Pregnancy & Baby Index: Trying to Conceive - TTC: Preparing to TTC: Will exercise adversely affect my chances of getting pregnant?
Will exercise adversely affect my chances of getting pregnant?
Lisa Stone
Will an exercise routine stand in the way of your pregnancy dreams? Lisa Stone, an ACE-certified Pre-and Post-Natal Fitness Instructor, has some information.
Your question
I am concerned about preconception and exercise. I exercise moderately and am trying to conceive. Will the exercise affect my chances of getting pregnant? - TaeJa, Indianapolis IN
The expert answers
According to research done by Dr James Clapp, author of
Exercising
Through Your Pregnancy, moderate (when you are breathing heavy and can carry on a conversation) to vigorous exercise (when you are breathing heavy, can carry on a breathy conversation but would rather not) should not affect your ability to conceive as long as you're having regular periods -- which means you're ovulating -- and are at a normal weight.
And, exercising now,
before you get pregnant, and continuing to exercise throughout your pregnancy, should reduce many of the negative symptoms of pregnancy -- like nausea, sleeplessness, shortness of breath, lower back discomfort or pain, and nasal congestion -- and also make for a shorter labor and quicker recovery. So, keep up the good work, and I'll be thinking pregnancy thoughts for you!
