IVF and riding

[Alter3]

Posting as an alter, but I’m meeting with a fertility specialist today to get started on IVF. I don’t really know what to expect, but wanted to hear from those of you who have gone through IVF and how it affected your riding. Did you stop completely from the time treatment started throughout your pregnancy (if successful)?

How did you feel during the initial waiting period to see if it worked? If it worked, did you ride a trustworthy horse at all later in your pregnancy?

I have a steady-eddie type I’ve owned for several years who I’ve never come off of, he’s mr reliable. For the sake of my sanity, it’d be nice to know it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I could hack him around once in a while…flame suit zipped

[Loch_Kelpie]

I went through IVF (and three transfers). For me, considering the extremely limited number of opportunities to get pregnant compared to a normal woman and the great expense involved, I did not risk getting on any horse at any point. Even the most steady horse can stumble. The potential cost, even if chances of a disaster were low, was too high a potential price to pay when I could find ways to enjoy myself off a horse’s back. However, everyone is different and has different levels or kinds of risks they are willing to take. It’s up to you.

[atr]

My daughter in law gave up all forms of potentially risky exercise, including riding and running and going to the gym during her treatment and pregnancy, but she had already had 2 late term miscarriages so was extremely risk averse.

Wishing you the very best for a good outcome!

[teamfire]

Not from personal experience, but I know a lady. She was originally highly discouraged from riding during the process and she did stop for a great deal of time. But she did pick it up again around 2nd trimester, with her doctors ok. She kept riding for quite some time after before stopping again.

[Alter3]

Well, after the consultation I think I answered my own question! After hearing about the entire process I think I’ll be afraid to even workout, especially in the beginning :lol: @teamfire I could possibly see myself doing what your friend did, later in the pregnancy once the risks decreased.

Please tell me I won’t miss riding the way I feel like I will right now…and that it’ll fly by…

[Lucie_Too]

It will fly by, and your steady eddie will be waiting for you to get back on! Best of luck through this process. <3

[demidq]

You can still spend time at the barn getting your horse fix/aroma therapy!

[CatPS]

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[BeeHoney]

In the scheme of things, it’s a short period of time to not ride. There are a lot of people out there bragging about how they rode up until they delivered or whatever. My personal feeling is that it isn’t worth the risk, but I also realize that a lot of people have this bubble of denial around them where they just can’t believe that anything bad would happen to them or their baby. Obviously this “bubble” is an illusion–pregnant women do occasionally have falls or accidents and it’s a pretty darn stressful situation for all concerned.

When you dealing with infertility, have had a miscarriage, or are a complicated pregnancy, you don’t get to have that bubble–you already are used to things not going your way, or coping with and trying to minimize risks. You are in a different place emotionally, and that’s okay.

My own route to motherhood was not easy and I just want to say that although it is really tough when you are in the middle of it, you just need to hang in there.

[WildLittleWren]

My personal feeling was it wasn’t worth the risk. I didn’t do IVF but I did end up having complications with each pregnancy, so I wouldn’t have been able to ride, even if I wanted to. But I honestly wouldn’t have ridden even if I could. Now. I WAS up on a horse 6 weeks after having each of my children! Good luck and sending baby dust your way! I am now “fixed”, haha, so I have no need for it.

[RMJacobs]

I didn’t have a horse when I decided to get pregnant, but I was a long distance cyclist. I quit riding my bike altogether for the entire pregnancy. I biked on Los Angeles streets and had close calls with cars way too often. I was nearly 35 when I started trying to get pregnant, and I didn’t want to add to the risk. I went back to it after the baby was born. Sure, I missed it a lot, but I also had a problem-free pregnancy.

Rebecca

[emipou]

We were strongly considering IVF for a few years. The conversation did come up with DH once - riding and pregnancy.

I think if it were just a natural birth, I would be more inclined to ride a little while into it, but IVF is so expensive and there is so much work that goes into trying to create that life. I don’t think I would risk it. Personally. this is a personal thing for each person for sure .

[candyappy]

@Alter3

Well, after the consultation I think I answered my own question! After hearing about the entire process I think I’ll be afraid to even workout, especially in the beginning :lol: @teamfire I could possibly see myself doing what your friend did, later in the pregnancy once the risks decreased.

Please tell me I won’t miss riding the way I feel like I will right now…and that it’ll fly by…

If you stop now I would opt to just stay out of the saddle until after the baby is born. I did ride all through my first pregnancy but I never stopped and I wasn’t high risk. A few months off to ensure the safety of you and the baby is well worth it.

Your horse won’t mind either

[Tyrus_Mom]

I did IVF 3x that didn’t work, however, the only two times I grew eggs was when I was exercising like a maniac. If you have trouble growing eggs I have this advice for you: exercise, ride, run, go to the gym, do everything you can do to stimulate blood flow 2-3x a day. Blood flow from exercise can help you grow the best eggs you can.

After you are pregnant I say don’t take any chances. I know there are some people who ride during pregnancy, but I wouldn’t advise it just because horses can be unpredictable. You will go through hell and back with the hormone treatment, (they pump you with so many hormones they definitely affect your emotions and I had to apologize to my husband a couple of times for going off the deep end on him when the hormones made me utterly irrational.) Also the expense is tremendous, and the emotional letdown for a miscarriage would be horrible.

Good Luck!

[chai]

Alter3, I think you are making a wise decision. My late sister became pregnant with triplets through IVF. In the middle of her first trimester, she tripped over the neighbor’s dog and broke her ankle. But even worse, she lost one of the triplets. I rode through my 8th month with my first baby but when I took one look at my newborn and really realized what I had risked, I never rode again when pregnant.
I wish you all the best as you go through IVF!