Post Egg Retrieval Movement Guide
Gentle movements to support your body’s natural healing process.
For all of these move so, so, so slowly, and move with your breath. This is not an exercise routine! Think of this as at home OMT. Treat your body the way I would: Gentle, slow, soft. These movements are designed to encourage blood and lymph flow.
If it hurts, stop. Only do these if you feel up for it.
Always check in with your doctor before starting any movement practice after your retrieval.
THE MOVEMENTS
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⟡ LYING DOWN
Take deep breaths all the way down into your pelvis. Let your whole belly rise and fall.
Even though it might not feel like much, deep breathing is one of the best things you can do — the diaphragm is essentially a giant pump, and it gets the blood moving right away.
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⟡ LYING ON BACK · KNEES BENT
Super slowly, let both knees fall to one side, then the other. Alternate sides.
Promotes gentle movement and drainage through the lower abdomen.
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⟡ LYING ON BACK · KNEES BENT
Same set up as a regular bridge — but one leg at a time, lifting only a couple of inches. This will feel more like a gentle roll than a bridge.
✦ Only go as far as feels right. Do not push yourself.
Promotes gentle movement and drainage through the lower abdomen.
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⟡ LYING ON BACK
Bring your elbows together, palms facing each other. On an inhale, slowly draw your hands away from your head along the floor or bed. On the exhale, let your hands float back to the top of your head.
Gets the ribs moving with the breath. Beautiful for circulation and opening the chest gently.
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⟡ LYING OR PROPPED ON PILLOWS
Flex and point your toes, slowly and rhythmically.
Contracts and relaxes the calf muscles — great for getting blood moving from the lower legs back up.
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⟡ LYING ON BACK · HEELS ANCHORED
Anchor your heels to the floor, then flex and point your toes to rock your whole body gently. Find a rhythm that feels good.
✦ This one can be a bit more challenging
Great full-body movement for lymph flow.
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⟡ LYING ON YOUR SIDE
Arms straight in front of your chest. Slowly open the top arm to the opposite side, like opening a book.
✦ Only go as far as feels right — do not go all the way.
Opens the chest, diaphragm, and ribs — so much goodness in one movement.
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⟡ SITTING
Gently stretch side to side. You can add an arm overhead or just tilt your head and torso. Add some nice breaths while you're in the stretch.
✦ Be super gentle — stay well within your range of motion.
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⟡ SITTING OR STANDING
Roll your shoulders backwards, timed with your breath. Inhale as they rise, exhale as they roll back and down.
✦ Think tiny shoulder rolls - the smaller you go the more spesific you’ll be!
A lot of blood and lymph returns to the heart behind the clavicles — this is such a good one for circulation.
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⟡ ON HANDS AND KNEES
Wide-kneed or supported with pillows under your abdomen. Arms by your side, or in a little sharkfin, or out in front — whatever feels best. Really let your abdomen relax completely. (Chanel your inner beer-gut)
Let gravity do the work and just breathe.
You can practice these before the retrieval too, but they're really designed for post -surgery recovery. Your body is doing something remarkable — let's support it.
Have questions about your recovery after egg retrieval?
Send me an email or book an appointment!
