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Getting pregnant and training - Update at end
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I just turned 36 and my husband and I are going to start trying to have a baby next month. I already know time isn't on my side. I'd like to train for something (marathon or half IM) but am not sure how the stress of training will add while trying to get pregnant. My gynecologist doesn't really get the whole athlete thing so her advice is not to exercise beyond walking for 30 minutes a day.

What are your thoughts/experience with this?
Last edited by: Tri1016: Jan 29, 13 10:35
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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i did an ironman the month before I got pregnant. I continued to run/swim and bike while trying to get pregnant. I continue to run/swim now and I am 19 wks pregnant. I am 33. If I am not mistaken it is recommended to exercise more than walking during pregnancy. This guidance doesn't make sense to me but I would look for some other medical opinion before following her advice. A book that really helped me was the book Exercising trough your Pregnancy by James Clapp.

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Re: Getting pregnant and training [marcia] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for that - I'll look into that book.

I was going to switch gynecologists soon - besides her views on exercise, she's hasn't been a good fit since I told her we're finally going to try to have a baby.
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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I think it depends on a lot of factors, the exercise thing. You'll get every answer - they started exercising, they cut back, ramped it up, finished an Ironman, couch potato, cut it all out - gained weight, lost weight, stayed the weight they were - you get the picture. I guess I'm trying to say that it all depends and maybe your doctor thinks your too skinny? Or maybe he/she is just a crack that knows nothing about athletes. But I think that is going to be a personal decision and if you want to train, by all means, train. If you feel it is hampering your baby making efforts, then cut back.

Aside from the exercise thing (and I've written this in a few other posts about this, so sorry) is to get the book - Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. You will probably learn a ton about your body, how it works, what is normal and what is not as far as ovulation and sex timing goes. By a basal body thermometer, and start charting ASAP. It's a piece of cake, and helps take the guess work out of a lot of things. Something she's not a big proponent of is OPK's (ovulation predicotr kits). Basically like pregnancy tests you pee on or dip in pee that will tell you if you are going to ovulate in the next 24-48 hours. Helps with the whole timing thing - which you want to maximize as much as possible at 36). You can get them fairly cheaply online. Even with all the info in her book, it was the opk's that got us to hit it right both time we got pg (along with all the signs and the charting). The charting will tell you if you in fact did ovulate, and if you're post ovulation time perid (luteal phase) is long enough... I was 33 and 35 when I got pg with my boys - and I thought I knew what was what, until I read that book! This is especially helpful if your cycles aren't like clockwork. You can take your charts to your doc when you do get pg and it can help with dating. With my second, (tmi alert) I didn't even ovulate until day 28 (when the little pg wheel said I got pg). This would have moved my DD up 2 whole weeks, but with the chart (and an awesome doc who liked to see them), we knew when the actual DD was.

Sorry, that a bit longer than I planned, I'm just a fan of the info she provides and when time isn't so on your side, you need all the help you can get!! (We did at least!)

Good luck! And have a blast "practicing"!!

**********************
Harry: "I expected the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this."
Loyd: "I was thinking the same thing. That John Denver's full of shit, man."
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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The book RockyMtnChic recommended is fantastic - get it from a library, borrow it from a friend, or buy it yourself. Really really informative and well written.

As far as training while trying to get pregnant that's a really personal decision about what's right for you and how you're feeling. When we first started trying I pulled way back on training but as the months went by without any positive results my frustration at the process grew and I wasn't able to take that frustration out via exercise like normal which just made me an angry person and not much fun to be around. At some point I figured 'well screw it' and went back to training like normal. Still - 4 years later - no pregnancy but at least I'm able to vent any frustration on a good long tempo run.

Best wishes on getting knocked up quick! In the meantime, do what feels right for you and your body and realize that it could be a much longer road to pregnancy than you originally anticipate so try to be happy today and don't curtail your normal life too severely in the hopes that this month is the one.


http://smallfoodbiz.com
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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it sounds like you haven't started trying yet. i wouldn't change anything until you've been trying for a few months with no success.
like the previous poster, i got pregnant the month after doing an IM. actually, i'd done 2 IMs in the 5 months leading up to getting pregnant (at 31).

if a few months go by with no luck, then i'd think about scaling back, but until then, i'd just live me life as it was.

i would also recommend Clapp's book. i ran until 36 weeks and then moved to the elliptical because my hips just couldn't take it anymore.

also (and this is major), i'd recommend a switch in doctors because that kind of "don't exercise" attitude is wrong (for most woman) and isn't going to stop after you're pregnant. ask your athlete friends and find a fitness friendly doctor or midwife. i switched practices at 9 weeks into my pregnancy for just this reason. i chose to start going to a midwife. it was the right choice for us.

http://www.hooslisa.com
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [hooslisa] [ In reply to ]
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Thank you all for your advice - I appreciate it!

I've been preparing the last few months - I've gotten OPKs and have read some books (including Taking Charge of your Fertility) just to get familiar with my cycle. I haven't been charting though so I need to brush up again. I want to change my gynecologist for awhile but stuck with her b/c she's also an infertility specialist and I thought I'd stick around if I ever needed her. Ever since I told her we'd start trying, her attitude has become abrasive (mostly b/c of my age) and she has given inconsistent advice.

Again, thanks for your advice!
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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Depending on what your fertility issues are if you have any, and whatever assisted reproductive techniques you would consider to get pregnant (IUI, IVF), may I suggest finding someone who will freeze your eggs asap? My fertility doc told us the single most important factor in success/healthy baby is the age of the egg. We did IVF with sperm injection and froze as many embryos as we could. IVF was our only option but if I had other options, I would have frozen eggs at the very start. We were successful with 2 babies in three attempts. I was 30 when we began. Best wishes!
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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I recently did a review presentation on strenuous exercise in pregnancy and preconception during my OBGYN rotation looking at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendation along with the most recent data.

Pretty much, unless you are an elite athlete exercising at >90% max HR consistently (which most of us lay folk cannot do) studies show no harm in exercise- actually it is beneficial to mother's health and a healthier pregnancy. And even over >90% max HR there is no consistent results that show bad outcomes- not enough data yet.

Pretty much, continue to do whatever your are comfortable with, reduce interval workout if you are nervous, but exercising is always better than not exercising. Going couch to marathon while pregnant is not recommended, but if you already exercise moderate amounts, there is no reason for you to reduce it at this time.

Now, if you encounter complications later in pregnancy- preeclampsia, previa, accreta, those recommendations change, but for now you are good to go! good luck with everything
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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I'm just under 30 but got pregnant right around the time I completed a marathon. While training for the marathon I also did a century ride and another marathon (about 1.5 months before) while we were trying to conceive. I don't think the training interfered with the ability to get pregnant though I think it took my hormones longer to adjust from not taking birth control pills (about 4 months). On a similar note, try to make sure you eat enough after working out. Again, I think (not an expert) if you drop weight and decrease your body fat percentage, it can mess with your hormones, delaying the ability for you to get pregnant. We started trying after I completed an IM, so the recovery probably delayed my hormonal balance as well.

I continued training during pregnancy without serious issue (had SI issues mid-way which caused me to give up running due to the pain). I just made sure I ate enough (especially protein) and didn't overexert myself (i.e. didn't want to end the session feeling totally drained). I was lucky and my doctor encouraged me to keep exercising as I had been doing. She just emphasized eating protein.
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [trigeek5] [ In reply to ]
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It also depends on whether your volume of exercise interferes with ovulation. Some women stop ovulating with a large amount of exercise, and yes, that would be a problem if you're trying to get pregnant. Maybe you can discuss with your new ob-gyn and hope for your sake that it will be easy for you.
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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I have been a lurker on the forum for a while, but wanted to share my experience on this topic since it is very fresh for me.

Please do not let anyone discourage you or tell you that you cannot continue to be very active and become pregnant. Or that 36 is too old. I decided this year at the age of 39 (40 in 6 weeks) that I wanted to have a child. I am single, so went the route of IUI. I went to a reproductive specialist in March; he was very honest about my chances, especially in light of the fact that I wanted to get the process rolling, but did not want to try until after an August Ironman. He had absolutely no issue with the amount of training and the stress on my body as I was already very active; his greatest concern was percentage of body fat (not necessarily weight). As long as I kept the fat levels on the higher end (15-16% vs. 12% that I started at in March), he was happy. He followed me throughout the training and measured fat and weight once a month while I diligently ate...and ate and ate. From March until September I completed 2 marathons, 1 olympic tri, 2 HIM's and a full IM. First attempt at IUI was 3 weeks post Ironman, and it worked. So yes, you can continue to be highly active and become pregnant!

I am certain you are already in physically great shape and healthy; find a doctor who supports your goals as an athlete and a to-be mom. A reproductive specialist (read specialist - not OB/GYN who dabbles on the side with fertility meds) will be able to make sure all your hormone levels are good for achieving pregnancy, that there are no physical issues that might limit your ability to get pregnant (like fibroids or other uterine issues), and will be able to guide you down the correct pathway should you need help after trying for a few months.

Good luck!
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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Don't let anyone try to tell you what your body is capable of! My wife just gave birth to our daughter two weeks ago (perfectly healthy girl) and she turned 45 a week later. We credit her successful pregnancy to being fit and healthy due to triathlon.

Good luck!


Dave Stark
dreamcatcher@astound.net
USAC & USAT level 2 certified coach
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [karma] [ In reply to ]
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Awesome!! Congrats to you both. Now - dream of sleep, 'cause you won't be getting any for a long long time!! ;)

**********************
Harry: "I expected the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this."
Loyd: "I was thinking the same thing. That John Denver's full of shit, man."
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [karma] [ In reply to ]
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Thank you again everyone for your responses! I know this can be a tough topic.

I have an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist on Monday. I'm nervous and excited but realistic too. I signed up for a couple races including a half marathon in February just to keep me from going nuts. I'll keep you posted. :-)
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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So, update here. I switched doctors and he gave me a plan the first meeting! Was not concerned about my age or activity level at all. Did suggest that HSG dye test and wanted to start on fertility drugs. We were going on vacation so he agreed to hold off until January. Well, I got pregnant on vacation! No fertility drugs needed. I'm just over 10 weeks. I feel very fortunate - I thought this would be a longer, uphill battle.

I really wanted to be that woman that ran all through pregnancy but so far, running absolutely zaps me. I have no morning sickness but I sleep a ton. I'm starting up at a new pool next week and cannot wait to get in the water.

Thanks again for all your posts - I'll probably be posting more as I navigate this whole pregnancy thing. :-)
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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Congratulations!!! Such fun, awesome news:)
I'm always so exhausted that first tri too. Growing another human is hard work!

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Trying to fight gravity on a planet that insists
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Re: Getting pregnant and training - Update at end [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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I would say if you BMI is > 20, and you've been having regular menstrual cycles, you should continue to exercise at your current level. I've always heard, once you are pregnant, to continue what you are doing, but just don't increase. I would suggest the same is probably true of getting pregnant.
Good luck.
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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congratulations!
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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Congratulations!

maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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CONGRATS
That's very exciting.
I had three babies. Walking worked best for me. Listen to your body.
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [nad] [ In reply to ]
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How exciting !!!!

Running prego isn't easy, if your body doesn't like it - don't do it. Enjoy being prego, don't sweat the small stuff - like the fact that you aren't running (or barely running). You'll start again once your body has recovered from the pregnancy.

I really enjoyed the pool, long walks and modified yoga.

Congrats !
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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Congrats! Rest as much as you need to now, you'll feel magically better come week 12-13 - like a switch going back on. You can try running again once that happens. And if you don't don't worry about it. :-)

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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congratulations! I am in the same boat as you where I wanted to run thru my pregnancy but had to stop. I stopped at the start of the third trimester. Running became pretty hard but I find that modified pilates and walking are working the best for me. I am feeling great and I have 7 wks to go. Keep us posted on your pregnancy adventures!

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Re: Getting pregnant and training [Tri1016] [ In reply to ]
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So wonderful for you! What an exciting adventure & I'm so glad it was easier than you had even hoped!

Keep us updated! We like good stories around here!!

AW
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