Working out while trying to conceive

crene84 · November 2011

I have unexplained infertility and am on my 14th cycle TTC. However, I do workout a lot..not so much that I am underweight or have irregular cycles..but I do like to work out 45-60 minutes every day (running, work out videos, etc)...

My doctor has told me that this is not the reason we aren't conceiving, but I wonder if there is anyone else who works out like this and has been told to tone it down while trying..Sometimes I might lighten my workout if I think ovulating or it's time for implanting, but for the most part, I keep it up. It's a great stress reducer so I would hate to stop working out, especially if that's not the cause and I still can't get pregnant.

Any success stories even while working out?

tombomb84 · November 2011

I was a distance runner when I went to the RE to find out why I wasn't ovulating. She told me that I needed to gain more body fat and cut down my running significantly. I did not ovulate after I stopped so I don't believe that it made any difference, but I was willing to listen to my RE if she thought it might increase our chances.

pulga131 · November 2011

Hi. I'm sorry you are having trouble. I wanted to start by saying that, but this is not the board for success stories as many of us have never been pregnant and are still trying for our first (there are some here that do already have one but...). I would try asking this on success after IF. Are you seeing an RE or an OBGYN? If you have been trying for over a year, then I suggest you see an RE. Many OBGYN's will try to treat IF, but this is not their area of expertise. Now as far as your question, I have heard both. I have seen 2 different RE's. The first RE that I went to, asked me how much I worked out. I told him that I was exercising 6 days a week on the elliptical or water aerobics for 45-60 min but that would slow down when school was back in session. He told me that I needed to completely cut out aerobics while ttc b/c it could make it more difficult. He said walking or lifting weights was fine but no aerobics at all. I will qualify this by saying that I did not agree with a lot of the things this RE said and went for a second opinion. The second RE, which I chose to stay with, said it didn't matter. I'm not sure what to believe. I trust the 2nd RE better. I also don't understand how taking care of your body could make it harder to get pregnant (unless you were causing your self to be anovulatory etc). Long story short, not sure which one has the right answer but I've been told both. GL to you

crene84 · November 2011

Yes I've been working with an RE for several months now. I am on my second round of Femara and this cycle I added in the Ovidrel trigger shot. I'm at Day 22..so just waiting..I'm bummed because I'll be with the in-laws for Thanksgiving and if I'm not pregnant, I'll be finding out while out of town with them..ugh

I've read that working out can actually increase blood flow to your reproductive organs, so it can potentially help..and I've read that bouncing/aerobics should not stop you from implanting. It's interesting that your doctor said no aerobics..gives me something to think about..but again, my doctor said as long as I'm not increasing my workouts, then it's good to continue. It's just such as stressful time as we all know, and my workouts are my outlet. Of course I'd give them up if I knew that it would help me conceive...but I don't really know that, so it's good to have the stress relief especially since my dr is saying it's fine..

Thank you for sharing your story, good luck!

April+ · November 2011

I work out the same amount as you do and I was told that this does not affect fertility if my cycles are regular. However, after my IUIs I am supposed to tone down any "jumping" or strenuous workouts.

tst1998 · November 2011

I am of the strong opinion that as long as you are not working out excessively (you aren't underweight or having irregular cycles) it's probably healthy to keep working out. I also have unexplained IF. I wasn't working out much for the first year we were TTC--didn't get pregnant. I trained for a 1/2 marathon during the second year--didn't get pregnant. Stopped working out again for the last 6 months--did not get pregnant, gained 10 lbs, and am not feeling great about myself.

I was never told not to work out. I did want to get my 1/2 marathon out of the way before doing IVF--just in case, but I kept running 3-4 times per week right up until ER. I say do what makes you happy. But I'm also pretty far into this TTC journey, so I'm getting increasingly bitter about having given up things in the past that didn't make one damn bit of difference. Smile

AKB090609 · November 2011

My RE has always said to do what I am comfortable with. I try to do things that are fun like running around with my dogs rather than something that I feel pushes me. I would also recommend swimming as it is a great stress reliever, and improves cardiovascular endurance.

sekura · November 2011

I have seen one study (really wish I'd bookmarked it) that says that high-intensity workouts from 6-9 DPO can reduce the likelihood of getting pregnant--presumably this is because it hinders implantation. That's the only science I've seen on exercise and getting PG.

Bethany1026 · November 2011

yes, my RE told me to cut back/out working out...even though my BMI was normal, he said I should gain some weight. 6 months with no gym made me miserable and slightly depressed, but it also could have been from all the meds. Well, I did gain about 8 pounds and my IVF cycle still failed....so, I decided next round I'm going back to my "normalcy" and I will work out, maybe not intense, but it makes me feel happier!

pulga131 · November 2011

sekura:
I have seen one study (really wish I'd bookmarked it) that says that high-intensity workouts from 6-9 DPO can reduce the likelihood of getting pregnant--presumably this is because it hinders implantation. That's the only science I've seen on exercise and getting PG.

Thanks for sharing this. Seems like if you really want to be safe then you would only have to slow down to low impact or just not work out for 3 days. I can totally handle 3 days!

kaneki413 · November 2011

I worked out 3-4 days per week with cardio and weights. My RE said that I needed to cut out the cardio all together. He said that weights are fine but not cardio. His exact words were, "Crazy enough, cardio is great for you EXCEPT during the IVF process. So needless to say, I have gained 5 pounds. Oh well, I guess it's worth it!!

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