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Health & Exercise
Running during pregnancy
Hello all,
I'm a newbie here TTC and I'm sure this has been asked many times but I couldn't find too much on it so bear with me! I have heard so many things about running and pregnancy. I'm inclined to believe you should "pay attention to your body" and do only what you can handle, scaling back intensity and focusing on longer, slower distances. Since I am about to go through IVF I am curious about others' experiences running while TTC and through pregnancy.
Of course I plan to discuss with OBGYN, but RE doesn't seem to have much of an opinion. I am finding it hard to stick to a schedule due to meds and side effects at times, but am committed to staying healthy and using this to maintain my mental health through this process!
Any help or suggestions? Thanks so much.
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Re: Running during pregnancy
I think you're right on target with your philosophy. I would definitely read this book - it discusses exercising while TTC and during pregnancy. It was so enlightening! https://www.amazon.com/Exercising-Through-Pregnancy-James-Clapp/dp/1886039593/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299442043&sr=8-1
However, I know nothing about IVF and if that makes things different as far as excercise goes.
First, let me say that I did not go through IVF.
I continuted to run though, while charting and TTC. It took us MANY cycles to get pregnant. I m/c around five weeks and then 8 months later, found out I was pregnant again.
I have continued to run, walk, cycle, yoga, pilates, weights and all the other exercises I was doing before and while TTC. I just do what I feel like that day, and at a minimum I get some power walking in and some stretching almost everyday.
I FEEL so much better when I am active, pregnant or not. I find exercise a HUGE benefit for my mental health and well being
, as well as a stress reliever.
I am also a Group Ex teacher and I know it sounds cliche' but I tell all my students (all levels, pregnanant or not) to listen to their bodies and do what they can do that day. Exercise is a lifestyle commitment rather that how well you "do" (perform) on a given day. It is reallly the BIG picture that counts. Balance is really key. Too much or too little of anything is not good.
GL on your journey.
We were seeing an RE and about to start Clomid + IUI the next cycle when we got pg. So I haven't been through that or IVF yet. However, my RE was adament to not run or do anything jarring even while I was TTC, and especially now that I'm pregnant. I have to say that I hate it because I love working up a good sweat and nothing keeps me saner than a good long run. But I figured it took us so long to conceive that I can hang up my running shoes for awhile. Of course I'll ask my OB about it when we got in for our first u/s but for now I'm sticking with the RE's advice.
In lieu of, I've found that cranking up the treadmill to an incline of 8-12% and doing a fast walk gets my heart rate up and I can get a good workout in without all the jarring. I know a lot of women still run, and I definitely envy them, but for me and my first pregnancy that we had to work so hard for, its just not worth it to me right now.
HTH
Thank you so much everyone! I just ordered the book (let the studying begin!)
@Lucys congratulations! I will double check with my RE since we are getting close to egg retrieval. I'm also carrying donor embryos so I have a pretty unique situation and it may be different than if I were using my own eggs.
I have high hopes since my mom ran while pregnant with me until she was 81/2 months!
Hi There! First of all I want to wish you good luck on your IVF cycle. I am currently pregnant through IVF so I know how stressful it can be both physically and emotionally.
I stopped running when I started injections for my IVF (but since you are doing donor eggs you might not have to worry about that yet) and didn't start running again until I was 10 weeks along.
Throughout the IVF process, 2 week wait and until we saw the heartbeat I did only the elliptical and light weights. After we saw the heartbeat I gradually began to add my regular exercise routine back in (aerobics classes, spinning, heavy weights, running) and I had no problem getting back into running after 2-3 months off and now am so thankful and grateful not only to be pregnant but also able to continue running (about 15 miles/week right now).
I agree with just listening to your body. You will know when you need to slow down or when you are pushing yourself too hard. My heartrate is in the 160s while I am running however I can carry on a comfortable conversation and have slowed down my pace considerably and really have no percevied exertion.
Good Luck!!