To yoga or not to yoga?

[Anonymous]

Question: I've been taking a weekly Level 1 yoga class for the past year. I love it and find it very relaxing. I'm at the beginning of my first IVF cycle and I'm starting to worry about what exercise I should be doing vs. what I should table for now. I should have my retrieval this week and my transfer next week.

Should I continue with the yoga? Or just stop for now and wait to see if this cycle works or not?

What are some exercise guidelines for during an IVF cycle and after a BFP?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It depends on what yoga you are doing. If it's very energetic like Vinyasa, I would stop. If it's something like Hatha, then you can continue it until the transfer. I would not do anything after the transfer (may be just short walks only). Good luck with the IVF!

[Anonymous]

I do Iyengar yoga and here is what I did during IVF. First, I talked to my teacher. Given how swollen your ovaries become during stimulation, there are certain poses that you need to either stay away from or modify (e.g., deep twists). I continued to attend class up until retrieval, but then stayed away after until my Beta at my teacher's recommendation (she used to teach yoga at Shady Grove, so had a good sense of what was safe/not). There were a few very gentle restorative poses she gave me to do at home during the two week wait. Good Luck!

[woodyanita]

Yoga during pregnancy is good but should be done under the supervision of an expert and after the permission of your doctor. All the best for your IVF Cycle.

[Anonymous]

I did yoga a few years ago but stopped when I was TTC (not because I was TTC but because I was too busy). I started going again before and during my IVF cycle that ended up being the lucky one. I did not go after my transfer. I think it helped me get in a good frame of mind and it was really therapeutic to get some good exercise and relax a little. I was going to Hot Yoga (vinyasa in a heated room, not bikram).

[Anonymous]

Keep doing it. So good for you mentally and physically. Crow pose is good for fertility too Definitely helped me during my difficulties and its so low impact. Drs will also tell you as long as you did it bf you got pregnant you can keep enjoying it during your pregnancy as long as you are comfortable. Good luck.