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Running during pregnancy - am I ok to run for an hour?

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By Thu 17-Jul-08 13:26:44 Add message | Report | Contact poster

I've been continuing to run since I found out I'm pregnant (I'm 14 weeks now) but have been taking it really easy, going quite a lot slower and making sure I don't get too out of breath. Last night I ran for an hour and felt fine, could talk while running, although did feel quite warm at the end. Today a friend told me you should only run for half an hour otherwise your body will overheat and there won't be enough blood going to the baby, and this has made me really worried! Also my stomach muscles ache today - its definitely muscle ache (a bit like if you've done too many sit ups) rather than period pain type aching.

Am I right in continuing to run or is my friend right in saying I should stop after half an hour? I was reading a thread yesterday where someone who was a personal trainer gave some good advice but I can't find it today!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Fri 24-Jul-09 08:44:59

Hi, I just wanted to say that I have been really enjoying this thread. I am six weeks and have been a really keen runner for a few years previously. It has been lovely to hear from like-minded ladies and get some sensible and knowledgable advice. Hatcam - what a legend!

I am still running but really slowly and for up to half an hour. Have really enjoyed pottering around the park and body seems to be fine!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Mon 13-Jul-09 14:57:03

What about your pelvic floor muscles - Ive heard that running can do damage to the bladder/pelvic floor muscle and can cause pro lapse (old lady thing where 'lady garden' inners hang, erm - outside shock

).

Im sure it was something like 6/8 weeks to stop running before the uterus starts to put pressure on the bladder, pelvic muscles and running would damage.

Im all for exercise, do bodypump and swimming and am 15 weeks but I gave up running and jumping about too much to walk 5 miles round hilly area couple of times a week. I like my bits where they are thank you!! grin

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 12-Jul-09 22:13:08

hatcam, i am 12 weeks pregnant and i have asked lots of different people about exercising. including running, x-trainer and bike. you are the first person who has given a clear answer. thank you!! i have also been getting some soreness in my upper abs, which was a bit of a worry but im now convinced my posture during running has something to do with it. As for over heating. still a bit of a mystery. anyone got advice on how to monitor this? should i not be getting out of breath?
thanks again

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Wed 01-Jul-09 14:31:10

Hi! I am 22 weeks along with a baby boy and am still actively running between 26 and 35 miles per week. I am crosstraining using the elliptical and stairmaster while still lifting weights. Yesterday was the first day while running I felt "pregnant" my uterus felt heavier and painful (round ligament pain). I am also having about 10 Braxton Hicks per day currently which my OB says is normal and a good sign! I plan to keep running until it is too uncomfortable which will hopefully be never! I am going much slower, I used to do about 8 miles in an hour and am now able to do abuot 6.5. My OB said as long as you were doing it prior to pregnancy it is fine!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sat 02-May-09 03:10:41

Hatcam- I am in the same situation as the fearless freak. I ran a 1/2 marathon 4 weeks ago and have only run once since then (have done Tae Bo several times). I have been a runner for the past 6 years, running 2 marathons and a half marathon and 10ks a couple times a year. I just found out I am pregnant. I am probably only like 1 week! (Just had my first postive hpt) I want to start back running but am not sure if 4 weeks is too long of a break. I only plan on trying to run around 3-4 miles for as long as my body will allow. What is your opinion?

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Fri 26-Sep-08 20:55:54

Yes, yes, yes.. I ran until i was 37 weeks, for an hour or so at a time... I competed in half marathons etc... before i was pregnant.. Just watch your heart rate, not more than 145... I had a healthy baby boy, bang on my due date, 4 hour labour with just a few sniffs of gas and air. I told my community midwife when I met her that i ran and she said birth was like a marathoin, you needed to train for it...

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Thu 31-Jul-08 18:47:40

I'm here! been on hol with the in-laws but that's a tale for another thread...

am likely to agree with dinky stinky I'm afraid - when did you last go on a run? It could be quite a shock to your system now. One of the more difficult aspects of fitness in pregnancy is that some lucky people feel so good that the tendency is to overdo it. What was the last exercise you did/how frequently?

you could replace the running with a different cardio that's safer/lower impact - talk me through what you were doing before you found out you were pregnant?

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Thu 31-Jul-08 15:55:38

Oh thanks dinky... bit of a shame that I actually feel like running just when I shouldn't !! Typical I took so long to get back around to it!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Thu 31-Jul-08 15:41:28

Thefearlessfreak - I got told by my pregnancy trained personal trainer that running, or any other cardio exercise you've not done before, isnt a great idea to take up in pregnancy as you'll be putting your body under exertions that it is not used to and you're in more danger of overheating (which isnt great for the baby). Its best to try and keep going with exercise you already do and are used to, unless you get a pregnancy trained personal trainer who can safely supervise you.

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Thu 31-Jul-08 15:27:36

Hi - interested at this thread & just wondered if hatcam is still around? I want to start running again now that I'm pregnant. I only run for half an hour anyway and gently too. But I haven't had the inclination for a while. Now, I'm 8weeks pregnant with barely any symptoms and feeling fit from lack of booze and general healthiness. So, would it be ok to start something that my body is not totally used to?

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Running during pregnancy - am I ok to run for an hour?