Cystic Fibrosis - Exercise - Pregnancy

[Jennifer1981]

I have read all the posts I could find on pregnancy with Cystic Fibrosis on this forum, and I have one question that I could not find the answer to.

Of all the CF moms out there, were you exercising regularly when you conceived? If so, what was your exercise routine?

My husband and I had tried to conceive for about 8 months with no luck. Then I was sick for a while, so we stopped trying. Now, we aren't sure if we should try again or adopt. I am doing better and walk/running about 2 miles a day 5 days a week. Is that a good idea? I was doing that before too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[wanderlost]

I was only practicing yoga with thsi pregnancy. I say keep exercising - it isn't usually harmful at all to pregnancy and the better shape you're in when you get pregnanct the better off you'll be!

 

[irishgirl]

We have been trying to get pregnant for about 2ish years. I am exercising regulaly. I walk/jog anywhere from 2 to 4 miles a day. I almost always do 2. If I get off work early or something, I will go walk again and do two more. I am also on a pretty strict 'diet'. I use that term loosely--I am just referring to what I do and do not eat.

We are in the middle of infertility land. But, we are going to keep on trying for about 3-4 more months using the Robitussin diligently ( have you heard of this? I can't remember which posts it was on, but Julie and some of the other pregnant girls told me about it.) Anyway, my doc said to do that. And, then if nothing has happened we will try for an IUI. So, I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be soon. I'm running out of patience! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Good Luck!
Sending lots of babydust your way! *******
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Scarlett81]

good for you! That is an awesome exersize routine. I say, as long as you are getting regular periods and ovulating-(you know you can use the at home ovulation monitors to see)-then keep it up. I only say that b/c if you aren't regular with your cycle, strenuous exersize could affect it.
My doctor said that at least 45 minutes of a good sweat 3-4 times a week is good.
I think stress level is very important too. Keep the stress level to a minimum.

Who knows, maybe we'll be pregnant together?!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[lovingBenandCambree]

I exercised pretty much throughout my pregnancy until I got really sick. The only caution is to not get your heartrate, I believe over 140. So you do need to monitor and make sure that you are staying on track that way. This is advised for all pregnant women, not just CF women. Good luck!

 

[irishgirl]

That would be so awesome if we were all pregnant together! We could be all hormonal and stuff at the same time. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I'm sending all the TTC girls tons of babydust.
Here's hoping for some BFP's in August! <img src="i/expressions/beer.gif" border="0">

Who is trying to conceive right now? I know wanderlost and Julie are pregnant right now. Who else is pregnant and who is trying? Anyone know?

Sorry for hijacking your post. Christian got me excited over maybe being pregnant at the same time.

Now I am going to go exercise......and think baby thoughts....

<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all your responses. I just wasn't sure if exercise would prevent pregnancy, since we have such a hard time already. We are considering trying again in like two months. After we get back from our vacation, and my lungs are back to normal 100%. I just came off IV's this month after 2.5 years free so I think now would be a good time to try again.

Irishgirl, I heard of the Robitussin. What dose of it do you take? How many times a day? You take just the plain formula, right? I was thinking of trying that.

It would be nice to be pregnant at the same time. Someone else who can really related to you. I don't personally know anyone, outside of this site, that has CF yet also with children.

But, yeah, we still want to try. Not to brag, but my FEV1 is 80%, and I'm not diabetic. I have mild CF and on hardly any meds. Why shouldn't I try? My husband's not a carrier. And it shouldn't hurt me or the baby. Plus, I run 2 miles a day. I know many are against it. I understand. For years, I told myself I would never try, but then I met my husband. Everything changed. Not to mention, we checked into the adoption process. Who has $30,000 to adopt an infant from Guatemala, or $20,000 and 2 years to adopt from the U.S. Not to mention, the parents in the U.S. can choose the adoptive parents. We looked into the SWAN program, but for a healhty infant you'll wait years and years. To fost-adopt, you'll get an infant, but to have a child ripped away from me, would be too much to bear. Have any of you looked into other options? I know one of you mentioned IVF. I don't really want to do that, though. I'm just disgusted, in general, with the whole adoption/foster care system. I went to many meetings to educate myself, but it's all the same. $$$$$$ - TIME. It's CRAP!!! So many kids need homes.

Sorry to keep going on about that. It just really bothers me. So, I'd rather keeping trying. In my opinion, there are few options to adopt an infant if you are a 24-year-old couple without millions in the bank and lots of unnessicary (spelling) time. Thanks for listening.

Jennifer 24/w CF

 

[wanderlost]

Jennifer
My health is about the same as yours - and I am on baby #2 - don't let anyone keep you from making a choice that may b ethe greatest choice you could make! And keep trying. it took us 18 months to concived this one (and an IUI), but the first was a one shot deal!

 

[monique6]

Hi. I am Monique with Cf at the age of 41! Anyway, I have 4 kids. I went thru all the infertility stuff too. I couldn't get pregnant on my own. My oldest child is 13 and she was my first IUI. I went thru 3 more (miscarried on the 3rd) and then waited the 3 months. My husband and I said let's try one more time and we did and got pregnant with triplets! My triplets are going to be 11 in a week. I don't think I could of got pregnant on my own. The mucus is really thick by the cervix and sperm can't get thru. I had the IUI done with the triplets. My triplets were born 3 months early. Anyway, if having kids is what you want to do, I would highly recommend it. My CF doctor gave me the ok and here I am. God definitely answered my prayers. <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[Scarlett81]

Hi Monique-
thanks for sharing-wow you sound like quite a story.

Do you mind me asking what your pft's are around? You must be doing pretty good to be caring for triplets and yourself! What is your secret?<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

For all-I just hope that everyone keeps on taking as good care of themselves as they have to just have gotten them to this point. Think about it-we can even <i>consider</i> havin babies!! Its incredible!
I got the news from my doctor a 1 1/2 months ago that I am healthy enough to try and I still can't believe it. I never thought I would ever have this option.
You know, people will tell anyone for any number of reasons not to do something. The important thing is, you be educated about it, fully accept whatever risk or extra work it entails for having cf, and go forward.
I for one want to enjoy this time in my life and really reflect on the fact that this is about to happen for me. That I can even consider doing this. And not focus solely on the whole cf side of it-all the medical/facts/pills......you lose your excitement if that's all you think about. I think I started to do that for a while-b/c I just wanted to listen to everything everyone told me. But I didn't think about the emotional side of being a mother enough-and the happiness of all this.

So, Jennifer 1981-My advice to you is, you are healthy enough to even think about conceiving-treasure that!! Stay healthy, exercise, and remember all women's bodies are different. It takes some women a year to conceive. Hang out a little while. Take little bits and pieces of advice from here and there, but listen to your heart first.<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0"> I hope you have a good cf care team-they help immensly. And maybe consider a OB/GYN with experience in cf. I have mine in NYC and she's awesome. Having one with that cf connection helps so much.

Stay positive everyone! Next year we'll replace Britney Spears on the cover of Harper's Bazaar-we'll be the pregnant cf mommies with our glamourous shots!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif" border="0">

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Everyone,

Wow, Monique. That is amazing!!! Congratulations! Just one quick questions - what is an IUI? It has been mentioned a few times in this thread. Is it like IVF? I know what IVF is. To find out that the mucus was too thick by your cervix, did you have an exam for that? I'm not trying to be graphic or gross, it's just that I went to a OB/GYN doctor 9 months ago. It was for a consultation. He never did an internal. He just said that," Oh, you have great weight, BMI, and lung volume. You should have no problem conceiving." I was on the pill for 8 years. I've been off now for 1 year and have an appointment with my regular GYN. They would know by an exam, right? Maybe that's my problem? I know I need to wear pantiliners almost everyday.

To Scarlett - Thanks for all the support. I appreciate it. I'll be there to support you too. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[irishgirl]

I can not believe you had triplets! That is amazing!!! I'm with Christian on not focusing soley on the cf part. I know you have to weigh the risks etc..., but I was driving myself nuts with the 'should I' or 'shouldn't I'. I don't want my health to go down etc... Finally I made up my mind--and I stopped spending every waking minute googling 'cf and pregnancy'. I listened to my heart and I know I will be able to have a baby. I am so excited. 3 more months of on our own trying and then we will do an IUI. I can't wait. It has been two very long years, and to know it is this close is so very exciting.

You are right let's knock Britteny off that cover. All of us cf mommies/soon to be mommies need a cover spread. In the words of Paris Hilton--"We're hot" <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">

Well girls go Baby dance your hearts out <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
I'm cheering for everybody too. <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
Anyone hoping for a BFP in August????? I know I am!!!!

 

[JohnnaMarie]

Irishgirl:

Keep trying girl! It took me three months to concieve our child. I just had to find the right man. <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0"> (I was in relationships before and never got pregnant. I actually thought that I could not get pregnant for many years ) It took us years to really decide if we wanted to try to have a child. I was just about convinced I could not and did not want to feel sad if I couldn't. I think stress was the factor that was the biggest for me. I stopped working altogether and took it easy. Then, it did not take us long at all. It was such a huge choice because a child is such a blessing, but such a life change. Now, we can't wait for ours to be born.

My pfts are now at about 116%. The baby is taking up a bit of space for me now. They were at 125% last month. This has been a big baby growth month for me.

I wish I had gotten into a bit better shape before getting pregnant in a way. I was probably in about the best mental and physical shape I have ever been in , but I wish that I had gotten physically in better shape. But, I am sure we all think that we should be in better physical shape.

Right now, I do stretching and some walking. We had been taking evening walks before it got so HOt!! NOw I am wondering if I won't go to my parents a few times a week to use their treadmill while it is soo hot! I need to stay in shape so that my labor is not extreemely long! I know it is going to be very long most likely since this is my first baby, but every little bit of help is good.

 

[Asexyblond23]

WOW 125% thats unreal. See that is what scares me the most is worrign about if I get pregnant then will my FEV1 go down. Right now when I am doing good I am around 88-92%. I thought that was really good but Im starting to think not. I want to be in the best health lung wise that I can be and Im scared that having a baby will make my lun functions go down. Anyone else feel this way?

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Alisha,

Your PFT's may go down while pregnant. Mine probably will too. I won't be able to run or do as much exercising as now. That's why I'm running for now to get a good head start. My doctor said that after the pregnancy they will go back up, though. Honestly, though, we started trying when my PFT's were 86%, and we couldn't conceive for 8 months. Then, my PFT's came down. I was hoping like you that I'd get pregnant right now because the going is good. Just didn't happen that way. There is only so much you can do. It is a chance or should I say risk. But please, Alisha, don't worry about it so much. You're doing your best. That's all you can do. If you worry too much, it might prevent you from conceiving. Too much stress. Then the whole thing from conceiving to pregnancy will not be as enjoyable. I'm much more relaxed now and want to try again in a few months. I'm doing the best I can. Good luck!

Jennifer 24 w/CF