Working out while TTC/Pregnancy

norweigan

Hi! I know I don't post very often on this board, but I was hoping you all could help me with a question. I used to workout a lot and intensely, but lately (as in the last few months) have been super lazy and only really doing elliptical/power walking. I've been gaining weight and hating it, so was looking into some DVDs from a workout place I used to go to all the time that has really intense workout. My concern, however, is that I'm TTC right now, and am worried that a sudden increase in exercise would be harmful if I become pregnant this cycle. Am I thinking too much into this?

blu-eyedwife

Yes.

The intensity of your workout while trying to conceive (assuming everything else is status quo) won't have any effect on your pregnancy.

Once you become pregnant, you may have to scale back on intensity, but listening to your body is your best bet.

Lindsaym5!

Yes. Exercise and being fit would be more likely to help you conceive. I workout at a CrossFit gym and didn't scale anything for several weeks of my pregnancy. Go for it.

norweigan

Thank you all for your advice

marathonmom823

I was running 55mpw doing base training for marathon #5 when I got my BFP with baby #1.
With this one, I was running 40mpw and doing Bootcamp 3x's a week when I got the BFP.
Keep working out- it will keep your mind off the stress of TTC. Good luck!

CLLDLL

I started working out hardcore a few months before TTC DS2.  I lost around 15 pounds over the 6 months we were TTC.  My Dr. said that I could do just about anything pregnant that I was doing on a regular basis not pregnant.  The few exceptions were things that had me flat on my back in T2 and T3, anything that was a fall risk, and anything the I just didn't feel comfortable doing anymore. 

Later in my pregnancy I did have to scale it back because I would either get light-headed or  have braxton hicks contractions, but I kept working out 4-5 days a week the entire pregnancy.  I really think staying that active helped me not put on more pregnancy weight than my body needed to support a healthy pregnancy and I think it helped me have a quick, fairly easy birth.

norweigan

@CLLDLL thank you for sharing your experience. I've heard that keeping in shape throughout a pregnancy helps make labor easier, helps taking off the baby weight, and is healthy for the baby.  I just want to make sure I don't go overboard.

CLLDLL

norweigan said:

@CLLDLL thank you for sharing your experience. I've heard that keeping in shape throughout a pregnancy helps make labor easier, helps taking off the baby weight, and is healthy for the baby.  I just want to make sure I don't go overboard.

No problem!!  I think as long as what you start doing now isn't messing with ovulation (do you temp?) and doesn't cause you to drop below a normal healthy BMI you should be fine. Once you're pregnant, just listen to your body.

zbeesma86

blu-eyedwife said:

Yes.

The intensity of your workout while trying to conceive (assuming everything else is status quo) won't have any effect on your pregnancy.

Once you become pregnant, you may have to scale back on intensity, but listening to your body is your best bet.

exactly this- I was a gym rat before I got pregnant and had to cut back a  lot once I found out I was and my doctor told me to.

the day I found out I was pregnant I had ran 8 miles and done 110 lb squats. I had been doing a lot of high intensity workouts for months and still found out we were expecting and all was well.

no worries. I over think a lot too

mileswithmyles

hls19 said:

blu-eyedwife said:

Yes.

The intensity of your workout while trying to conceive (assuming everything else is status quo) won't have any effect on your pregnancy.

Once you become pregnant, you may have to scale back on intensity, but listening to your body is your best bet.

exactly this- I was a gym rat before I got pregnant and had to cut back a  lot once I found out I was and my doctor told me to.

the day I found out I was pregnant I had ran 8 miles and done 110 lb squats. I had been doing a lot of high intensity workouts for months and still found out we were expecting and all was well.

no worries. I over think a lot too

I third this!

I workout 4-5 days a week and train for marathons.  2 weeks before my BFP, I did a 10K and half marathon in the same weekend and 1 week before I did a mud run.  I was training for those two races while we were TTC and it didn't affect me.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that if you want to exercise during pregnancy, you should start while TTC.  Doctors typically want you to keep your normal routine while scaling back speed or weights. 

Good luck!

marathonmommy82

I ran a marathon (training around 55 mpw) and got pregnant shortly after. You'll be fine !