Swimming?

After the transfer yesterday, the nurse went over a set of instructions for me to follow for the next 12 days.  Among them are some expected restrictions: no high-impact exercise, limit caffeine intake, do not take ibuprofen, etc.  One she called out specifically was to shower rather than bath for the first week after transfer.  Given my affinity for long, hot baths this was disappointing to hear.  

As we talked about our plans for the upcoming weekend (4th of July weekend) I started wondering whether swimming would be allowable.  If bathing was a non-preferred activity, I couldn't imagine that swimming would be ideal.  A quick Google search indicated that swimming was not advised in the week following an embryo transfer.  Since we had accepted invitations to swim at Des Moines Golf with my parents (who are not aware that we have begun our final IVF journey) on Saturday and Monday I was feeling very anxious.  

So Saturday morning I called Mid-Iowa Fertility to ask about going swimming.  I spoke with Karen (who I have communicated with often) and she said swimming in chlorinated water is fine.  The risk of bacteria in the water causing an infection is much higher in lake and river water, but since these levels are monitored at public pools, chlorinated water is allowable.  I still played it safe and didn't get all the way in (I mostly chased Elsie around the splash pad and wading pool), but I didn't stress about making sure that not a drop of water was near my swimsuit bottoms.  

There are so many things that can cause concern during an IVF cycle and the two-week wait.  This could be the first of many, but it turned out to be a non-issue.  And we were able to enjoy the long weekend with many family and swimming events!