Not so good news

[lorihart]

Hi Everyone,
I don't know if anyone remembers my most recent post.Of course they are about trying to get pregnate and then it was the up date of my husbands low sperm count.
We had to get him retested on Friday and we just got the results back today.They remained the same and everything is getting very complicated.They want to run test,take unlta sounds,see specialist,blood work......etc.I think the list goes on forever.
At the same time,the chances of getting pregnate aren't zero.We only have 50% chance, while others who are normal, have 100%.So we got involved with talking about what we CAN do in the meantime.
I asked him about my workout schedule.I told him that I don't run everyday but when I do it is 14kms,I also do high intensity aerobics and on a regular basis I do something everyday.He told me that I should completely STOP:-( Those are cry'in words.
Like everyone else on this forum, exercise is a big part of my life.Its like telling me I can only have 6 hrs sleep a night instead of 8hrs.Its like telling me to only brush my teeth once a day instead of 3.
He said that while your doing everying else right,its just as well that you throw that in there to.It will help increase the chances of getting pregnate but we could still be years trying.We aren't just talking about a couple of monthes here.
I know that a baby is one of the best things life as to offer.And I will probably give this a try but my heart is broke.I don't know what to do with myself.And I also have the new workouts pre-ordered.
I mostly wanted to write this to vent to people who understood.But did anyone else have to go thru this? Any words of wosdom would be greatly appreicated!;(
Lori

 

[Stacy-MN]

I've been there....

Hi Lori:

Here is my story, as I feel your pain. My husband and I got married and tried to get pregnant for 1 year on our own. After our 1st anniversary we went into the doctor as we were not getting pregnant and were concerned. First they had us doing the Basel method (taking your temperature and charting it so you can see when your ovulating and try them). They also put me on Clomid at that same time to help make sure that I ovulated. After several very frustrating cycles we moved onto another doctor who specialized in artificial insemination. At this point my husband was tested and his results came out normal. This is where all my tests came in. They did a tubal dye study to make sure that my tubes were open, and all was fine. Then they did procedure where they put me under and checked out everything the lining of the uterus, my ovaries, the tubes again were checked. And all looked fine. At this point we had tried for 2 1/2 years. So after 3 tries of artificial insemination we got a consultion with a specialist. This is the best thing we ever did!!! He is the 3rd best reproductive specialist in the country. He reviewed out file and told us we had a good chance for Invitro.

Regarding working out, my doctors only told me not to work out while I was taking medications to make me ovulate. Other than that they encouraged moderate exercises. You must also have a way to release stress as you aren't supposed to drink, smoke, or basically anything else. As a matter of fact the specialist told me it was best to be in great shape when you get pregnant.

After 4 LONG YEARS, we got pregnant with our first cycle of Invitro. We now have 2 wonderful boys.

If you want to discuss this more just let me know. I found a board for support as I really wanted and needed to talk to people who really understood! Infertility was the most painful thing my husband and I have been through, however when I was really sad I found that sharing my feelings and especially my frustrations really helped.

My advice: take charge of your care and if you have any questions ask and make then explain why or get a second opinion!

My thoughts are with you and your husband, things can work out!

Stacy-MN

 

[melanalyus]

RE: I've been there....

Lori, you're in my prayers. You're right,having a baby is an awesome miracle. A miracle that will be yours someday. Hang in there.

Melanie
Baby boy due 1/25/04

" Take care of your body like it will last a lifetime. Take care of your soul like it will last for eternity"

 

[CaroleFB]

It is a FACT that high intensity workouts can affect your hormones, and affect getting pregnant. I know many of us like to ignore that info, but it's true. I've read it in many places, from very reputable MDs.

Listen to your doctor, and cut down on the workouts. Try yoga and/or pilates instead. You will still get a good workout in, but it won't mess with your body's natural chemistry. You have the rest of your life to workout......

Carole

 

[Kathy02]

Carole, help!

Ok, I just read what you posted. I have been having trouble keeping a pregnancy with attempt at a second child. The only difference that I can see is that now I am working out. I try to keep working out when I get pregnant, even though I do get tired. Do you think this could be the reason for my miscarriages? I am really trying to figure this out because it is very heart breaking when I miscarry as you can emagine.
I am asking you this because of what you just posted. Where have you read this information?
I also agree that you do have the rest of your life to workout, it's just one of those things that is a little addicting for us, ya know. So this will be interesting if I decide to switch to lower intensity workouts.
Can you even do Aerobics, or should you just stick to the whole Pilates Yoga thing? I am thinking intermediate levels aerobics to clear things up a bit.
I'm very curious about this, any insight you have would be much appreciated. I'm guessing that you are not a doctor it's just that what you just said I' ve never heard before, and am thinking it may make some sence.
Thank you for your help!

kathy

 

[FitNut]

RE: Carole, help!

Oh Lori, Lori, Lori......sending you hugs {{hugs}} and fertility thoughts! Sorry you are going thru this. I can only imagine how hard it must be! Hang in there. You are right in that children are the best gift God can give us. Don't give up hope and know your efforts will be so worth it in the end. I remember being preggo with my first, being on strict bedrest from week 28 and thinking how hard it was! Now that I have my lil' angel I have totally forgotten every minute and every day that I sat or laid there bored to death on my couch. Someday soon you will too have a lil' bebe' in your belly and it will all be worth it! Just keep reminding yourself of the end result and the purpose of it all. Keep your faith and turn to God. He will give you the strength you need to get thru this time.

Now, about the workouts....uggghhh!! I can relate to how hard hearing the word "stop" must be. Is there any negotiating w/your doc on the term "stop"? Could you take down??? Maybe focus more on weights and only do cardio 1-2 days a week? Or maybe at minimum will he let you continue doing weights?

You have been working out so hard for so long I am sure you are in excellent shape anyway. Maybe a break will do your body good if that is what it comes down to. Take advantage of the time? Maybe go on a hike or two? Do something more outside? Can you ski where you live this winter? Maybe keep yourself busy with fun activities that you might forget you aren't working out so much? And of course there is always more SHOPPING! hee hee.....

Anyway, sending positive baby making thoughts your way. I will keep you in my prayers. Please keep us posted!

God Bless

 

[CaroleFB]

RE: Carole, help!

No, I'm not a doctor. I just like to research different areas related to pregnancy, exercise, nutrition, and breastfeeding. I'm pregnant with my 3rd child right now, week 13.

I think low-intensity aerobics are fine to do when trying to get pregnant, for the average, fertile woman. I have continued to do FIRM workouts, spinning, and weights 4 times a week. I also do yoga. However, I personally think that Cathe would have been too intense for me during the conception and pregnancy phases of my life. I chose to lower my intensity level.

In the case of the Lori, the person who started this thread, however, since her doctor said to stop working out and she's having trouble getting pregnant, she should do what her Dr. says.

As far as the hormones, the most recent place I read it was in a book called "The Schwarbein Principle". It's written by Diana Schwarzbein, M.D. She is an expert in women's health, specializing in metabolic health which includes the body's hormones. She says that intense exercise causes the body to release high levels of "stress hormones" including adrenaline and cortisol. Dr. Schwarzbein also states that adrenaline levels are "inversely proportional" to estrogen levels. Meaning that exercising too much can affect your body's female hormones.

Again, I'm no expert. This is just the information I have read. In her book, Dr. Schwarzbein recommends MODERATE exercise. Citing that 2 days of cardio and 2 days of weights a week is sufficient. She really recommends yoga and pilates too, as many as five times a week, since they build muscle tone without causing stress levels to rise in the body.

For the average female, you don't have to stop exercising, just modify and be smart about it. Of course there are exceptions, like aerobics instructors and people in top physical shape, who can continue intense exercise up until labor. However, I suppose even they would take things down a notch if they were having miscarriages and/or fertility problems.

Hope this helps.

Carole

 

[Kathy02]

RE: Carole, help!

Thank you carole! I am just at a loss right now, I know that this is Loris thread, and I have replied to her on a different forum, plus contacted my friend who went through the fertility problems to have her help her as well. So, maybe I won't seem like such a heal for not replying to her thread, just what you replied to.
What you said made sence to me, and there are many people that have told me that the next time around I either need to stop exercising (they aren't doctors, by the way) or tone it down a lot. I already felt like I was, but maybe I need to bring it down even more to even out my hormones. I really don't know if this is even the cause, it may just be that there was something wrong with both fetuses and I am jumping to conclusions. But at least this is something I have control over and can change if I need to.
Thank you for letting me know the book you read it in. I truely appreciate your help!

Oh, by the way you didn't make me feel like I was a heal, I felt that way on my own! I just needed to say that for my own sake!

Kathy

 

[CaroleFB]

RE: Carole, help!

Kathy,

Please also know that I in no way think the miscarriages were the result of you doing anything wrong. Most of the time they are due to chromosomal problems, which would have nothing to do with working out. However, it never hurts to be on the safe side next time.

Just follow your heart....

Carole

 

[LizN]

RE: My opinion

Lori,

The only thing I feel you need to do is make sure that you are ovulating each month. You can do this by using the Billings Method or using an ovulation test kit (you can buy these from your pharmacy). If you are ovulating each month then the volume and intensity of your exercise regime is probably OK.

However, if you are not ovulating - you can still be getting a period every month and not ovulate, it would probably be an idea to reduce your total exercise volume by about a third and see what happens. You may also find it useful to get a hormone profile done mid month to see what's happening.

In my experience, if your hubby's sperm count is low, you may need to seek artificial insemination/assisted conception methods.

In my book, being in good shape before falling pregnant is paramount - it can save you from lots of aches and pains and has a protective effect on the developing baby (see Dr Clapps book).

good luck!

Liz N

PS - Melanie if you read this, I'm a pharmacist too