I'm now gardening through my 3rd pregnancy. I didn't, however, go through IVF, so it might be wise to talk to your Dr. about what restrictions you might have.

I basically, continue on with the same garden work as I always do, pregnancy hasn't limited my activities.

Deborah,
My comments are mostly common sense, yet probably worth putting in print. I've tried to limit my suggestions to those related to gardening.

Avoid any contact with poison ivy. A severe case might normally warrant cortisone steroid treatment, which you clearly can not use during pregnancy.

On general principle, avoid anything with toxic plant parts or seeds. Datura and castor bean are two that come to mind.

Go way out of your way to avoid physical contact or inhalation of any chemicals, including pesticides, weed killers and fertilizers. Genetic makeup is determined in the first trimester and you don't want chemicals influencing the outcome.

If you have cats in the garden stay away from the poop. There is much discussion on this topic elsewhere on GW. I don't believe this is the appropriate forum to discuss the merit of the theories. I say, "Why gamble?"

Gardening can be heavy duty business. Speaking from experience, don't lift anything heavier than a baby. You may not even feel the damage done and it isn't worth it.

Don't listen to those who encourage you to consume plant products on the basis they are safe because they are "herbal" or "organic". Arsenic is organic. So is ricin from castor beans.

Best wishes for success. I'll be thinking of you. Lots.

I'll pipe in here, too. This is aimed more at gardening after you've germinated (sow to speak).

Seedmama's comments about being careful to avoid chemicals is good advice. Further along those lines, be sure you use gloves for every garden chore, no matter how trivial. Don't be barefooting it in the garden. Be more careful than usual with sharp garden tools. It's a good idea to do all you can to avoid any kind of soilborne infection, bacteria, fungus, whatever.

By all means, keep on gardening. It's good for you, both physically and emotionally. Both of my kids were carried during gardening seasons, and they're both healthy as can be, as is their mother.

Mazeltov!

Hi Deborah - I won't add anything to the thoughtful advice above.

Good luck to you with IVF. I'm now 20 weeks pregnant, having been successful with our 1st IVF attempt in April. (This after 3-1/2 years TTC). I did my spring perennial dividing/moving during the days between egg retrieval and embryo transfer. :-)

Drop me a note if you'd like to chat or vent. I know what an ordeal it can be. Also, check out the bulletin boards on www.resolve.org; the IVF board kept me from driving DH nuts. Take care!

Toby thank you. I do need to have this talk with my RE. The only thing they've mentioned so far is the liter box, decrease my exercise intensity & drink more water/juice/Gatorade-like product.

Seedmama - I didn't even think about cat poop in the garden! I have 2 cats & we've thought about the liter box but they are mostly outdoor cats & do use the beds as liter boxes. The only chemicals I've ever used are Neem & Safer. I'll check the labels on those. But I'll need to compile a list of toxic plants/seeds.

Donn - I'm terrible about wearing gloves. DH even bought me a nice pair a few months ago but they sit unworn somewhere. I suppose I need to get used to it. I feel like I can't feel what I'm doing with gloves on though. But I will use them starting tonite.

Motria - its wonderful to hear of your success & that you had energy during retrieval and transfer. Everything I've read makes it sound like it will be draining. I will definitely check out those boards.

Thank you all so much! I'm happy to know I can still garden during this time - with some adjustments. It soothes my soul & thats needed badly right now.

Deborah, first my wishes for successful IVF !

Everyone had really good advice, especially checking with your RE, I'm going to repeat about the gloves (I hate them too, but better safe than sorry)and footwear.
I also avoided growing things that might have reactive compounds like Foxglove (digitalis) and Morning Glories, any poisonous plants, I tend to be overcautious.
That being said my last heavy duty garden chore during ttc but before the pos pg test was using the weedwhacker in the back jungle and vine yanking. after I found out I only planted a few bulbs that fall.

Best wishes for a sticky bean! :)

Didn't even think about Morning Glory but that makes sense because its in the same family as moonvine right? Never planted MG's but it pops up everywhere. I leave it in some places since the hummingbirds seem to like it. I'll have to yank these tonite.

Good luck!!!!! I'm 7 weeks pregnant myself :) and I'm probably going to let my garden just grow for a year or so, apart from very gentle chores. I had some shrubs to transplant and some of the Hated Privet to yank out, but now I'm just afraid to tackle those kinds of jobs. It would probably be okay, but I'm too afraid to take the risk... what if, you know? I'd say put strenuous garden jobs on the back burner, and unfortunately I agree about the gloves... my neighbor's cat uses my garden for its litterbox (grrr) and toxoplasmosis is a real risk.

Best of luck to you!

Skye

Pennyroyal is another one to avoid. Its oil is used in small quantities to make an abortant folk-tea. I tossed a plant I was growing a few years ago when I was TTC.

I wish you the best with IVF.