Exercise Guidelines from RE

AMShark · September 2014

I was at the RE for my first u/s yesterday. I asked her when I could start running again, and she pretty much said, in about 9 months. I was shocked. I didn't think I would be running my spring marathon this year, but I've seen plenty of pregnant women running half marathons and shorter races. My RE said I shouldn't even run a 5k. Not even a 5-freakin'-k.

My RE recommended I take up walking. She sees the danger in raising my heart rate and body temperature too high.

So, I'm curious, what kind of advice on exercise did everyone else get from their RE's? Is it possible that my age (37, soon to be 38), and history of loss might be part of the reason for her advice?

mdiblasi10 · September 2014

My RE's guidelines are for the first trimester only after IVF - he says to take it easy as a precaution. I was very sick until 14 weeks, but after that I began CrossFit again. Very slowly, with weights and some movements scaled or modified. I feel great and I always, always listen to my body and make sure I can carry a conversation throughout the workout. I know people who run their entire pregnancy and are fine. I know several women who are doing CrossFit and yoga and everything they normally did before, and again, they're fine and their babies are healthy.

I'm not a doctor though so I won't tell you to not listen to them. However, I would talk to your OB about the running and exercise beyond first tri. And do what feels right to you. Most times if you did something before pregnancy, you are fine to do it during. If anything, I believe staying active is better for your pregnancy than anything else

AMShark · September 2014

Thanks for sharing @mdiblasi10 - I hope you don't mind my asking but are you of AMA too? I can't help but wonder if my RE would give the same advice to everyone, or just to old ladies like me.

I'm signed up for a 10 mile race at the end of the month, and I'm considering just walking the whole thing. (Although, that sounds really time consuming, completely boring, and it would do very bad things to my NYRR's pace - but it's better than sitting on my butt and waiting for DH at the finish line).

Siona1976 · September 2014

I didn't ask my RE for exercise guidelines because we were in winter freeze out and I was too worried about running and slipping on ice (I've done that pre-pregnancy). As a fellow AMA-er, my OB said no biking and horseback riding (I got a giggle out of the 2nd one b/c I was a kid the last time I did that). I didn't ask about running because I voluntarily stopped. I have back issues & was just slowly easing myself back into running and found out our IUI took. However, this summer I did pool running and loved it - the doc loved that I was doing that. I agree w/ PP ask your OB.

pblge · September 2014

Thanks for asking this question. I've been too terrified to do anything but walk, but was hoping I could ease back into more after talking with my obgyn next week. I'm really surprised you were told no running for 9 months.

@ducky719 - Sorry to be stupid, but what do you mean by BH?

mdiblasi10 · September 2014

@AMShark‌ I'm 31, but that really shouldn't make a difference, that I know of. I really think it comes down to how you feel about it. I felt really confident with my CrossFit this time, so I'm doing it and my only goal is to keep it up until I deliver, no matter how little weight or how slow I go. I was biking a lot prior to my first pregnancy and my OB was fine with me continuing that as long as I didn't feel off-balance. I had to stop once the belly got in the way. I also stayed off the roads and stuck to the trails away from cars.

I loved this article and it totally relates

https://www.livestrong.com/article/1011154-pregnancy-new-challenge-olympian-alysia-montano/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0827_f

AMShark · September 2014

Thanks for the links @mdiblasi10 and @Ducky719 - both were good reads. In the end, I think I'll be too scared to go against my RE's advice, but I will be looking for a second opinion when/if I graduate to an OB. (Also, since I shared this conversation with DH, we had a somewhat heated discussion about it last night. I'm half expecting him to start hiding my sneakers and sports bras).

I hadn't thought about it much, because it's still hot out, but reading the WebMD article made me realize that downhill skiing is absolutely out. I mean, of course it is, but waaaaahhh!!!!! all the same.

(

Praying4Miracle17 · September 2014

I'm a "serious" runner and bootcamper, but stopped it when I started IVF stims. Because of two bleeds, a vanishing twin and nausea, I didn't do much the first tri. When the second tri started, I stuck to walking and light weights. My OB ran through her entire 3 pregnancies (she said she did a half marathon at 32 weeks!) so she gave me the green light, but unfortunately, DH did not and I respect his wishes since this journey has been so hard for both of us. So, I stick to walking about 45 minutes 4-5 days a week and light weights/body weight exercies 1-2 days a week. Good luck!

ksgsmu · September 2014

I have had to stop all activity since my transfer... but I am carrying twins and have a history of losses so I think that is why the extra precautions. I have even been on freakin pelvic rest since May! I would listen to your RE especially first tri then talk to your OB about your activity.

good luck!

xc1148 · September 2014

Normally whatever you did pre-pregnancy is fine, but if your current doctor is saying no, I'd take it easy for now. I'm more cautious though, I was not a serious runner but I gave it up completely. Once you transfer to an OB I would bring it up again if it's that important to you.

Lady2010 · September 2014

I think it partly depends on your history and on your Dr.

My RE and then my OB have told me I can exercise all I want (obviously once I hit my 2nd tri no to ab exercises, etc). I was starting to get back into running when going through IVF on an off month, but then stopped when I started stimming again, and then after didn't pick it up again since I was worried I would have to stop when I started stimming, again, etc. (my history is in my sig)

Interestingly though my SIL who just had her first in Aug was told no running by her OB. Interesting because she did not see an RE - they got pregnant in the first month or two of trying AND interesting because she is a runner - she ran 3 - 5 miles most days and has run a marathon, several half and 5k, 10ks, etc. She was 35 when she got preg, 36 when she had the baby and no real risks. Her OB just happened to be more conservative.

I didn't read all the prior posts - but have you explained to your RE that you are a runner? Maybe he/she will ok running at a slower pace?

FWIW - in the 1st tri, I did still go to the gym to work out w my trainer 1 - 2x per week but many times cancelled and when I did go he mostly had me walking on the treadmill or doing VERY low intensity stuff since I just felt so terrible (I had bad ms, extreme fatigue, etc). Plus for me personally, I just didn't want to take the risk of anything happening.

Good luck - hope you can find a solution with your RE that you are both ok with!

LO95 · September 2014

So this isn't really exercise, but when do you start having sex again? DH is a little antsy but hell if I'm doing the deed until I get some official word about it.

AMShark · September 2014

LO95 said:

So this isn't really exercise, but when do you start having sex again? DH is a little antsy but hell if I'm doing the deed until I get some official word about it.

I need to know this too! I thought I would ask my RE after we get a heart beat, but then, I seem to be pinning everything on that.

There are several RE's at my clinic, and - despite the fact that all of them have been all up in my lady parts - I am embarrassed to ask about half of them.

So, I guess I'll either wait for one of the female docs.... or just ask one of the nurses on duty.

(Seriously, why am I so embarrass to ask this?)

mdiblasi10 · September 2014

My RE puts all his patients on pelvic rest until 12 weeks, so no sex until then

I'm sure they all have different guidelines on that topic too.

pblge · September 2014

*loss mentioned*
In my first pregnancy I started bleeding after the first time we had sex. It was an ectopic, so it was probably a coincidence. Still, it freaked me the hell out. I have no told OH that I have no idea when I'll be emotionally prepared for sex, but it ain't right now. There are other things one can do. $:\$ ">

ETA. It's really common to bleed after sex, too. And now you know....

darby17 · September 2014

My RE recommended some exercise and said research supports that exercise is good for pregnancy. That being said, I didn't do any running. Brisk walking, light weights, yoga, and I played tennis up to 14 weeks.
I would be really cautious about running and anything high impact. Since you went through IVF, you have so much invested (emotionally and economically). I just don't think you should do anything you'd regret and question later if something were to go wrong. It's just a temporary condition, so I'd take your RE's advice and slow things down.

xc1148 · September 2014

@ LO95 depends on your doctor. We were told any time after the heartbeat was fine (~9 weeks). I was scared though. And then when we did I had bleeding and freaked out. Good times.

indianaalum · September 2014

darby17 said:

My RE recommended some exercise and said research supports that exercise is good for pregnancy. That being said, I didn't do any running. Brisk walking, light weights, yoga, and I played tennis up to 14 weeks.
I would be really cautious about running and anything high impact. Since you went through IVF, you have so much invested (emotionally and economically). I just don't think you should do anything you'd regret and question later if something were to go wrong. It's just a temporary condition, so I'd take your RE's advice and slow things down.

Great advice. I kinda looked at it this way, as well.

I worked out 4 or more times a week. When stimming, I was told not to work out as I had so many follicles, I was told I could do serious damage to my ovaries by overdoing it. When I got pregnant, I was told not until 12 weeks. I was cleared then, but have been extremely cautious. I didn't want to end up miscarrying only to be mad at myself for being overly obsessed about working out.

I have gained more weight than I like, however, I am still pregnant. In the end of the day, I care more about THAT, then the weight gain. I lost all the weight once, I will just have to do it again. It will be worth it

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