Trying to Conceive and Swimming?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2003
Trying to Conceive and Swimming?
6
Tue, 08-19-2003 - 2:59pm
Can swimming during CD 8-16 impact my chances of conception? Does it hurt the sperm in anyway? Does it cause them not to get to wehre they need to go??? Also can the chlorine/salt water cause any problems (i.e. infections etc...)???

Anyone have advice? I've looked on the internet and got conflicting messages.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Tue, 08-19-2003 - 3:01pm
Chlorine does kill sperm. If the sperm is already in you (if you bd'd earlier) then I dont know. But to play it safe I would stay out of the pool if possible.

Katie


Married to highschool sweetheart since 8-12-02


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2003
Tue, 08-19-2003 - 4:18pm
I found the following on the Internet. I don't know if you saw it. We are only on cycle 1 of TTC but with it being summer I have spent many days in the pool. From what I am seeing it seems okay. Here is what I found from a search I did--hope it helps, Kate TTC#1, cycle #1:



When a couple has had difficulty getting pregnant, the woman may be advised to lie down after intercourse so that the sperm don't have to fight gravity as they make their way to the egg. I don't think that there is scientific evidence of this improving the chances of getting pregnant, but many people want to feel that they are doing everything possible to aid conception, especially if they are already traveling down the disheartening and frustrating road of fertility problems. If you have been advised to practice certain behaviors due to a problem with conception, it is probably best to follow your fertility team's recommendations.

For most couples, though, getting pregnant isn't difficult, and no special arrangements need to be made beyond depositing the man's semen into the woman's vagina. Generally, the sperm reach the cervix within seconds of ejaculation. Even douching, where the vagina is rinsed out, can't prevent pregnancy after intercourse. Add to that the fact that water doesn't really enter far into the vagina during bathing or swimming, and you can be confident that a refreshing dip in the pool or ocean won't delay that baby you want to take swimming with you next summer.

Good luck!

— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2003
Tue, 08-19-2003 - 4:29pm
I Bd this morning around 7am and was thinking of going to the pool now. I guess it is better to be safe.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2003
Tue, 08-19-2003 - 4:30pm
Yes, I did see this. I'm sure it's fine, but can't help but wonder in the back of my mind. But by next month it really won't matter as the pool will be closed. I am on c1 so I probably shouldn't be this paranoid.

Thnks

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2003
Tue, 08-19-2003 - 5:42pm
Its only natural to worry. I am on my first cyle too....I went to the pool a lot last week during O...who knows!!!

BEST OF LUCK:)

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2003
Tue, 08-19-2003 - 8:58pm
Best of Luck to you too. Let me know how everything goes.