What to Do for Post IVF Fitness?

Here I sit nearing the end of my two week wait (the dreaded "2WW"), the mandatory waiting period after in vitro fertilization (IVF) where I get the pleasure of "taking it easy" and trying to "stay stress-free" while I sit tight and wait and see if I have achieved a BFP (big fat positive) or a BFN, where the F usually stands for another word. I hate to say it, but the thing I am missing the most - next to my evening glass of Merlot - is my exercise routine.

You know, that routine that took me months to buildand even longer to embrace. I have never been a health nut but one of the first things I read as we prepared to go down a less-than-traditional path towards pregnancy was that a healthy body weight and a normal BMI were significant factors in success. So, gym memberships were started and the quest to shed those final ten pounds began in earnest.

Mondays and Fridays used to equal Pilates. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays started as aerobics and a class called "muscle madness." (Ok, maybe it was something more benign, like "muscle toning." ) Once I figured out how to program my mp3 player I got more comfortable among the big boys on the nautilus equipment and elliptical machines and spent my midweeks there. I still had a few more pounds to go, but I really felt as if I was hitting my stride.

And then the day we had been waiting for finally arrived - the Transfer. And all strenuous activity had to cease. No jogging, no yoga, no Pilates, no running (and don't even think about an evening romp with your honey. uh unh. Not allowed either. At least not for a week or so). I thought I would savor my mandatory 24-hour bed rest post-transfer. How luxurious! You mean I just lay in bed and read magazines? How movie star! Well, that was fun for like, an hour.

Now when the alarm rings at 6 a.m., instead of jumping into sweats and walking down to the YMCA, I pop my morning dose of Prometrium (1 every six hours) and slip back to sleep. What happened to my will power? My resolve? My morning routine? I fear it to will slip away during this imposed chill time.

How strange to be told not to do anything too strenuous when you feel fantastic. How odd to have your husband grab the full teapot out of your hands (nothing heavier than 10 pounds!) when just two weeks ago you were spotting each other doing squats. How bizarre to read over and over again how staying fit is so great for the pregnant woman, but you, in your situation, actually need confirmation that you are indeed pregnant before resuming your fitness routine.

Midway through this two week wait, I started to get the blues. So I called my acupuncturist for advice: What can I do when I'm not allowed to do anything?? Her advice? Take a quiet walk, go get some air, breathe deep (while you can), and just recognize your body before it (hopefully) starts to undergo significant change. Stretch your limbs. Yawn. Be mindful. And again, walk.

Wonderful advice. And better yet, it actually worked to lift my spirits, even if I can't lift my weights.


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