Anyone TTC?

[mlmccauley]

I don't post very much, mostly a lurker, but I LOVE my Cathe workouts. I have been trying to conceive for a year and a half, which I know may not be much compared to the difficulty others may have had TTC, with no success (a miscarriage back in September). My problem is I am having a hard time maintaning a workout regimen, especially during the two-week wait. Has anyone else had a hard time working out while TTC? I don't necessarily think the exercise is causing me any infertility issues but I can't help wondering in the back of my head. How did you not let the whole TTC process consume you? Thanks for your thoughts.

Maria

 

[JulieL]

How did you not let the whole TTC process consume you?


Well honestly I had good months and bad months. What I was noticing was I wasn't pushing myself as hard in my workouts for months until about 2 months before I got pregnant this time. I made myself realize it was taking longer than I thought it would and better not "let myself go". So I started concentrating on fitness goals and tried to make that my focus not so much the tww. Side question are you charting your cycles? If not I highly suggest it.

info on charting: www.fertilityfriend.com

Good Luck!

 

[mlmccauley]

Thanks. Yes, I have the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". I have been temping and charting for 16 cycles now, and using Fertilty Friend. It has been a great help as it showed I have a potential Luteal Phase Defect (11-12 days). I have been working with my OB, have been diagnosed with mild endo (after a lap), have been on Clomid for 3 cycles, and about to start a 4th (I think), not sure I want to move on to IVF etc. I'm at a point where I'm not sure I can take the emotional roller coaster anymore. My exercise routine has deteriorated because of fear of working out and I miss it soooo much. It has always helped my mood (must be the endorphins). Just wondering what other people's experiences may have been. Thanks again.

 

[JulieL]

RE: Anyone TTC? - Autumn some insight?

Unless your working extra hard like a competitive athlete and have such low body fat that you don't menstrate then I don't see a problem with exercising and ttc and never read anything that made mention of that either. Exercising is good for your body to be healthy and fit. It's proven the other end is bad for ttc - being overweight can hinder fertility. I would ask your OB this, but I'm confident she would say the same thing to you. Autumn on this forum is an NP (nurse practitioner) and she may be able to shed more light on this. Have you talked to and RE to see if you really have to go the IVF route next. It could be that an RE could see more possibilities for you than your OB. Some good friends of mine who have had fertility issues put it to me this way: OB's are in the business of delivering the baby, and RE's are in the business of getting you pregnant. I would go as far as to say OB's don't know the extensive ins and outs of fertility like and RE, unless they have a background in RE already. Just my 2 cents and I don't know a lot ;-) , but it couldn't hurt to just talk to one - or maybe you already have. I wish I could tell you it's not stressful ttc but you already know it is. I would take a deep breathe and not let your life end because you are ttc. Do yourself a big favor and concentrate on doing what you know is best for your body and enjoy it. HTH even a little.

 

[autumn]

HI Maria! First, let me say I am sorry you are having difficulty TTC!!! I have been there, and it is an emotional roller coaster.

I second Julie's advice about the RE. Let me tell you a brief history. I had post-Depo amenorrhea for two years... followed by 2 cycles of Clomid thru my OB/Gyn office... then about 6 months after the last Clomid cycle we conceived our DD. When I was prescribed the Clomid through the OB/Gyn office, I was instructed to use OPKs (ovulation predictor kits) and chart my temps.

In 2002, I miscarried. This was followed by 3 cycles of properly timed intercourse and no pregnancy. I decided to consult with an infertility clinic. The clinic is the only one of its kind the US, it is owned by an RN. I like to support my fellow RNs , so I chose this clinic. I did 3 cycles of Clomid, vaginal ultrasounds, & IUIs (intrauterine inseminations). The ultrasounds confirmed follicles, helped time ovulation, and allowed my uterine lining to be measured. My uterine lining was very thin on the Clomid, which is important info. The IUIs let the nurse see how my cervical fluid responded to the Clomid (some months good, some months not so good). The IUIs also let my DH sperm be assessed each cycle, and we learned some interesting info about his body (don't want to start some urban legend .

After 3 cyles, I had a diagnostic lap. My tubes were checked too. Like you, I have endometriosis. The right ovary was adhered to the underlying tissue. After the lap, we tried 2 or 3 more cycles of clomid (follistim was added the last 2 cycles I think). Oh, and some months ovulation was induced with a boost (HCG injection). We decided to take a break, and my first cycle I conceived.

I never changed my exercise habits while TTC. I did Cathe the entire time. It really did help me with the stress of TTC. I don't have sound advice on not allowing the TTC process to consume you. It is impossible not to think about it when “timing is everything”. It may be helpful to find support. I found it helpful to discuss my feelings and frustrations with women sharing similar experiences. The clinic actually had support group meetings.

Here is a link to a TTC resource you may find helpful. There are many others. There is a discussion board for just about anyone. It may help to connect with others going through this.

http://www.tryingtoconceive.com/

A couple of other information sites:
http://www.inciid.org/
http://www.asrm.org/index.html

If I can answer any other questions, feel free to ask.


I wish you luck!!!!!

 

[cathykazbar]

Hi Maria,

My husband and I just started TTC so I had to click on your post ! I went to massage school with a physical therapist who was having trouble conceiving. She told us about a physical therapist in FL, Belinda Wurn, who was doing a type of massage to help w/fertility. My friend went to the clinic and she ended up getting pregnant. I do not know too much about the treatment other than it is a nonsurgical technique ... but thought I'd pass on what I know. I am not sure where you are located but here is the website if you are interested:

http://www.clearpassage.com/Infertility1.htm

Good luck to you!
Cath

 

[FiddleFit]

Hi Maria,

It took me a long time to conceive a second baby, and I can relate to how you're feeling. For us, the problem was a result of my irregularly-lengthed cycles, and once I finally started charting we were successful. But I do remember that by time I finally got pregnant again, I was on the verge of throwing in the towel on TTC. I was tired of having to live like a pregnant woman for those two weeks, even though I wasn't pregnant (no alcohol, taking prenatal vitamins, not dieting to lose the extra couple of pounds I managed to pick up, etc). For me personally I toned down my Cathe workouts a tad during the speculated implantation phase, just to allow my body to concentrate on achieving a strong implantation (there's no medical advise for this, as far as I know. I just did it because it made me feel better about the process).

For us, had we not finally conceived when we did, we would have stopped trying. The stress was driving me nuts, I wasn't getting any younger, and since we already had one beloved DD, we felt we could happily live with being a one-child family. I don't have any advice about how to get through this difficult time, but I wanted to let you know that I can relate to how you're feeling. It's very stressful. I hope you are successful very soon!!

Sandra

 

[cocoloco]

Hi Maria
I'm sorry to hear you've had problems trying for a baby (((())))

My DH and I have been ttc for a couple of years now but over that time experienced 4 m/cs during the first 2 trimesters. The whole TTC process has had a seriously negative impact on my exercise regime and although my specialist said I was OK to continue with my current workout programme I'm afraid hi impact is something I mentally cannot bring myself to do. My specialist has reassured me that exercise isn't the cause of the M/Cs but I have a mental block over this issue and cannot even contemplate hi impact during pregnancy or even the 2ww. So each month during the 2ww I change my entire W/O schedule and use Cathe's Basic Step, Body Fusion and a modified version of High Step Circuit DVDs all of which are beginner/intermediate level. I also drag out my Cher Fitness, Kathy Smith and Keli Roberts earlier step tapes for variety. All of these w/o give modifications so there's no thinking about what moves to replace with a lower impact version.

Then if I'm unlucky and haven't "caught" that month, on cycle day 1 I cheer myself up by doing a really hard Cathe workout as a pick me up then plan my W/O schedule for the next 16 days (until ov) incorporating the workouts I hope to not be able to do again for another 9 or so months! This is the only way I can stay sane from one month to the next!

Hang in there, try not to stress about it all.

Good luck!
Coco
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