My Journey with Cushing’s disease
At 30 years old, I was fit, healthy and naturally a size 8–10. I knew my body well, which is why, when it started to
You know that you want to workout. You know you want to control everything you can control and maximize your chances of having a baby. But there is one problem. Every time the two week wait comes round you panic; should you work out? Will it affect a possible pregnancy? Or could it even help with implantation? In the end, the decision fatigue and uncertainty normally means you end up doing nothing at all and spend your entire two week wait on Google, symptom spotting. It’s so hard to know what to do.
The good news is, I’m here to help!
Working out in the two week wait (as long as your doctor gives the go ahead) is a fantastic way to increase blood flow to the uterus, manage your BMI and support your mental health. The NHS (National Health Service in the UK) recommends keeping up with normal physical activity when trying to conceive, the premise being simple: exercise is good for you. In addition to this, multiple studies have now shown the benefits of exercise before and during pregnancy and acknowledge that “regular moderate-intensity physical activity during pregnancy is strongly associated with beneficial pregnancy outcomes.
So, if you are looking to exercise during the stressful two week wait, here are my top tips to keep you active and keep your mind occupied!
When working with my clients during the two week wait, I give them workouts that are designed for early pregnancy. This means we manage their heart rate and temperature, whilst being careful not to include jumping or twisting movements, especially those that involve the abdomen and uterus area.
Aim to keep your intensity in the moderate range, so around a 6/10 or at a level you can talk at. This should in turn keep your heart rate at a moderate level, and avoid putting too much stress on your cardiovascular system.
And then hydrate some more! Get your giant water bottle, fill it up, and have it with you at all times. Make sure you drink regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Dehydration is a serious medical condition and it can be especially dangerous in early pregnancy.
This is not just for the physical side of exercise, but also the psychological side. The cool down allows you to focus and be mindful of your body, and actively relax. We know that the two week wait is extraordinarily stressful, so the cool down in your workout is a fantastic opportunity to try and lower this stress.
Don’t just “dial it in” when you work out. You really need to focus on your workout and give it your full attention. Really listen to how your body is feeling. If you are unusually exhausted, nauseous or experiencing discomfort, then it is perfectly acceptable to slow down, lower the intensity of the workout or reschedule it to the next day.
It is possible to workout during all stages of your trying to conceive, the key thing is listening to your body and finding the right workouts for you. Good luck to everyone, and I hope your two week wait ends with a lovely positive test!
References:
Bhattacharjee, J. “Does exercise during pregnancy impact organs or structures of the maternal-fetal interface?” Tissue and Cell, vol. 72, no. 101543, 2021. sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0040816621000598
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