Exercise during 2WW and pregnancy

[Ltl Panda]

Morning girls,
I was just wondering how much exercise is allowed/recommended during the 2WW and afterwards. I love my weight training and running, obviously I do not run at the moment but I want to know how frequently I can exercise and at what intensity.
I have read on other posts to maintain hpm @ under 140. At the moment I have drastically cut down and was wondering if 60 min cross trainer in the morning and 60 min walking at lunch was too much. I also do 30-40 min weight training maybe 3 days a week.

I would really appreciate if someone can share their experience on exercise and pregnancy.

[Ambah]

I honestly don't believe there is any need for you to cut down on your exercise if it is something that your body is used to.
They say if you have been exercising in a certain way for 6 months prior to pregnancy, then it should be fine to continue through your pregnancy as long as it is comfortable for you.
With weight training I would be a bit cautious, just because pg hormones soften your tendons and ligaments, and it can be much easier to pull something. Perhaps don't increase your current weights until you are sure if you are pg, and then speak to your gym instructor (do you go to a gym?) as they will have a good idea of what you can do when you are pg.
I have heard that tummy exercises should be cut down on during pg. Some people say stop them straight away, and others say they are fine to do until the end of the first trimester, so maybe check on that too.
WRT your heartrate, this also is debatable. Some say its a rule not to go over 140 (I have also read 160), yet I have also heard that a good indicator might be exercising at a level where you can still talk without being puffed out. It is very important to not overheat though, so drink lots of water and take breaks if you need it.

When I fall pg I will continue to go to the gym as much as possible, but I will ease up in the intensity of my workouts. My HR tends to get fairly high, and when I keep it under 140 it feels like I am not doing anything worthwhile! I will see how I go though, as when pg your HR can be faster than normal, and you can also tire more easily. The danger is that if your HR raises, then your babies will too, and they are prone to hyperthermia (overheating).
HTH!

[sushee]

There are various thoughts on the subject, women who believed that they fell pg because they lay in bed for two weeks and 'allowed' their embryo to implant, and yet others who think you should go about your daily life.

I have tried both, and I now actually firmly believe that you should go about your usual routine. In fact it is believed that the increased blood flow from exercising is helpful tp implantation, so both schools of thought have their pros and cons.

[Ltl Panda]

Thanks Girls
Well my further research just leads me to the conclusion that exercise is very beneficial for me and as long as I am sensible I should be ok.

[Lissie]

I believe you should do what feels right for you both physically and mentally - our bodies are designed to tell us when enough is enough so i say just listen to your body and it will let you know - to many of us ignore what our bodies are telling us. Good luck with it all and hope your have a happy and healthy preg.

[runnermum]

hi LIt Panda,
This is a topic close to my heart. When I concieved my first child, it happenned within 3 months and without IVF. I am a competitive middle and long distance runner and had been for about 2 years prior. When I found out I was pregnant, I sought the advice of a female sports doctor. Her advice was to keep running, but as I did not have a heart rate monitor, I was to run NOT to exhust myself, but just run.

So I keep running right up to the day before my baby was born......at the end it was a shuffle, but even at 7 months pregnant, I was joining in 10km fun runs and even at 9 months pregnant I did a 5km fun run.....it was for FUN. I think the hardest part was the first 12 weeks not the rest of the time, as I was very tired so that is when I took walk breaks.

The other ladies have very good advice. I also believe that you do not have to give up running - particularly if you are a regular runner. just listen to your body. If it needs a rest -let it rest. If you feel like a run or go to the gym - then go and enjoy. You sound like a very fit lady and it is an outlet for your stresses and emotional wellbeing.

I have just done my first cyle of IVF for our second child, as we did not seem to have the same luck naturally like our first child. I kept my heart rate about 140-145 or lower after my transfer- which is fine for swimming and cycling (I took up triathlons after our first baby!!) but running is frustrating as this only really allows me to do easy to moderate runs.

I admit to doing less since being on IVF - it just seems more precious and I took my first conception and pregancy for granted - this time, well...it seems different.

So advice? well, LISTEN to your body...don't go overboard, but don't feel as though you have to constantly miss out on workouts either - you are fitter than the average woman, and your body is used to this level of activity.

Lastly, it is great to hear from other women who are athletes like me - I posted on another forum and felt alienated and judged. I love my sport and believe it is a real part of who I am - a lifestyle choice.

The very best of luck to you. I hope to hear from you again soon to hear how you are going.......are you pregnant or in the 2ww?

[Ltl Panda]

Ohh thanks ladies,
so happy I am not the only one that enjoys my running and frequent gym sessions. I am a certified Personal Trainer and currently doing a Bach in Health Science, but nothing really prepares you for pregnancy. Because we had to go through IVF, I though exercising would reduce our chances, but I have maintained my daily exercise habits, less intense though and wouldn’t you know it, we got a BFP yesterday (HPT), BT on Thursday though.

Runnermum I really admire you dedication to running, I hope I can maintain that level of fitness throughout my pregnancy. My heart rate has already increased, and just a light jog increases the heart rate way higher than recommended.

Hope you achive you BFP very soon Runnermum.

[runnermum]

Congratulations!! I am so happy for you. And thank you also for your kind words.

I really hope it all goes well for you. Enjoy being pregnant, it is a truly magical time...

[Ltl Panda]

Ohhhhh thanks runnermum.
Just a quick question, in your first pregnancy, you said you continued to run right through, did you have any belly tightness in your first couple of weeks. I have this pulling sensation on the right hand side of my belly, and today I attempted to do my usual 60 min cycling and had to stop half way as this feeling was getting tighter.
Maybe its too early, and should wait for things to adjust before I attempt my usual routines.

I would like to continue my usual stuff but so scared i might loose the bub.

[runnermum]

hi ltl panda,
It is hard to remember everything, but I did keep a training diary, and it looks as though I was I was doing all my usual running - 6 days a week. I do remember tightness and with all the changes your body is going through, it could be anything - I am certainly no expert.

The first 14 weeks are the most critical in a pregnancy...some say 12 but I think a little longer. If you are scared, you should tone things down, just for peace of mind, if nothing else. I certainly don't want to advise you want YOU should do.......you should do what is best for you, as every pregnancy is different and every woman is different.

Having said that, I went about my usual running (including long runs up to 90 mins (having been used to 2.5 hour runs), interval sessions and deep water running too!) and hardly had a problem. I even continued my strength (with light weights and my own increasing body weight) and yoga sessions.

However...I can totally now understand your fear of losing the baby - it may not be rational - as a miscarriage is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY to happen because you, as a very fit lady yourself., went for a run/cylcing. I was told by doctors that you have to be working out VERY hard and at HOT temperatures for a PROLONGED time to affect your unborn baby....

Maybe you need to talk to a sports doctor about excerise and pregnancy to get the facts......and keep your mind at ease. I went to the VIS (victorian institute of sport) and found a female sports doctor there very helpful - a mother, doctor and athlete herself.......(sorry cannot remember her name.)

Please feel free to post again with any questions - I am happy to talk about my experiences and help you have a happy and fit pregnancy !!

[Ltl Panda]

Thanks for that. I think I might contact the Vic Institute of Sport and have a couple off sessions with their trainers.

much appreciated.

[~Raven~]

Congrats Ltl Panda

When I conceived Mason I was doing regular pump classes and was totally exhausted after doing one. A couple of days later I got a BFP so I guess it affected my energy levels.

[lermshell]

Hi, I know this is an old thread but i am searching for information on competitive sport during pregnancy and after birth. i can gather from the previous posts i shouldnt stop what i am doing but i am concerned that my heart rate has been around 145ish whilst at the gym. what about after birth? I also play Baseball and i wondered how long after birth do i have to wait to play again? I have searched the forums and this is the closest i have found to my situation.

[Tish]

Hi all, I'm interested in resurrecting this thread too!

I'm at two days post transfer, and can't wait to get back into some riding, running or swimming soon. I'm still sore from the egg pick up, but I'd be interested to hear what people did early on in the two week wait? I want to give this little buddie every chance of sticking, but don't want to lose too much condition either.

I'm also interested in finding an obgyn that's a little more pro exercise than the drs I've encountered so far - hopefully I'll need one soon

I'm in Melb btw!

Tish
x

[runnermum]

hi Tish,
I found your post! You sound like you are a triathlete and runner like myself. I hope all is going well. So this is a FRESH embryo transfer - the first after your egg pick up? if so, I would be a little more careful, as your body is still very much adjusting to the changes from producing all those eggs, then having them taken out/light surgery....

My obgyn is Jim Tstalas who is from Melbourne IVF - you can get a referal from your GP probably. He told me take it easy the first day of transfer (from a frozen embryo and not just after egg pickup) and then resume as normal with my training. He said there is NO FIRM evidence about keeping heart rates under 140....

I tend to keep it under 160 mostly AND I have this belief because my first born was concieved while I trained HARD in the 2WW !!

I hope to hear from you again, as it is so nice to hear of someone like myself who is also trying to get pregnant while also trying to keep a normal athletic /triathlete lifestyle. Having said this, I have had to give up many chances of races and modify training sessions because of IVF..........I am getting sick of not putting myself first sometimes, but on the other hand,I want so so so much a brother or sister for my child. It is not easy but I have learnt a lot about myself.

all the VERY best of luck to you.

[Tish]

Runnermum, hi!

Thanks for your reply.

Yes it was a fresh transfer, and I'm really taking longer to recover than I thought I would. I had rides planned for between PU and transfer LOL. Needless to say that didn't happen!!

My nurses have said it's OK to exercise as I normally would, but I'm not sure they really understand what I'd normally do. 150km+ ride? That's normal for me! LOL So it would be great to chat to someone that's on the same wavelength as me.

Before we started IVF i remember getting my HR to 140 and thinking surely this can't be it.... I think I naturally have a high heart rate, so I think I'll be setting 150-160 as my upper limit. I'm planning to ease back in to everything, maybe a bit of a spin on the trainer - not sure if it's the drugs but I'm getting VERY antsy.

I understand what you mean re pulling out of events etc. Hopefully it is short term pain for long term gain It can be hard, and you feel like your body belongs to everyone but you. Where are you at in your IVF journey?

Thanks for the Dr's name, I'll look into it!

my first born was concieved while I trained HARD in the 2WW !!

Mmmmmm training hard... I miss it!

I still don't know how to PM.

Lermshell sorry to have hijacked your thread

Tish
x

[runnermum]

Tish - to send a PM you clink on my user name and you will see a place there to send a PM....I just worked it out myself. !! would be nice for us to chat !!

[Tish]

Finally figured it out, message sent!