TTC and running for exercise-- OPEN FORUM

I am in the TTW stage after a clomid cycle and IUI with very good follicles and good swimmers (just done yesterday).   We have been trying for more than 2 years and after a slip into a state of depression I pulled myself out with yoga and exercise... I know it sounds silly, but it helped.  Now I am running about 4 miles a day and I find it an awesome stress releasor and a good way to stop thinking about pregnancy sypmtoms.   Yoga is great, too, but I am not concerned that it could adversely affect a pregnancy.
I run to get my heart rate up a little, but I do not over exert myself.   I know excessive exercise is really bad, but I am not excessive and the nurse told me that I could return to normal activity after the IUI... I specifically asked if I could go running and she said if it was part of my normal routine, go ahead.  I still took it easy, but does anyone think this is a bad idea or do you think I'm OK.  
I don't do excessive training, just a run at the end of the day to clear my head and releive the stress.   Can the bouncing cause a problem... or the increased heart rate?  what do you ladies think?

[Jenny77]

Since the nurse and doc gave you the go ahead, I'd also say to keep running for as long as you can into a pregnancy. Eventually the morning sickness, fatigue, or growing belly will slow you down or catch up with you later. For now though, its actually very good for you to excersise and stay active. The last couple of years I haven't done as much as I used to and I really regret it, especially after getting pregnant earlier this year, once I got pregnant it was just too hard to start up again and I get tired way too easily. My advice for women who are ttc is to get into some type of excersise routine asap, it makes it so much easier later on and will probably make a pregnancy a little easier in some ways too.

[AnnieBrooke]

Don't worry about bouncing, as Andi says, "You can't shake a good egg loose."

[Princess Wanted]

I am also ttc (w/Clomid).  Lately I am also running in the evening to help with depression and anxiety.  I don't know what I would do without that run.  I just started again, but I know it helps me.  However, I did notice that running delays my period by two days. Has that happened to you?

Great luck and extra sticky baby dust!

[Wanting]

Hey ladies,

I have a quick question....I don't usually ask this but it has had me thinking today.  I kow it is probably WAYYYYY too early to even have anything but I am feeling queasy this morning.  I felt it yesterday afternoon.  It started around 4:30 and lasted until 6:30.  On my way home from work I had to do everything I could to not throw-up.  it really felt like I would every second.  Then I got home and layed on the couch.  I had a bit of food to eat but not much in case I was going to let it all up.  Sorry TMI.  Anyways it went away and I was totally fine.
I have it again now and it isn't as bad as yesterday but it is definitely there.
I am only on cd 13 but dh and I had bd on cd 9 and I kept it all in for a bit.  

Please let me know what you think about this crazy thing and if you think it is in my head or not!

Thanks!!

[low22]

Hey.  I'm a big runner too.  My doctor said to keep my heart rate at 140 -- do you have a heart rate monitor?  Usually if I do a 10.5 or 11.0 min mile it stays around 140.  Just don't get overheated.  Since I have had two m/c my doctor suggested that I stop "pounding the pavement" once I get another BFP -- for peace of mind.  When I get the BFP I'm going to swim a lot more.  But as long as you have been running before preg, you should have no risks if you continue running.

[Morgan277]

ttc i wouldnt worry about it.  go about your typical routines.  when you are prego is when you have to watch your heart rate, etc.  i am a runner and ran a few races after my BFP but had to slow it down b/c of some blood behind the placenta.  All is well now so I am looking to start up again but since I took a break from running, Ill walk and use the elliptical.  keep up your exercise!  it will make for a healthier you when ttc.

[low22]

Oh, yeah, sorry... I meant to keep heart rate at 140 AFTER you get the BFP.  But it couldn't hurt taking it easy too while you're ttc.  Too much exercise can sometimes screw up your cycle.  I ran 5.2 miles this morning and thought I was going to die from the heat -- it was a dry, stale heat -- ICK!!!  It was 82 degrees at 5am -- now that is messed up!

[kris123]

I got my BFP today. Good news.  BF is made at me and doesn't want me to come hom - bad news.  I lost a baby in June, I don't want to lose this one.

[Wanting]

Congrats on the BFP!!  I am sorry you are having troubles with your BF.  Is he mad that you got pregnant?  I hope that it all works out for you.

[kellibug]

I personally think you should lay off running for a while. I had been ttc a year (with one m/c in between) and the month i decided to "rest" was the time I actually got preggo!!!! I just walked and did the precor machine. i believe i was working out way too much. I was running about 4-5 miles a day. my fertility Dr. told me anything over 10 miles a week is excessive. i also do not run now, i am 10 weeks preggo and i am going to wait until about 12 weeks and then justrun about 2 miles every other day. i dont suggest giving up working out just go easy on yourself, i know it worked for me.

[kris123]

he may be upset.  he is mad right now.

[duehring]

I was running at least 3 miles a day before I got pregnant with my last baby. I kept doing it till a few days in a row I got a terrible side ache when running and I knew something was different. Sure enough I got a positive test a week later. I think your body lets you know if you are overdoing it.

Then about a week later I was sick as can be with morning sickness and couldn't run anymore if I had tried.

[tinad]

Does anyone else just get to the point you're tired of ttc? M/C in January, VERY irregular AF, bleeding after bding, etc. I contacted my doctor and they suspect abnormal cells on my cervix. First available appointment isn't until 8/24. I feel like crying but I can only cry inside because life goes on, ds to take care of, work to be completed, bills to be paid, house to clean. I'm tired of reading into how my body feels or doesn't feel. It took less than a month to conceive before the m/c and now it's been seven months with only one problem after another and I'm just so tired.

[Harley-girl]

I posted below that it is my wedding anniv today and DH just popped in my work with a dozen long stem red roses. Guess I am gonna have to give him some lovin' tonight. :)

Just wanted to share as I am grinning from ear to ear!!!

[Morgan277]

the opposite happened to me and that is why i see running as only a benefit to a pregnancy until of course you become uncomfortable.  In my first pregnancy, I ran until about 5 months and stopped only b/c my breasts became too large and hurt when I ran.  the second pregnancy, I stopped all exercise immediately b/c i was spotting and it ended up in MC anyway.  This third pregnancy, I continued to exercise until told not to about the 7th week- due to some blood under the placenta.  Now that that is gone, I will resume exercise but to a milder degree only b/c I have been out of the loop for about 6 weeks.  In all the articles I have read about pregnancy and exercise, all of them will say that exercise EVEN alot of exercise will not lead to a mc.  My personal trainer just told me to take it down a few notches to be safe.  My rule with everything is things are good as long as in moderation.  Exercise during pregnancy will make for a healthier pregnancy and hopefully easier labor.  also you will whip into shape faster after the birth of your child.  Going through labor is like going through a marathon.  Would you run a marathon without training?  no, so why stop during pregnancy.

Good luck with ttc and enjoy your running!

[decogrl]

I know that you had been losing your mucus plug.  Did your docs say that delivery may just be right around the corner or is there still not much happening?  Are you still having pain?

[low22]

Love the marathon analogy!  So true!

[Facere23]

I'm not sure if it's proven, but i have read articles that link excessive exercise with low progesterone....i guess it's known also to cause some athletes to stop getting their period all together.  But i've also read and been told my my dr. that moderate excercise is good.  And if your body is used to that kind of exertion, then i guess a few miles a day couldn't hurt.  I would just say to be sure to keep hydrated and not to overexert yourself.

[jifnif]

i agree w/ kellibug...i have been running since i was 14 and was still running when i became pregnant at 35.  i did m/c and I am sure its not the running but the dr told me to put on a few pounds and try something that wasnt so demanding like walking or swimming.  so i did.  I just walked.  I did get my bfp 7mths after that and decided not to run.  I have been missing it very very much but I am pregnant and whats more..I am 37 weeks pregnant.  I still walk everyday and that clears my head just fine.  I will resume running once i am back to health.  heck do what feels right..some women run marathons prego!!!

[jifnif]

I am still sitting around!!  After drs I was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced.  He did tell me to push my appt off a few days just incase?!  I dont think I am gonna go quite yet but it would be nice as I am sooooooo uncomfortable.  How are you doing??

[Lea2001]

My cycles have not been disrupted with any exercise since I was in high school (more than 10 years ago).  I know I am not over exerting myself because I am in tune with my body and think it is OK.   But I enjoy running and the stress release has helped alot.  It's nice to think about that run each day rather than, "is that a sign I'm pregnant"  or "I never had that before".  

I think I am going to keep with the running, until my doctor says to stop.

[mgi]

my doc (an RE)  won't even treat couples if they are runners and won't stop
he says that the running interferes with progesterone and estrogen levels. he makes us stop about six weeks BEFORE IVF

of course every doc is different as is every woman.  BUT for people who have trouble keeping babies there is some reason - they have linked the reason to running decreasing progesterone and estrogen
I would take it easy just in case - but thats me

I am sure we've all heard stories of women who excercised like mad and had healthy pregnancies - but why take the chance?  How much do you want this baby?
I miss running like crazy - but ill go back!

[Lea2001]

You are right.   Why would I stop something that I know is good for my body and helping my emotional state?   I found something that alot of women are looking for in our situation so i am going to continue.  

I have not invested in a heart rate monitor, though.   I guess I should if this IUI is successful.  

But the marathon analogy... that's right on.   I should be preparing my body for a pregnancy and delivery and then the demands of rainsing a little baby.  

Thank you very much for your input.   And a good egg, is a good egg.   It will stay.

[runnerup]

Question...I'm training for a full marathon. I've got my first IUI next week (probably Tuesday). I'm supposed to run 22 miles next Saturday...what are your thoughts? Oh and fyi...running is a huge part of my daily routine (just ran 20 this morning).