A leading medical professional in Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF, Dr. Gautam Allahbadia provides fertility solutions to couples in need across the world. With more than 25 years of experience and also for his expertise in Ultrasound-Guided Embryo transfer, he is one of the most prominent faces in the Medically Assisted Reproduction department.
When it comes to exercise and regular workouts, they certainly have a positive impact on us physically as well as mentally. But when it comes to the IVF procedure, it is best to abstain from some exercises and divert a bit from your routine. Dr. Gautam Allahbadia, IVF expert offers five tips on exercising while undergoing the IVF treatment to ensure pregnancy and a safe journey.
- Work in your comfort zone
One of the foremost tips to be followed according to Dr. Gautam Allahbadia is to always work within one’s comfort zone and not to test physical limits when considering IVF.
If a person has not ever engaged in a strenuous exercise routine, prohibit from starting one before the IVF process begins. For patients who have always been highly active, it is advisable to continue the routine only during the early stages of IVF.
As the treatment advances forward (generally once injections begin), you ought to avoid high-impact and highly cardiovascular activities, as they will have a negative effect on your success rates.
- Avoiding high impact exercise
For many, it is frustrating to alter a long-standing exercise routine. However, it’s important that you just avoid it, says Dr. Gautam Allahbadia.
There are a number of reasons to try and do so. The most important reason because of which patients are asked to avoid high-impact exercises throughout the IVF treatment method is that it can result in ovarian torsion. Once undergoing IVF treatment, the ovaries become enlarged. With the impact of strenuous, aerobic exercises, comparable to running, it is attainable that the enlarged ovaries will become twisted, which might complicate the IVF treatment process.
Further, any serious falls or injuries to your abdomen during high-intensity exercises may compromise your reproductive health.
Dr. Gautam Allahbadia further adds, it is understandable that exercise is very important for a sane psychological state of mind for many of our patients. Due to this, we advise some modified styles of exercise which can be continued later too.
- Quit exercising completely during certain IVF stages
Dr. Gautam Allahbadia advises his patients to avoid exercise during the IVF cycle before eggs are retrieved and following embryo transfer for a minimum of 10 weeks into pregnancy. Physical exertion involving the large muscles within the arms and legs will draw blood away from the ovaries and uterus.He also urges people to always consult with the concerned doctor and follow a routine accordingly.
- Do not exercise for over four hours per week
Exercising for more than four hours a week may have a negative impact on your probabilities of IVF success, says Dr. Gautam Allahbadia.He also adds, make it a rule to not exercise for more than this duration of your time throughout IVF, and for even less time during the post-ET stage of treatment. Rather than 4 hour-long cardio sessions, arrange 3 thirty-minute sessions of a number of light exercises. Or, completely engage in relaxing activities such as meditation and breathing exercises.
- Focus on low-impact exercises that promote stress relief
As we have already gathered, during the IVF procedure it is best to avoid large bodily movements that take blood away from the ovaries and uterus. For this reason, Dr. Gautam Allahbadia recommends prohibiting high-intensity interval training, abdominal exercises like crunches, and heavy weight- lifting.
It is mostly recommended to engage in meditative activities which will help in making the IVF treatment successful and safe for all. Exercises such as light walking, prenatal yoga and light stretching should definitely be encouraged.