Exercise after having previous MC's

[Frazzlerock]

Hi there,

I usually like to run and do a quite intense work out DVD fairly regularly. We had two MCs two years ago and are TTC again. I've started using an ovulation detection app/device and have had ovulation confirmed. Now I am really scared of doing too much just in case we have a little developing bean in there. I know that exercise is generally good for pregnancy and there are lots of benefits, but when you've had a MC you can't help but wonder if it is something that you've done.

I want to do everything I possibly can to ensure I can keep hold of our next baby.

What do you think about exercise after ovulation? Will running and intense workouts hinder our chances? I stupidly keep thinking the jumping around will make it hard for any fertilised egg to do what it needs to do

Firstly im so sorry youv been through that... this is probably different for everybody but iv had 3 MC in the last 18 months (now successfully 28 weeks pregnant with my rainbow baby after taking aspirin every day from ttc 4th time) ... i was 27 at the time of my 2nd MC now 28 and was so low and pulling my hair out as to why because im young healthy and dont do anything i shouldnt have.

Obviously i went on to find out asprin was needed after MC number 3 but i was told by midwives and doctors that i shouldn't do any excessive exercise other than walking, yoga and light swims when i find out im next pregnant (now) until im well into my 2nd trimester and know all is well with baby!!... iv actually chosen to do nothing apart from walking as im too scared and not that into fitness anyway!

I think its one of those things that changes depending on who you speak to but id say go with your gut, and if your a little apprehensive about it ... maybe do some speed walking and see how you get on?!

SENDING YOU THE BEST OF LUCK!!!

TECHNICALLY any exercise you do pre TTC is fine to continue whilst TTC and in early pregnancy/ until you feel unable to do it. HOWEVER whether you would feel comfortable doing it and whether if you had another miscarriage you would blame yourself for continuing to exercise are two completely different things!

Miscarriages are mostly caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. A small few by inhospitable environments (lack of womb lining, immune issues, insufficient progesterone etc), and a smaller number by other factors but usually biological to either the embryo or mother. Very rarely are they caused by external factors, and usually these are blows to the stomach or back and often after 8 weeks in these cases.

Thank you @LJFM2B I am armed with baby aspirin and a two month course of progesterone (I have PCOS) for when (if) I get my BFP. I had thought that I was supposed to take the aspirin immediately while TTC, but I have since discovered that I should wait until BFP?

I think you are right about going with my gut. Perhaps I should stick to the more intense exercise in the first half of my cycle then tone it down in the second. At least now I know when I am ovulating.
I did some intense exercise this morning and then spent the whole day so far worried.
I am so sorry you've experienced MC too. I am so pleased for you that you are where you are now. I feel like its a distant dream for me, but the first hurdle of DP giving us the go ahead to TTC again has been crossed so that is a huge weight off my shoulders.

@overagain thank you for your advice, that all makes sense. I worry about all sorts. I feel like the innocence of TTC and pregnancy has been taken away from me. We lost our sweet babies at 9 weeks (MMC and completely unaware that there was a problem until the scan), and the second one at about 4/5 weeks. I am sure I didn't do anything but it is always in the back of my mind. What if I hadn't lifted those heavy bin bags when moving? What if I didn't go to the gym? what if, what if... So this time I notice every single little thing.

I just want to be able to conceive and have a happy baby like everyone around me seems to so easily.

I appreciate your responses, very helpful thank you

Im not a medical professional and i can only tell you what happened with me and i took aspirin from TTC this time round and im/were healthy and good!! ... my doctor said if it took me months to conceive again she might advise against taking it every day while not pregnant but seen as getting pregnant wasnt an issue she said it was best i took from TTC!

I also have PCOS but for some reason progesterone wasnt something they offered but SIL had that and has 2 lovely kiddies.

HONESTLY i genuinely thought this was not going to happen to me and although loving being pregnant and now being in the 3rd trimester im actually still always worried !! ... I do try not to let things stress me out but just make sure when it happens (which im very sure it will very soon) you make sure the doctors are on top of you ... early scans, extra scans and bloods etc ... you may have to chase but go for it! once babies here you can leave them alone haha.

Agree with your thoughts on exercise - gut feeling is whats got me to the point im at now, and i had/have no explanation as to why i thought things but i now believe in gut instinct more than anything. Dont give yourself any reason to worry or doubt - you dont need it as added stress :)

Good luck with TTC i hope this time next month your looking at 2 lines ... and hey if you do - you might be able to announce on christmas day ... sorry to run before walking but i get excited about these things.

I had a MMC in March. During the pregnancy and for the 2 years previous I had been doing crossfit 3 x a week. I am 7 wks pregnant with our rainbow baby and I'm avoiding it until the 2nd trimester. Even then I'm going to go very easy, if it all. I'm considering just doing something very low impact instead. It isn't worth going through that again.

Fingers crossed for your BFP!