Running and conception - your thoughts pls

[allchatnicknamesgone]

Hi everyone,

When I decided I wanted to try for another baby, I decided to take up running to make me fitter to carry a baby and hopefully bounce back sooner after birth. Well, 9 cycles later, I'm still running but haven't had a sniff of a Bfp.

So, knowing that I ovulate and have regular cycles, I decided to go and see a reflexologist. The first thing she said is that I have to stop running because its too high impact and I should substitute it for swimming, cycling etc. I have always wondered during the 2ww if I was jiggling everything around too much!

Of course, I know there are marathon runners like Paula Radclifee who have had children, but I'd be interested to hear other people's views and opinions.

I'm on Cd5 today and went for my last run this morning. Little gutted. Thinking of new brisk walking routes I can do.

Any stories or just thoughts, please do join the thread.

Thanks.

I conceived my second baby two weeks after running a half marathon. It was only my second cycle of trying so there was one cycle previously where I was training and running loads where I didn't conceive so its difficult to say.

I ran the half marathon on CD5 and then ovulated (late) on CD 23. During the 2WW I think I only did two or three easy 5k runs as I was giving myself a break from training so not running much.

As soon as I found out I was pregnant I stopped running but I miss it dearly and can't wait to get back to it. How much are you running? I would say gentle 5ks 3 times a week would be ok and not too excessive?

Yep, I go running about 3 times a week. Not sure how far, but its less than 5k each time I should think. What is excessive though? I sweat and obviously and push myself, but I'm no marathon runner.

As annoying as it is, I'm definitely going to stop for the time being and see if I can get that Bfp!

Too high impact? I just don't see what that would have to do with that personally. I can see if you were running at the sort of levels that meant your body fat was dropping below the normal range etc, it might compromise your fertility but otherwise I can't see the problem. I'd go to your GP and ask their opinion too.

I was running when I conceived btw, but you don't need anecdotes, you need evidence here I reckon.....

I'm sorry, this is ridiculous.

I'm sorry you've not managed to get pregnant yet OP but I cannot believe the amount of random crap that's given to women. Where is the evidence for this? Too high impact for what? Fertilisation? Implantation? How does that make any sense whatsoever? Ben Goldacre would have a field day. What is this reflexologist's qualifications, exactly? I feel like people like this are just preying on people.

It's bad enough how draconian people get with pregnant women, but now it's spilling over to women who aren't even pregnant yet. Running is completely healthy. Unless you were underweight and exercising excessively (less than 5k 3x a week is NOT excessive, it is the equivalent of what everyone should do) this can only help your general health and put you in a better place for a pregnancy. There's no reason to give up running in pregnancy either until it gets uncomfortable.

It must be tough and you must be frustrated. How old are you? Might be worth making an appointment with your GP (they usually want you to have been trying for a year unless you are over 35) and seeing if there is any medical reason why you are struggling.

Up to a year (even 2) is quite normal though for a fertile couple… doesn't make it any easier.

Good luck - I really hope you get some success soon.

Have you lost a lot of weight since previous baby?
Have cycles changed?

Hey allchat....I would have thought running is ok when ttc, however I have read that you shouldn't drastically change your keep fit routine when ttc. I think you're fine if you've always gone running.

A girl in my office who does a lot of running and has ran marathons has recently fallen pregnant, however she did cut back on her running a lot and went cycling more. I don't know if the 2 are linked.

Sorry....I don't know if my response is much use at all!!!

Been to GP. I've had the bloods and ultrasound and everything points to me being fine and I have 28/29 day cycle and ovulate in the middle.

I've lost weight in the last 2 years, but I am by no means skinny or underweight. I actually don't weigh myself as I just like to gauge how I feel if that makes sense.

Yep, reflexology could be a load of rubbish and I'm not really convinced myself, but I really wanted to try something different and positive rather than shagging and crossing my fingers every month.

Thanks for input. And I obviously didn't ask for scientific evidence or anything because its my choice whether I listen or not, I just wanted to hear other people's thoughts.

I'm sorry, I was thinking yesterday I was sounding a bit harsh. Completely understand you wanting to make a positive change. I was just saddened at you giving up something you loved that seems really healthy, I suppose.

Could you try a different diet - I don't mean cutting down food but just eating really clean- I always feel great when I eat super healthy and feel very holy. Or did the reflexologist have other suggestions? I reckon it is just the luck of the draw and if all is medically well with you (and you've already had one baby) you will get pregnant, it's just a matter of time. This does NOT make waiting easier though, obviously.

All the best and I hope it happens really soon.

I was at my fittest I've ever been (from running) as was training for a marathon when I found out I was pregnant with DS1. I was advised not to run the marathon which made sense but I still went for several runs (even a half marathon) in the early stages of my pregnancy. It was only once the nausea took over that I cut back and then once I felt better again I did feel I had been off running too long to run with a bump (but I did brisk walking). I don't think there is any evidence to say that running would make it harder to conceive.

I had planned to run in a half marathon when 6 months pregnant but MW advised against it (mostly so I couldn't sue her if something happened to baby). As you said, Paula Radcliffe ran about 13 miles a day while pregnant but she is obviously an extreme example. If you can run 5k without being too out of puff then I would say it is fine - you just shouldn't push your body to extremes while TTC or while pregnant. But "extreme" is different for everyone... someone who never runs 5k might seem extreme but for me in my first weeks of pregnancy, I could run 13 miles easily.

There is a lot of articles out there about it on running sites and magazines and such but ultimately you have to decide which advise you want to listen to - much like most of the advice you get while pregnant!

Thanks guys. It's been really helpful reading your thoughts.

I think I may actually carry on. It makes me feel good about myself and although I sweat, its not like I'm going to pass out or anything. I also regain breathing really quickly, so I'm pretty sure I'm not exerting myself.

It just threw me a bit as I was upset to think I was maybe hindering myself getting pregnant.

Thanks MN! Always good for a bit of perspective.
X

Also, DP came for a run with me yesterday for the first time (as it was going to be my last time), and he said 'is this how fast you go?! You run like a snail!'
Ha.

I think it is unnecessary to stop running too, although I understand where you are coming from. I remember going for a 5km run the day before I got my bfp for DS1. I worked in fitness so was exercising all the time. With DS2 I had been exercising lots too prior to getting pg, although had an early mc, so at the actual time of conceiving I really didn't feel like running and was just doing long walks. I'd been pushing myself really hard on the treadmill before the mc (didn't know I was pg - we'd stopped ttc for a while), I'd I sometimes wondered if this contributed to the mc, but I think even that unlikely.

Now we are trying for DC3, like you nothing happening, but Ireally don't think that the short runs I do are affecting this, and it doesn't sound like you are setting any new PB's at the moment (no offence!). Not very scientific input, sorry! Funnily enough I'm about to try reflexology too - I wonder if she'll tell me not to run too?

Ah! Come back and tell me your experience of reflexology. It just felt like an expensive foot rub to me.
I think I'll do one cycle then maybe reassess.

I don't know if this will help, but I'm currently going through ivf and my clinic has told me to carry on with any exercise I already do as long as it doesn't cause me discomfort (sometimes ovaries can get swollen due to the drugs which can make high impact exercises a bit sore). I usually cycle 8 miles to work and back once a week, run 6k once or twice, do a Pilates class and sometimes swim 40 lengths. The nurses and consultant were both insistent that keeping active and keeping the circulation going throughout the cycle is very important. My acupuncturist has also said the same thing. In fact she told me off because due to the rain I hadn't done any running or cycling all last week!!

Also you can't 'jiggle' an egg or embryo out, the uterus isn't a cavity, the sides are touching. Think of a mustard seed in a jam sandwich.

Thanks Moggle. Good analogy.

Really glad I posted this. Feel a bit of a dick and also contemplating whether to go for another session of reflexology. Is it really for me?! Who knows!

You're not a dick at all - there's so much silly advice given to women, and we end up under massive pressure! The 'woo' about high-impact exercise sounds like rubbish to me. It has the suspicious whiff of 'common sense' pseudoscience about it, probably dreamed up by someone who didn't quite understand Moggle's point about the uterus.

My mum conceived my brother at a time in her life when she was winning half marathons

Good luck with the TTC!