Advice - Trying to get pregnant for the first time at 36

[Aliwannabemum]

We're going to start trying shortly (well, in the last couple of week's we've not exactly been careful but our "start trying date is after Easter")and I was after some advice really. I'm 36, I've been taking my pregnacare since January, I'm overweight (and currently working with a personal trainer, supplemented by gym sessions)but don't want to be a fat mum (blush), I want to be able to run around!!! I don't want to give up excercising (I do boxing and powerwalking) and I wondered if there are any real watch outs for exercising whilst I'm trying to conceive?

I'm quite excited but very nervous about the whole getting pregnant thing. I never realised how much I'd want it and now I'm wishing I hadn't given up on my fitness last year, I'd be months ahead but "we are where we are" and so having read the article in the Times magazine yesterday I thought I'd join Mumsnet and seek some advice.

[poppy34]

hi ali - welcome. Think there is no particular no nos on exercise when you're trying to get pregnant but could be wrong.

can I suggest that you look into one of the zita west books - they are really good on general all round exercise/diet etc when trying to conceive and I think quite a good blend of new age/medical. I found them really good when I was trying to conceive.

[TheWiltedRose]

Bloody hell if i exercized that much id be a size 10 by now You must be knackered!

No advice im afraid but sure lots will be along soon to offer some, Good luck!

[Smurfs]

Welcome to Mumsnet

There will be loads of people along with very good advice soon I am sure but generally I think a healthy balanced diet, moderate excercise - not sure what that is I did 4 spinning classes a week whilst trying to conceive, moderate levels of alcohol, early nights at or around ovulation time, no smoking blah blah blah....

Hard I know but forget about trying to make a baby and get on with having an interesting sex life, believe me once you have a couple of DC running riot around the house it will be a distant memory

[ilovebeinglazy]

Hi ali

I think you should avoid getting v overheated when newly pregnant but if you are already quite fit that shouldn't be a problem.

good luck

[Aliwannabemum]

Smurfs, thanks for that, I'm all for forgetting about the outcome and enjoying the moment!!! I'm looking forward to a productive and enjoyable few months. It's what follows that scares me. Anyway, the advice around exercising is very much appreciated, thanks,

[Anchovy]

If its any help, I had my first child at 37 and my second at 39.

I exercised with both of them - running, yoga and seeing my personal trainer (who was the only person other than DH who knew when I was in the early stages of pregnancy). My doctor's advice was not to do more than I had been doing previously - for example I was trying to train for a 10k and the doctor told me to ease off on that as I wasn't really very good. Only exercise that was forbidden was waterski-ing (water up your fanjo not being a good idea). Irrelevant in my case!

I suspect one should be a bit careful with pilates - although it is fantastic for getting in shape afterwards.

HTH!

[FenLondon]

Number 1 : don't believe the hype about over 35 taking longer! I'm 35 and we "started trying" last September, and blue-lined in November.
We had Zita's book, I confess to not following all the nutritional advice (couldn't quite cut back on the G&Ts during the trying phase...), but she's big on watching your underwear and timing the sex accordingly. Seemed to work pretty well for us.
Re the exercise - it would be a good idea to tell your trainer. I didn't tell mine I was trying, but he was among the first to know I was pregnant once I found out. He immediately scaled back the effort level - cardio work just brisk walking, and much lighter weights. All to avoid overheating really. We're picking up again now I'm further along.

[MrsMacaroon]

I know that the first time i got preggers i had started running again (after about 20 years of inactivity and sloth like behaviour), stopped smoking and cut down on caffeine etc. We'd spent ages trying before that 'casually' but after making a concerted effort it only took a few months. Must admit i stopped the running shortly after (lazy cow). This pregnancy I've kept so fit with looking after DC #1 that I've not really needed additional exercise. You could maybe try yoga and swimming as they're things that are great and easy during pregnancy. Happy shagging...remember to 'tilt' x

[MrsMacaroon]

I should add that I got pregnant first time at 34 this time...it took YEARS when I was younger, so there you go.

[Aliwannabemum]

Oh I'm giggling so much at the "tilt" comment, getting rather funny looks from hubby "are you on Baybo" again he keeps saying!!! I've shared with my trainer Si, so he knows we're going to be trying with a vengence shortly (ah bless him, it's a lot to share, but he took it all in his stride!). Guys I really appreciate all this, makes me feel not quite so alone in my thoughts.

[Excitable]

The best advice I can give you is relax. Loads of babies are born in September because more people have a holiday then than at any other time of year. Book somewhere really romantic so the world can stop for at least two weeks. Then s**g. Like rabbits. Then do it again.

[Miggsie]

I did loads of exercise before and after and had a hole in one straight away!
I was 36 as well.
Take the folic acid and don't drink.

[MrsMacaroon]

wish i had a trainer called 'Si'...

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Welcome Ali. This is a great place for advice, a chat and a laugh.

Good luck with the trying to conceive. I can recommend a bood called Taking Charge of Your Fertility, it enables you to recognise the fertile stages of your cycle. Thus making your shagging more productive (hopefully!)

[rachieM]

Hi, im 34 and have been trying to conceive since sept last year. As yet nothing seems to have happened but im dieting, doing lots of swimming and trying to relax. I did go through a spell of getting a bit obsessed, i was buying fertility monitors, timing the "baby dancing" and getting really down when i got my monthly. Some people just conceive at the drop of a hat but others can take up to and over a year, so just stay relaxed!

[rachieM]

I only just saw the date of the original post....bet you all got kids by now xx

[Adrianoska]

I am 36 and have two children (12 and 6). I now have a new marriage and I am desperate for a baby... But I have been trying for 3 months and nothing... Please tell me I will be ok? I eat healthy, don't ever smoke or drink... I took pregnacare conception but it made my cycles long. Now I ordered some ovulation sticks and fertility lube. We have loads of sex and I feel like a failure... Why is it so stressful? X

[IslayBrigid]

Limit/stop caffiene, keep active and eat well!
Charting your temp helps you figure out when you ovulate too! As does checking your knickers for your CM and the various changes.
I charted temp for a year as was using the natural cycles app for contraception, then got pregnant straight away once TTC. I know we were lucky but I do think it had to do with knowing when I was going to ovulate!
My mum got first time pregnant at 36 first time she tried, and I have friends who have too. Good luck! X

[IslayBrigid]

@Adrianoska you might not be timing it with ovulation properly? Ideally you need to BD 2 days before ovulation to give sperm time to get to the egg. A lot of women don't ovulate on day 14 as is typical. I suggest charting your temp (look up fertility friend) and the ovulation sticks should help too! But start BD as soon as you get a faint line (don't wait for a positive result) and keep going every second day until day after you get the positive line... X

[wondering7777]

I’m in my mid 30s, pregnant with my first and it took DH and I four months to conceive. I used the Flo app to track my cycles and fertile days, which seemed to work. I would definitely recommend. Good luck OP!

[Adrianoska]

Thank you guys! I am just so scared this time, I don't know why.... My partner is 30 years old, he is healthy and so am I. We have sex almost every day since we met (obviously not during the period etc) and we stopped using any protection 3 months ago. My cycles ard a little unregular so I can't wait to see what do ovulation sticks show. I am really hopeful... He is also so desperate for a baby it makes me want it twice as much!

[Adrianoska]

Did anyone here use any conception supplements? Lubes? Thank you

[IslayBrigid]

I used DIM and calcium d-glucarate for about a year for hormonal acne and they also regulated my cycles @Adrianoska they are a natural supplement that regulates estrogen and progesterone.
Also I've heard it's better to have sex every two days rather than every day for sperm quality!
Is your partner a drinker / smoker? It also helps for the guy to have a healthy lifestyle, it's not all on you!

[Adrianoska]

I did so much research and yeah... Every day is not bad either....
He never drunk or smoke in his life. He is super fit.
I want a baaaaabbbyyy!

[ckc45d10]

Others have mentioned a few good tips! Here is also a research article on diet and lifestyle for fertility in general: fertilityresearchandpractice.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40738-015-0003-4