Working Out While TTC

[Anonymous]

I am waiting now to see if I am pregnant this cycle. I had a miscarriage in January. I typically work out about three to four times a week. Because I had a miscarriage, however, I am feeling nervous about working out. Although I know in the back of my mind, working out did not cause my miscarriage. However, I do recall reading something on the internet that cardio is not the best thing to do while trying to concieve. Has anyone else heard this?

[Anonymous]

I'm going through another round of IVF and here is what has been told to me by my acupuncurist and the nurses at my RE's office. They suggested that for a better chance of conceiving that I give up the hard core cardio. I had been doing 15 miles a week running plus a boot camp class 4 days per week. My acupuncturist told me that I could walk or ride my stationery bike as long as my heart rate doesn't go over 140. There are different theories on this. Plenty of women get pregnant while doing lots of exercise. I made the choice to give it up because I'm having trouble. I'm also 41, but I got pregnant naturally two months before my 40th birthday, but we had to terminate that pregnancy.

I started the boot camp as soon as I could exercise after the D&C. Did the hard core exercise interfere with TTC for me? It is difficult to say. I'm just giving you my experience.

[Anonymous]

I think it is Alice Domar who theorizes that women shouldn't do cardio while TTC because it invokes the flight or fight response, which will interfere with the body's ability to conceive. I don't think many RE's buy into this - they tell you not to work out too much during fertility treatments because of potential damage to the ovaries (bursting, twisting). Some do. I don't think there is any good research either way, although, of course, if you are working out so much that your body weight is really low and/or you stop ovulating then your fertility will be affected that way.

Personally, I conceived twice while doing a workout regime that sounds similar to yours. The first time I miscarried, but I really don't believe exercise had anything to do with it as I got pregnant again a few months later. The second time resulted in a 100% healthy pregnancy, delivery and baby. I've also limited my exercise for some time during TTC for #2, and haven't conceived, but I think it is my age rather than exercise that is to blame. So I don't buy into the theory. However, if I did conceive again I would cut out high intensity workouts during my first trimester just to be extra careful.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much! I am going to do light cardio this week then.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the previous posters. I think for most women, exercising heavily won't influence their ability to get pregnant. But if you are having difficulty, it is one thing you might consider.

[Anonymous]

To the woman who mentions advice from her acupuncturist above - can you share that person's name? I am looking for someone in the DC area who specializes in fertility. Thanks!

Another perspective - my doctor says that as long as working out doesn't stress you more (i.e. sleeping less to get to the gym, or stressing about leaving work to get to a class) you're OK. He seemed to think that if you relieve stress through working out, you're good.

[Anonymous]

I am not the PP who mentioned the acupuncturist, but I see Lisa Eaves (Heal from Within) for acupuncture and she is excellent. She is fertility focused and is located in upper NW (Tenley).

[Anonymous]

Not the PP but Zoe Brenner is fantastic. She is in North Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

I used to see Zoe Brenner and agree that she is good. I only switched because she does acupuncture a little differently than traditional TCM and I wanted to see what TCM acupuncture was like. She doesn't leave the needles in, but rather is actively in the room for your entire treatment and uses the needles to release energy point-by-point. Zoe was recommended by Shady Grove for acupuncture before Pulling Down the Moon moved into their building.

[Anonymous]

I'm the first poster on 3/1. I see Kerri Westhauser. She also specializes in fertility. Her name has been mentioned all over this board. I was referred to her by my RE.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much to all of you for the acupuncturist info!!! Really, really helpful...