I guess my next logical post is to explain how I got myself into this situation, especially since it was not the norm. As you can tell from the title of this post, we conceived via IVF and were fortunate (very fortunate) to be successful on the first cycle. To put it in perspective, women age 35 to 37 have a 30% chance of a live birth per cycle. For women under 35, it’s 40%. Like my sister-in-law told me, someone has to be that 30%. We are lucky to be included in that percentage.
I don’t want the focus of this post to be infertility. Yes, we had fertility issues but I was able to get pregnant in less than a year. I don’t consider it a struggle, compared to others. This will be the only time I mention it on the blog because, in my mind, how I got pregnant is irrelevant at this point. What is important is that I am pregnant.
So why am I writing this post? Running, of course. When I knew we had to go through IVF and I was told I couldn’t run, the stubbornness in me Googled “IVF and running”. I didn’t find much information, considering exercise is contraindicated while going through IVF. But the thought of not running for a month plus, during an incredibly stressful time, was unfathomable. I am writing this post to document what I did during each stage, in hopes that it will provide information to others – with one caveat. This is what I did and sometimes it was against the advice of my doctor. If you are going through IVF, please consult your doctor, listen to your body, and use common sense before you consider lacing up your shoes for a run.
A brief background first. After trying for 6 months unsuccessfully, we were referred to a fertility clinic. Numerous tests later, we found out that our only way to conceive was IVF. Skip Clomid, IUI, and proceed directly to the end of the line. It was devastating news but luckily I have a husband who sees the glass as half full.
Knowing that I was about to go through something completely out of my control, I felt the need to control something. Enter my self-proclaimed quasi-training during the months of January to March. I was coming off the Rehoboth Beach Marathon and pretty much kept going, running 40-50 miles per week. Many of you asked me which marathon I was training for – or secretly training for – but the truth is I was training for IVF. I figured quasi-training would serve me well. Either I would enter pregnancy in the best shape of my life or, if the first cycle failed, I could easily start back up again and train for a Fall marathon (which would have been Steamtown – I’m actually registered for it!).
Finally – to the point of this post! I’ll break down each stage of IVF (as I see it), describe it briefly, and describe how my running was affected.
3 weeks of BCPs
Looking back this was the “honeymoon” phase of IVF. 3 weeks of birth control pills – piece of cake. I could run as much as I wanted so I kept my mileage between 40-50 and squeezed in a few solid long runs of 18 and 20 miles. I do know that some IVF protocols start Lupron injections towards the end of BCPs but my protocol did not.
Stimulation phase
Let the injections begin! I began injections with Follistim and Menopur on March 28th. The point of this stage is to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. I was on stimulation meds for 12 days (adding Ganirelix to the mix towards the end to prevent ovulation). The ballpark range for stimulation is 7 to 14 days but that all depends on how you progress. My progression was very gradual – meaning my ovaries didn’t grow to the size of grapefruits overnight! When your follicles are roughly 16-20mm in size (measured via numerous vaginal ultrasounds), ovulation is triggered with a big dose of hCG.
Running (or any exercise other than walking) is contraindicated during this phase for good reason. Ovarian torsion is a very real threat once your ovaries start to swell with follicles. The size and weight of your swollen ovaries can cause them to flip and cut off their own blood supply. You can imagine how any high impact exercise or any exercise with excessive bending and twisting (yoga) could increase your chances of ovarian torsion.
So instead of running, I walked…30 miles a week! The fertility clinic’s version of walking was a “nice post-dinner stroll with your husband”. My version of walking was a balls-to-the-wall sub-15:00 pace…multiplied by 30 miles. One day a nurse told me I was doing too much – I knew I wasn’t – I politely said “OK”. I never felt any cramping (a sign that you are doing too much) and, even though it sucked to not be running, it was better than nothing. I even did long weekend walks – 4 miles in the AM and 5 miles in the PM. Like I said, I’m stubborn as hell. I could not sit around and wait…or curl up with a book or movie (which was suggested to me numerous times).
Egg retrieval
This was hands down the worst part of IVF. 36 hours after you receive your injection of hCG, your eggs are retrieved by passing a needle through your vaginal wall. If it sounds painful, it was. You are under anesthesia and the procedure is quick. It’s the aftermath that is the worst. I felt like someone took a shovel to my torso and beat me up and down. And the bloating. Oh the bloating. I wish someone would have told me I would have looked 5 months pregnant. After your eggs are retrieved (and they retrieved 25 eggs from me – a huge amount), your follicles fill back up with fluid, causing excessive bloating. The only way to get rid of the bloating is to drink and eat excessive amounts of salt. I was eating table salt and washing it down with Gatorade. It was unreal. The soreness and bloating subsided after a few days.
I did run the 3 days after my egg retrieval (4 to 6 miles). And, if I had to do it all over again, I would not run. My ovaries were still very swollen and I could have risked ovarian torsion. It was completely stupid (and, again, stubborn) on my part. I should have stuck with walking.
Embryo transfer
This was definitely the most exciting day! After retrieval, your eggs are fertilized – love in a petri dish! Depending on how the embryo(s) are progressing, they are transferred back on Day 3 or Day 5. I had a Day 3 transfer. The transfer process is quick, painless, and does not require any anesthesia. With the help of an ultrasound the embryos are guided and placed into your uterus, with the hopes that one embryo (or more) will implant and result in pregnancy. After the transfer procedure was complete, I was on bed rest for 24 hours.
I ran the morning before my embryo transfer, just to ease my nerves and relax. The day after the transfer (after 24 hours bed rest) I walked 7 miles. I know this sounds insane to some people. Why couldn’t I just relax? Was I worried about interfering with the (possible) implantation process? I wasn’t. I know many of you can agree with me that, as runners, we are hyperaware and in tune with our bodies. I know when to push, when to pull back, and when to call it a day. I know immediately if something is off. I felt fantastic and didn’t feel like I was overtaxing myself. I just went with my gut.
The 2-week wait
The most stressful part…waiting to see if you are pregnant. After your transfer, you wait 2 weeks and return to the clinic for a blood draw to see if you are pregnant. The first week went by pretty fast and without much stress but the second week was awful. My blood test was scheduled for a Friday but Matt and I caved on Wednesday and took a home pregnancy test. Technically you’re not supposed to take a home pregnancy test due to the high rate of false positives (the hCG trigger shot you administered before retrieval can trigger a false reading). BUT, I knew the hCG was out of my system and this was the real deal. Three tests (1 good one and 2 cheapies) – all very positive!!! The relief, excitement, and sheer joy that we felt was (and still is) unexplainable.
I was told not to run during the 2-week wait. I followed that rule for about a week (continued my balls-to-the-wall walking) and then I began running again. I actually got the call from the nurse that I was pregnant while I was out running 
Was I putting myself at harm or putting the baby at harm by running so soon (and against medical advice)? No, not in my mind. Again, I felt incredible and running made me feel even better. Obviously, I would have stopped at the first sign that something was wrong.
And…I’ve been running every since. And I plan to continue to run for as long as I’m able.
If you’re wondering, I’m not having twins! At 6 weeks, they confirmed the presence of 1 baby, not 2!
If you have any questions, I’m more than happy to answer them through email. Again, this is what I did. You may feel differently. Always consult with your doctor and do what makes sense.
Unrelated bump shot – 11 weeks vs. 13 weeks.
I had a runner friend who did IVF and she didn’t run during the process and seeing how physically taxing the whole thing was on her makes me kind of shocked to hear how much you were still doing.
Do you think if the first round of IVF hadn’t worked would you have followed the rules more precisely the second time? Just wondering 🙂
I had a runner friend who did IVF and she didn’t run during the process and seeing how physically taxing the whole thing was on her makes me kind of shocked to hear how much you were still doing.
Do you think if the first round of IVF hadn’t worked would you have followed the rules more precisely the second time? Just wondering 🙂
I continued to run some during my cycles, I had wished I had doctors who were runners and understood the benefits of running during a time like this. Like you, I listened to my body and I agree that we all know what is right. We also caved and took pregnancy tests early too 🙂 Seriously, how do they expect you not to?! Congrats again, your bump pictures are so cute!
Wow, glad to hear your first round was successful! That is some impressive walking you did. I have non running friends that have had IVF or just had difficulty conceiving and I can’t imagine playing the waiting game without burning off stress through exercise (since get, you can’t have a glass of wine either)- especially when it takes multiple cycles! The idea of curling up with a book or movie would make me restless and not take my mind off of things. I see the risk in running while your ovaries are swollen and right near the transfer, but it does seem like at the other times SOME non-zero amount of exercise could be recommended and beneficial (physically, psychologically). Ladies can do stuff now!
Thank you so much for posting. I am going to share this with a good friend of mine. I can’t express how happy and excited I am for both you and Matt and also for big brother, Hawk. You are going to be such a wonderful mother. OH, and I’m planning on doing a mud run in Philly. Perhaps we can meet up?
I forgot to add: you look absolutely beautiful and perfect. You’re glowing.
I have a good friend who is 8 weeks along right now after two rounds of IVF. Her journey sounded just like yours! And she is now enjoying her runs again. I hope it’s an easy, smooth journey the rest of the way for you!
Oh and I can’t believe you had 25 eggs at your retrieval – that’s crazy! No wonder you had such awful bloating!
Thank you for sharing your story. The good news is that you are pregnant and I wish you the very best!
Again I am SUPER excited for you guys! Thanks for sharing such a personal story- your blog continues to be AWESOME!
Unrelated (but easy) question, and maybe there is post about this somewhere that you could direct me to- what do you with your stuff when you are out for a run- I am thinking keys, cell, etc. I think mainly keys, as i don’t suspect I’d need anything else when i finally ripped myself from the couch and begin walking first (and perhaps running one day).
Thanks so much! And rock on with the pregnancy and running!
Thanks so much for this post. I feel like our stories are very, very similar. I have already started the BCP and start shots the middle of this month. I am used to logging 40-60 miles a week (have recently cut back to about 30) and your story makes me feel much better about everything. Congratulations!
That’s so wonderful that you got pregnant after just one round! Again, I’m so happy for you! Now you’re back to thoroughly enjoying your running–and your pregnancy.
I admittedly know little about IVF, so I find this incredibly interesting from that perspective alone. I’m so happy for you both that you were able to get pregnant in the first cycle. I can’t even imagine what a relief that must’ve been for you.
It’s hard to say what I would’ve done had I been in the same situation (especially since it’s a nerve-wracking time…I can’t imagine not exercising to blow off all that stress!), but I think it’s very important that you share your story. It’s good to hear another perspective, especially because there is just not a lot of research in this area (and in fertility/pregnancy + higher intensity/levels of exercise in general).
And you look great! Keep the photos coming 🙂
such an interesting post, Kristy! I had no idea what the IVF process was like and how many steps there were. And how your activity can effect the happenings in the body during the whole cycle. So great that it worked for you the first time around! And that you’re able to run again now 🙂 Also WHERE IS THE BUMP? haha.
I am so happy for you! I’m very glad you shared the story and the caveats you added to it. I hope you are able to continue enjoying running while pregnant! Congrats!
thank you for being so honest with your story and experience. it’s really inspiring that you have been so intuitive with your body and its needs and i had to laugh a little at the power walking.
First of all, a huge congrats on your pregnancy! I really admire the fact that you listened to your body! I never understood why the 2ww would be any different in an IVF cycle than a normal cycle in regards to running — so the recommendation to not run never made sense to me.
I’ve had a couple runner friends go through IVF and they didn’t run AT ALL during their pregnancies b/c it’s what the doctor recommended. And they both were pretty miserable. Going through infertility — and even pregnancy — is such a stressful time that I feel like the recommendation to not run (except for during the stimulation and retrieval phases) could actually be harmful. I was too scared to run after getting my positive test, but my RE told me I had to get back out there or I’d lose my mind. She was right.
Great post — thanks so much for sharing!
Wow!!! I am so happy for you. So excited to follow you along during your pregnancy!
And we’re on month 5 of Clomid. Next step is more fertility testing! The upside to all this, though, is obviously I KNOW I can get pregnant (hi, Alice!) but now it’s the “why isn’t it happening for round two?” question that needs to be answered.
Keep up the running in your pregnancy. I will do my second pregnancy much differently with more running than I did with Alice (my OB used scare tactics) and I will continue to Crossfit, too. Fingers crossed I’m right behind you with getting PG!
Thanks for sharing your story. Very interesting and i’m soo excited for you!! My husband and i are trying to get pregnant, i hope we will be soon successful as well.
Thank you for this post! I have so many questions and can’t find any good resources…I’m seven weeks away from a marathon and training is going great, but I just found out my IVF cycle timeline and my transfer will be about 10 days before race day. I really appreciate having your thoughts and story. Still not sure how I will handle it yet.
Funny that I came across your post after googling “IVF and running”, just like you did! We have our transfer Sunday, which is day 5. I am not one to sit down and like you said, being a runner, we are very in tuned with our bodies. I haven’t run but I did take a barre class and plan to do “balls to the wall” walking like you did! I hope we have 1st time success like you and your husband. Good luck with your journey!
Can I ask if you remember having really bad cramping after the transfer? I am trying to keep up walking and would love to start running again next week, but I can’t imagine doing that with these cramps. I’m hoping they don’t last much longer! We had our 5 day transfer 2 days ago, one embryo, that was AA quality. Just thought I’d ask a fellow IVF/Runner!
Thanks!
I’m currently undergoing the beginning process of IVF. Started my injections yesterday. Today is day 4. I’m also a Marathon runner and I find it hard not to run. I’ve heard different people say to stop running and others say keep going. It just feels natural to me and it relieves my stress. I have mixed feelings..I don’t know if I should stop or keep running up to the IVF. I definitely will stop after the procedure and embryo transfer but for now I want to keep going. I don’t know what to do because I also don’t want to risk it but at the same time my body is telling me it needs to keep running and I’ve also heard that its good for blood flow (that’s what my acupuncturist said. Anyone else in the same boat…what are you doing…? Keep running or stop?
I must admit, I googled “Running and IVF” and came across this as well. I’m glad I’m not the only neurotic runner out there. I started IVF this week, and on day one, ran 7 miles, but have decided to walk and use elliptical for now. I’m 38 years old and time is no longer on my side, so I won’t err on the side of caution. I simply don’t want to “push” my luck with this cycle.
I ran my last marathon two years ago (the Boston), and my husband and I decided to try for a baby after that. When I trained for marathons my period stopped. I had not had a cycle in over three years, so I had to scale way, way back on running and put on about 10 pounds (ugh!). The period came back, but still not pregnancy. Ugh! After many tests, it was determined that it was my husband with a low sperm count. Now we just started this IVF cycle. I’m sadden that I’ve missed out the past couple years of marathons, and people keep asking why. I keep coming up with excuses.
Thanks for your insight! I’m happy I found this blog, and I hope to be running again soon.
Melissa, our stories are SO similar! My RE told me to scale back my running to no more than 10 miles per week… that was over a year ago. I begrudgingly followed the advice, gained 15lbs! and am still not pregnant. I did a 7 mile run this morning, which is day 1 of the injections. I had to beg my RE to give me permission to do YOGA! Are you kidding me!? I don’t think you can understand unless you’re a runner. I said the exact same thing, “you want me to sit around, not exercise, and wait patiently!? NO WAY.” I am so thankful for this blog post and to read all of the other comments. The doctor looked at me like I was a complete nut because I couldn’t fathom not running for the next 9 months! Hoping for successful rounds for all who have posted and all who are yet to come 🙂
I am starting IVF for the first time tomorrow. I.e., the injections and been googling exercise and IVF and came across your blog. Congratulations on your baby and hopefully DH and I have the same luck in conceiving first time. Being trying to find out about acceptable exercises during IVF and will stick to long walks instead as opposed to just doing nothing. My normal mode are exercise classes like body pump and running and using a Personal Trainer. I think swimming is also ok during the period. Does anyone know? Can always ramp up to normal exercise after a positive result! Good luck everyone!
Oh my gosh, stumbling on your blog may have just saved my life!
We are going through IVF, having embryo transfer tomorrow. Our process started on the 1st May, with a 41 day ‘down regulation’ before starting stims. I ran through down reg. but didn’t on stims and am loosing the plot!
I too have run for years, am a triathlete and ran the London marathon in April 2013. I also did a final 10k the weekend before we started stims.
I’ve become insanely jealous of my hubby running as we are in this together but he gets to keep going and I know it sounds selfish but that sucks!
I shall be reading your other posts because I think I need to hear someone like me, thank you!
After tonight’s sub standard 4 mile walk, I’m going to run tomorrow before ET :-).
Thank you x
I also stumbled upon your blog and thank you for it! I am not undergoing IVF for myself, but I’m doing an egg donation and my retrieval is this Wednesday. I am also a runner and this has been a huge struggle for me. I hate to admit it but I have been running all throughout, even though I know it’s really stupid of me to do so. But I’m already struggling with the bloating and hormonal changes, and I know not running would make it even worse mentally for me so I have been taking the chance. I agree with some of the above comments- I wish the doctors were all runners so they could understand why its so hard to take off. I’m terrified of the retrieval on Wednesday and the bloating afterwards. I really hope it goes down quick! 🙁
Thanks for your blog!
Hi Katy,
Don’t be scared of egg retrieval, it’s fine, you’ll be fine. X
Thank you for writing this blog. Like many others I also found it by googling IVF and running. I am in the midst of an IVF cycle, now the day after embryo transfer, and have been struggling with not being able to do what I am used to doing. My doctor gave me no restrictions until after the transfer. I found that I was able to train as usual until about day 6 of the stims when on about mile 7 of 11 I started feeling painful twinges from my huge ovaries! At that point, I had to slow down. My egg retrieval was not as easy as I had hoped – I had a lot of pain and bloating and was not able to go back to work as soon as I had planned. I also had several ovarian cysts drained at the same time, so maybe that contributed.
Post-transfer I was told no running or significant lifting, but I can do other things as long as HR is below 140. I specifically asked and was told I could walk as far as I wanted, all that mattered was the HR. I went out walking 4 miles today, not even very fast, and am still feeling discomfort. So we will see how it goes. Hopefully, things will keep getting better and I will be pregnant at the end of the 2WW. Good luck to everyone else out there going through this!
Hi!Thank you for this sincere post. I’ve been searching for some extra information about IVF and running but it seems that it’s kind of underrated issue at least in my country-Poland. It is considered that women going through IVF need to be glued to their beds and enjoy the spiritual moment of endless waiting to be included to the lucky 30 % of future parents.
I’ve been a runner and overally active person for years. I’m 36 and right now I’m 3 days after my first transfer. I was running during stimulation, maybe less but still. The day after the puncture I couldn’t bear the tension and did 8 km which wasn’t very sane. Now I haven’t runned since the stimulation and Gosh it’s been a nightmare! Stress which was always relieved after running now is taking over. I have to wait one week for my beta test but I’m not sure if I can manage it without running.
I’m glad that I found this post now I don’t feel like a crazy running freak placing her inner needs over the pregnancy itself.
Since the post is from the last you must be a happy mum now.
Regards,
Honorata
Just came across your blog whilst looking for information about running/cycling during ivf process. I don’t run as far in a week as you but I do compete in an event a month (10ks, triathlons and cycling sportives) – well did, last one was in Sept and I started my treatment the week after! I start injections weds and I am genuinely really thankful for you honest insight into the egg retrieval aftermath!! As much as i would love to be able ro go for walks instead, I think I may have to stick to my Nike plus program, time just wont be on my side as I work full time as a teacher and don’t get home until 6ish. Will go for walks once am off work following egg retrieval and embryo transfer (very kind headtecher plus half term) otherwise I will go stir crazy! I’m hoping to be in that 40%…have prepared my body and mind well enough!
Thanks for sharing and hope all is well x
Kristy, your article is awesome! He made me laugh a few times and I can so understand your feeling! Just had my ET yesterday and went for a long fast walk this morning and one “granny style” indoor bike ride this afternoon. I’ll miss my usual 10k run in morning but I’m confident I can go back running once my pregnancy is confirmed (Cross fingers).
Thanks for posting. Three days post transfer and I am feeling anxious about the FET and not being able to run off my stress, so it was really helpful to read your article. My doctor said that excepting the first day, I should run if I feel able, it won’t change the outcome. So, I am going to put my trainers on and hope for the best.
Am posting again because I found this blog so helpful. Sadly, my first round of IVF that occurred with my last post did not work. I took a month and a half off and then did an FET cycle. During that cycle I was training for and set a PR in the half marathon. I was doing Lupron at the time of the race and had just started estrogen the night before, but had not started progesterone yet. It was probably the best race I have ever had. The hormones subsequently made me feel a bit dizzy, so I had to back down on training. I continued to just do what was comfortable after the FET and kept my HR below 140 for two weeks as directed. Thankfully, the FET worked and I am now in my 2nd trimester. I am feeling great after a rough 1st trimester, and am planning on doing a slow half marathon with a friend just for fun in a couple of weeks. This will probably be my last race for awhile but am planning to stay active as much as possible as I get bigger – cycling, yoga, weights as needed. Anyway, I hope this is helpful for someone out there – stay hopeful and know that it is possible to have success with IVF and stay active and keep your sanity. Good luck!
Thanks so much for your post! I was freaking out about this too, as I go in on 1st July and the idea of doing no exercise sucks! I also feel 100 times better when I exercise. My husband says I’m the most energetic person I know, so I literally log anywhere between 90 minutes to 3 hours of exercise a day!
Thanks for the post, Maybe that’s the reason why my sister had a failed IVF during their first try. She’s a gym instructor and maybe to much work affects the success rate her IVF treatment. Now she will have her 2nd try and I should tell this to her and confirm it her doctor.
Hi, i am 42 on the first cycle of IVF. Thank you Kristi and all these responses. I realize I am not alone.
I am an avid slow runner (~10 miles a week at most) , not to the degree of marathons and such, but I love to exercise- cycling and swimming as well. I blame the meds for making me sleep in this morning and now trying to figure out what sort of evening exercise I should do. I was feeling like I could muster a slow jog, but after reading all the responses and this blog, i realize I should walk briskly, given the IVF success rate is even lower for women my age!
This blog could have been my own! I did everything you did. I even ran before the egg retrieval at the risk of ovarian torsion! I run 35 to 40 miles per week. I’m waiting for results today, haven’t run in 2 weeks and it’s killing me. I’m running today. I don’t care. I have to!
Did you take any fertility supplements? Or fertility diet? Trying to see if you have any advice or pointers for the IVF process.
Thanks so much for this post – I know it’s a couple years old. It’s been so hard not running (30-40miles/week). I switched to swimming during all the injections and just want to run. Had my retrieval today and figured I could start to take it easy later in the week. The two week wait I’m guessing will be the hardest. Thanks again
I’m so happy your wrote this. I’m a runner as well but even more so, a swimmer. They just did my retreival and I have implantation this week. I’ve been trying to be a good patient and have been walking about 30 miles per week at a fast pace on a steep incline. The dr. Said no to swimming bc if ovarian torsion. It’s killing me and I look 6 months pregnant!!! Did anyone swim (by swimming I mean masters swim classes) after retreival?
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS. I just finished my first marathon and after 2 weeks to recover (my feet were in shambles), I started running again as if I were “training” for a half-marathon. I did this in part b/c I knew I would be required to not run for 2 weeks during the stim/retrieval period. If I hadn’t read this, I probably would have risked running during both, because I, like you, am stubborn as hell and the notion of not running at all is tying me into knots.
It is amazing how we all empower each other by being sincere and sharing our experiences. I went through the IVF extraction myself 5 days ago and I was told not to exercise or run for two week. The first thee days I agreed with the doctor’s advice, but after day three my body told me the opposite. On day three I started with mild exercise and continued through day four and I believe that day four can be the starting of my running again. I feel excited like a child. That bloated bump it is not pretty! It has gone away considerably from day one, but it is still there.
Time to put my running shoes back on.
Best luck to everyone of you! You are not alone!
You have no idea how happy I was to come across your blog last year. I’m a very keen & competitve runner & was told we couldn’t have kids unless we went through IVF. Whilst going through it, all the medical professionals told me to stop running, but never gave me a reason why. I needed to carry on running for my sanity!
I completely listened to my body & ended up running pretty much throughout the whole process (other than a couple of weeks around egg collection & a week after embryo transfer). But, it was reading your blog that gave me the confidence to do that & not question myself. Nobody knows my body better than I do & just reading that you had been through it too really helped, thank you!
We were also very fortunate it worked first time (I’m sure being fit, healthy & not putting any pressure on yourselves has a lot to do with it) & now have a beautiful baby son 🙂 xx