Seriously Stupid Exercise Question

briannaasaro

So I know exercise is good for you in general, even when you're TTC. We obviously have extra issues which is why I'm posting on this board.

But I was thinking about this the other day, and it made me wonder....

I'm a runner. I run long distances and on the days I go short distances I run HARD. I don't have a problem with this 99% of the time.

But on the days you're ovulating and it's the 3-5 days you're REALLY trying to conceive, should I give running a rest?

The reason I ask is because they tell you to let gravity do the work to get the sperm up there. So I don't go crazy, but I DO prop a pillow under my hips after sex. I guess my question is if I should NOT exercise the week I'm super fertile... because I get the feeling my hard running is sort of working AGAINST gravity.

 Yeah yeah, dumb question. But it makes sense in my head.

briannaasaro

katyj25:

The rule is to do what you normally do as far as exercising. I wouldn't run a maraton or anything though.

The only thing you should not do is prop with a pillow. That is a UTI waiting to happen,

I got the UTI part covered. I have chronic kidney and UTI infections. I'm on a one-pill antibiotic every time I have sex so that doesn't happen. So I'm not worried about that at all. (And yes, I know once/if I get a BFP I need to stop taking that altogether).

overwhelmed29

I used to run and now I lift weights. I have been TTC for 14 months with no success. My dr advised me to stop running to see if it helps me to get pregnant. Not really sure if there's an underlying reason or if he just wants to see if its have a negative affect on me.

mfarmer0811

My question for you is: What are your "extra" issues? All of us here at TTTC having been trying for over a year to get pregnant.

Alot of the "gravity and sperm" mombo jumbo are myths!

katib77

Usually the worry with hard core runners is BMI.  But if you are not annov and have a health (not too low) BMI and your RE is not worried...then I say run like you normally would.

The speed of sperm get it past the cervix with the force of the ejaculation, that's why we say the pillow is an old wives tale and only causes UTIs...because the good sperm has already made it past the cervix that even a few minutes later getting up to say, go pee, only has the seminal fluid and super lazy sperm leaking out.  Not the only that will do any good.  Do NOT worry about gravity. 

briannaasaro

mfarmer0811:

My question for you is: What are your "extra" issues? All of us here at TTTC having been trying for over a year to get pregnant.

Alot of the "gravity and sperm" mombo jumbo are myths!

My husband has low sperm count, motility and volume.

And I had cervical cancer and subsequent treatment that has created scar tissue and made it harder to conceive even IF my husband had a normal SA.

Does that qualify me enough? 

Durham1008

briannaasaro:

mfarmer0811:

My question for you is: What are your "extra" issues? All of us here at TTTC having been trying for over a year to get pregnant.

Alot of the "gravity and sperm" mombo jumbo are myths!

My husband has low sperm count, motility and volume.

And I had cervical cancer and subsequent treatment that has created scar tissue and made it harder to conceive even IF my husband had a normal SA.

Does that qualify me enough? 

It's not about qualifying. If you put your info in your siggy, it helps us to answer your questions better because then we know what your dx and history are. And we won't have to ask you every time.

briannaasaro

Durham1008:

briannaasaro:

mfarmer0811:

My question for you is: What are your "extra" issues? All of us here at TTTC having been trying for over a year to get pregnant.

Alot of the "gravity and sperm" mombo jumbo are myths!

My husband has low sperm count, motility and volume.

And I had cervical cancer and subsequent treatment that has created scar tissue and made it harder to conceive even IF my husband had a normal SA.

Does that qualify me enough? 

It's not about qualifying. If you put your info in your siggy, it helps us to answer your questions better because then we know what your dx and history are. And we won't have to ask you every time.

Didn't mean to be snarky. I re-read what I wrote and that last line did sound a bit pissy, but I've posted on this board for a while now. LOL. Sorry.

Ps. What's siggy?

Durham1008

briannaasaro:

Durham1008:

briannaasaro:

mfarmer0811:

My question for you is: What are your "extra" issues? All of us here at TTTC having been trying for over a year to get pregnant.

Alot of the "gravity and sperm" mombo jumbo are myths!

My husband has low sperm count, motility and volume.

And I had cervical cancer and subsequent treatment that has created scar tissue and made it harder to conceive even IF my husband had a normal SA.

Does that qualify me enough? 

It's not about qualifying. If you put your info in your siggy, it helps us to answer your questions better because then we know what your dx and history are. And we won't have to ask you every time.

Didn't mean to be snarky. I re-read what I wrote and that last line did sound a bit pissy, but I've posted on this board for a while now. LOL. Sorry.

Ps. What's siggy?

Siggy = signature. If you click on your avatar and then "edit my avatar & signature", you can add stuff that will show up on the bottom of each of your posts. Like how mine has pictures and my diagnosis and our history of treatments. It just makes things easier when giving advice if we know what you've done and what your diagnosis is. The bump seems to be having issues with them right now so you may have to save it several times before it starts showing up.

mfarmer0811

Sorry if I sounded rude in my question, but like PP said, just trying to get a better idea of what you are/have been going through. I would ask your Dr. especially since you have had cervical issues before....that might make a difference, but I don't know. Welcome, and I hope your stay here isn't long!

curlylocks3

I don't change up my exercise routine based on my cycle unless I am not feeling up to whatever (i.e. if I'm super bloated I might choose not to have a very intense workout). Otherwise I just go about my routine. I specifically asked my RE his feelings on my exercise routine, as well as the very intense one I do every February-March. He was cool with both and after doing my IUI today told me to rest for 5-10 minutes and then I could go back to work, where I'm on my feet running and lifting things all day.

Jzyla

I agree with the other ladies that for the most part, if you're regularly very active, it shouldn't be a problem. However, super hard workouts are not recommended by a lot of professionals after O. My TCMP (Chinese Medicine) has specifically recommended I avoid abdominal exercises, deep squats, and any heavy lifting post ovulation. She suggested I increase my cardio and use lighter weights after day 21. From what she says, it's more of a concern for implantation than ovulation (or sperm staying up there). Overall, don't fret too much about it though! Do what feels right for your body!

briannaasaro

curlylocks3:

I don't change up my exercise routine based on my cycle unless I am not feeling up to whatever (i.e. if I'm super bloated I might choose not to have a very intense workout). Otherwise I just go about my routine. I specifically asked my RE his feelings on my exercise routine, as well as the very intense one I do every February-March. He was cool with both and after doing my IUI today told me to rest for 5-10 minutes and then I could go back to work, where I'm on my feet running and lifting things all day.

This was exactly what I was getting at! I don't generally exercise RIGHT AFTER sex anyway!!! I usually go to bed!! LOL. Most of my exercising is done in the morning. And then like the lady after you wrote, I try not to do core exercises after ovulation. Thanks everyone for the advice. I've been trying to save my signature, but so far it's not working!

icogburn

I have to admit, I am a bit more careful after O week.  Not because of the exercise, but of the pain after. If I over do it, I am not only sore as all get out, but can get a headache or migraine at times. I don't want to have to take any meds, so in order to prevent the headaches, I take it a little easier.  Then come CD1, I hit it hard again.