Yoga during FET *all welcome*

[bonzo]

I have been finding so much conflicting information on what is safe for FET, so I thought I’d bring it to all of you. Grads, please feel free to chime in!

I practice yoga roughly 3 times a week currently. My FET info packet says only low-impact exercise from the start of Lupron until 7 week ultrasound. I asked my nurse if a gentle yoga practice would be ok, since it’s something I regularly do, is generally considered low-impact, and honestly it helps me mentally just as much as physically. She said it would be ok but she tends to be pretty conservative and prefers walking. I walk too, but I think the meditative aspect of yoga will be especially beneficial during the TWW, even if I’m not supposed to do all of the poses!

Info I have found on fertility yoga websites leads me to believe that avoiding anything that engages the ab muscles or pelvic floor should be fine. Also avoiding being on the stomach or twists. And of course no hot yoga, but I don’t like that anyway! I’m comfortable talking to my teachers and modifying, and would switch to the gentle or restorative classes anyway. 

So I guess I’m looking for some reassurance that what I have planned for the next 2 months or so sounds reasonable. Or if you have any other suggestions for modifications or things to avoid. Or more questions for my nurses. I want to be as safe as possible to make sure this FET has it’s best chance, but I also want to take care of myself! Thanks for any advice!

[teachermomtobe]

I did gentle yoga weekly and continued during IVF and my FET. I did modify a bit in ways you mentioned. I also liked a book called “Yoga and Fertility”. It showed poses for different parts of your cycle and talk about IVF. I am a big believer in yoga for mental health during the stress of IF.

[karabear]

SAIF lurker...

Particularly during a FET, I think you are fine. I would stay away from hot yoga for sure. But, since you aren’t stimming and risking any kind of ovarian torsion, I don’t see any reason that most poses wouldn’t be fine. I would 100% keep up with my regular practice from the start of lupron through transfer. There is nothing you can “hurt” during that time. And, you’re right, the meditative and stress relief benefits would be huge!

I would take a few days off after transfer. Then, I think you would be fine to go back to gentle yoga during the TWW or until the first ultrasound, whatever your comfort level is. I’m a huge believer is the mental health benefits of yoga, and I wish I had it as a tool when I was going through IVF. Fertile people continue to exercise and go about their daily lives after conception. Once the embryo has implanted, stretching and light exercise is not going to cause anything to happen to it. (I’m a PAL mom, so I 100% get all of the irrational fears.) But, you can always modify and not do the twists, core work or anything your feel is too strenuous. Good luck! 😊

[bonzo]

Aug 14, 2018 5:52:53 GMT -6 karabear said:

SAIF lurker...

Particularly during a FET, I think you are fine. I would stay away from hot yoga for sure. But, since you aren’t stimming and risking any kind of ovarian torsion, I don’t see any reason that most poses wouldn’t be fine. I would 100% keep up with my regular practice from the start of lupron through transfer. There is nothing you can “hurt” during that time. And, you’re right, the meditative and stress relief benefits would be huge!

I would take a few days off after transfer. Then, I think you would be fine to go back to gentle yoga during the TWW or until the first ultrasound, whatever your comfort level is. I’m a huge believer is the mental health benefits of yoga, and I wish I had it as a tool when I was going through IVF. Fertile people continue to exercise and go about their daily lives after conception. Once the embryo has implanted, stretching and light exercise is not going to cause anything to happen to it. (I’m a PAL mom, so I 100% get all of the irrational fears.) But, you can always modify and not do the twists, core work or anything your feel is too strenuous. Good luck! 😊

I didn’t think there was anything I could hurt before transfer! Maybe they’re trying to simplify some of the lifestyle changes all at once, since start of Lupron is when no raw fish/no alcohol/no unapproved meds kicks in. I don’t know, and I feel like I can’t get a straight answer from the nurse.

I feel like I’ll be fine until transfer, then take about a week off. Then, I’ll listen to my body and modify from there. 

[charliefox]

This is my first IVF so I can't speak from experience but I have heard that yoga is great because it's gentle while still increasing circulation. I also practice (just at home) and plan to do gentle stuff as long as I feel comfortable (avoiding twists etc) at the beginning of stims (then taking a break as my doc has it on the calendar lol) and then picking up again about a week after transfer as you mentioned. Waiting until 7 weeks makes no sense, your uterus should still be behind your pelvic bone for many weeks so really no modification would be necessary in early pregnancy.

[laurensc927]

Grad warning

I'm late to the party but I was cleared for gentle yoga during my last FET. I love yoga and was practicing regularly and didn't want to give it up. I did adjust some poses as if I was already pregnant so no twists, I also let the instructor know so they could let me know if I needed to modify. Good luck!