must be minimum 30 character.