26 weeks - may have to stop running now (anyone else managed longer)

[CareerGirl01]

Managed 30 minutes yesterday - 4km run around the park (no concrete) but felt very uncomfortable. It's not my aerobic fitness - as I've been managing 45 mins of cross trainer/stepper and bike with weights at the gym 4 times a week (and feel great on it). Felt like my bladder was being pounded yesterday and wondering if this is a one off thing or whether I should stop. Am 42 and have been exercising 5 times a week for the last 20 years - the only break being the odd sunny holiday and latter stages of pregnancy with DD1 4 yrs ago.

[Sunnysummer]

I'm nearly 28w and still going, but now only around 3km of running mixed with walking (5k total), as I find that running up hills makes me too out of breath and running down hills makes my pelvic floor and bladder incredibly uncomfortable! Not sure about you, but I've found that ability to run comes and goes some weeks - so maybe it's worth one more try, to see if it was just a bad day? On the other hand, sounds like you're doing lots of other work anyway - and my doctor told me that from the third tri I might want to keep cardio sessions to 2 a week to maximise baby growth.

[worsestershiresauce]

The basic rule of exercise in pregnancy is listen to your body. If running isn't suiting you now just do something else. There are so many alternatives. Every pregnancy is different so it doesn't matter how long someone else ran for, it really is down to how you personally feel. I gave up at 10 weeks due to bleeding, but my fitness hasn't dropped off, and I haven't resorted to the gym as I prefer to be outside.

[CareerGirl01]

Hi worsestershire (my fellow fitness fiend) and sunnysummer I did actually manage a short run just now - and felt okay. But I am going to swap the running for swimming next week, been meaning to get back into it. Have either of you tried aqua aerobics. Worseter - what sort of stuff are you doing outside? I have a spin bike which I stick outside and put on a low resistance (when it's warmer/not raining) but that is a bit too uncomfortable at the moment.

[worsestershiresauce]

I power walk, a lot, 5 miles a day (I'm 38 weeks), and live in a very hilly area so a power walk is quite a work out. I also go to the local recreation ground and do (gentle) circuits, so resistance band work, squats, lunges, wall presses, step ups, and pilates moves. I guess I cheat a bit as I work out with a trainer once a week so am able to do the routines he puts together for me. Earlier on I swam, usually 2km at a time, but in an outdoor pool so that fell by the way with winter. I'd still be swimming if I could, but there is no local indoor pool. At home I have a gym ball, and weights so work on core and arm strength using those.

I actually prefer my physique now as I am strong and toned all over, whereas focussing on running gives me a slightly scrawny torso. I think I will scale back the running and up the resistance work post baby as well, to stay toned.

The trainer warned me off upright static bikes - use a seated recliner bike if you can. Pelvic floor reasons apparently. I didn't ask him to go into details , but he's just done a pre/post natal qualification so I trust his advice.

Good for you keeping up with the fitness, it is definitely worth it. I thought I'd hate pregnancy, but it has been great and hasn't left me glued to the sofa with a back side like broccoli (Kate Winslet's prosaic description), and I think I have better body confidence now than I ever had before.

[CareerGirl01]

So inspiring worseter I've got resistance bands - used to use them loads. Cycling is getting uncomfortable - might try the reclining version. I think it might do me some good to use a PT.

[CareerGirl01]

You are right about running btw. I'm going to keep running post baby - but once a week - as I do love doing the odd 10k!

[worsestershiresauce]

I love to run too! For me it is relaxation, not exercise, and I can run for literally hours without getting tired. The PT was the one who made me scale it back actually, as he pointed out I wasn't stretching myself, or improving my fitness, just wearing my joints out. I'd definitely recommend booking a few sessions with one if you can, as they can improve your over all fitness and mix up your routine. You need one you get on with and can have a laugh with though or it won't be any fun.

[LivingThings]

I managed til 37 weeks #1 and 35 weeks #2 (only stopped then as had pleurisy). Ran (well shuffled really about 3-4 miles at the end ) not trying to improve fitness - just ticking over. Used a good support band too from 20 ish weeks which helped with ligament pain. Was able to go back to running 3 miles at 5 weeks after birth ELCS each time. Really feel it did me and my babies good to be fairly fit.

[Sunnysummer]

37 weeks is so impressive! I've been running 3x a week, doing strength exercises (either at the gym or from the Expecting More DVD, which is awesome and properly challenging, unlike most of the ones I tried!) twice a week, then doing a yoga class once a week... Plus I walk up to and from work every day, which is hilly and about an hour total.

But with my baby on the smaller side of average, the doctor suggested that now I'm 28w I might take it down to only a couple of 'intense' sessions a week, so I think it'll just be my walking, plus my 2 mini-jogs, one gentler strength session and yoga.

[worsestershiresauce]

Well, looks like my exercising options are over as I've just been hit by killer pelvic girdle pain. It's as if my hip dislocates every 3rd step, and it's murder . I'm hoping she arrives on time as more than 2 weeks of sitting around is going to drive me seriously insane.....

[BlueChampagne]

Didn't start running till after Dcs, but did cycle plenty while pg. Stopped at 38 weeks with DS1 (17 mile round trip -not every day by then) and about 32 weeks with DS2 (going into winter and had DS1on the back). Just an idea if you still need an exercise fix!