What is Allowed, and What Do I Need to Avoid, While I’m Going Through Fertility Treatments?

There is so much out there about what is and isn’t OK for people to do while receiving fertility treatments or during pregnancy. Part of the problem is that clinical data is limited in this population. Your care team and OB-GYN (if pregnant) should be your primary source of the latest information, but here are a few of the things you may wonder about:

Acupuncture

If you would like to have acupuncture while in treatment, we recommend seeing practitioners who specialize in fertility acupuncture like the team at our in-house Wellness Center. The studies on acupuncture before and after embryo transfer or during any fertility treatment show mixed results on improving success rates, but studies indicate that treatments help mitigate stress and anxiety. 

If you are interested in getting acupuncture after becoming pregnant, check with your OB/GYN.

Alcohol

We suggest that you limit it to an occasional drink during treatment and avoid drinking alcohol once you are pregnant. 

CBD

We recommend not using CBD products of any kind during fertility treatment or early pregnancy.

Coffee/Caffeine

Limit caffeinated beverages to two 8 oz caffeinated beverages per day (or less than approximately 150-200mg caffeine) during treatment and when pregnant.

Cheese/Dairy

Pasteurized cheese and dairy is fine while in treatment and during pregnancy. Avoiding unpasteurized dairy limits your risk of foodborne illness.

Dentistry

If you are pregnant, you can receive Novocaine without epinephrine during dental treatment. There are no restrictions if you are in treatment and not yet pregnant.

Exercise

Refer to the full Boston IVF exercise guidelines that are based on the current literature but here are some helpful guidelines:

Continuing exercise that you already routinely do is generally OK after IUI/sex/frozen embryo transfer. The major restrictions are after an IVF stimulation cycle and egg retrieval, as this stimulation causes your ovaries to enlarge. This increases risk of ovarian torsion (when your ovary twists on its own blood supply, causing severe pain and ovarian tissue damage) so we advise NO high impact exercise such as running, HIIT, aerobics, etc. during treatment. Walking is OK and recommended if you feel up to it!

Fish/Sushi

We recommend avoiding uncooked fish and fish with high levels of mercury during treatment and pregnancy. In general, fish contains many nutrients which are important for pregnant women so if it’s cooked and low in mercury, eat up!

Hair Care

The data on the effect of hair dye on IVF or pregnancy is limited. We recommend that you wait until the second trimester, or check with your OB/GYN once you are pregnant.

Heating Pads

A heating pad on a low setting is a great comfort option during treatment. 

Lifting

Avoid strenuous lifting while in treatment or newly pregnant. If you have other young children at home, it is fine to lift them as normal.

Medications

You should have a discussion with your Boston IVF physician about all medications that you currently take prior to starting treatment, but typically you can remain on most medications unless specifically asked to stop.

Massage

Massage can be a great stress reliever, so go ahead and schedule one. Just let the therapist know that you are in treatment or pregnant beforehand (or look for gentle or prenatal options).

Nail Care

There are no clear restrictions on manicures and pedicures while in treatment or pregnant, but we recommend you go somewhere with good ventilation.

Sauna

Avoid saunas during treatment and once pregnant.

Sex

We advise that you abstain from sex or use condoms during your treatment cycle until a pregnancy test during any IVF/embryo transfer cycle (including frozen embryo transfers) and before an IUI. This is to avoid a high-risk multiple gestation pregnancy from a concurrent natural conception.

For an IUI cycle, you can have unprotected sex the day of your IUI and after but this is not necessary for cycle success. 

Shots

We strongly recommend the flu shot for all of our patients during treatment or after becoming pregnant, as pregnant individuals can get very sick with the flu. If your PCP has specifically recommended preservative free for you (this is rare), then you must get a preservative-free flu shot.

Swimming 

There are no restrictions on swimming in pools, lakes, or the ocean during treatment. You should avoid hot tubs during treatment and once pregnant.

Supplements

Herbal supplements are not controlled and therefore we do not recommend them. However, if you are on them, be sure to tell your doctor everything you are taking prior to testing/treatment. 

NOTE: If you are taking a biotin supplement (often a hair/nails supplement), please discontinue this at least 3 days (preferably 1 week) prior to blood tests, as this can interfere with results.

Travel

Make sure you speak to your care team about any travel plans or restrictions.