Running/Sports Bras for Pregnancy

[amac36]

Hi All,
I am a runner and pregnant for the first time, about 7 weeks. My boobs are sore and hurt when I run and I know a new sports bra would benefit. Has anyone had any experience of any they could recommend?
Thanks in advance.

[caravela]

Hi Amac,

Is there a good shop or department store near you where they can re-measure you and give you a good selection to try on? By the time I was 7 weeks, I had already gone up a cup size. (The brand I have is called Shock Absorber, if that's any help).

The other thing you could try is ordering a whole bunch of stuff online (order lots more than you need, so that you can try lots of different styles in every size you think you could now be), test it all out at home, and then just keep the best one and return return everything else. Figleaves.com is really good because the returns are free as long as you keep one item. Bravissimo also do free returns.

[amac36]

Hi there,
Thanks for this. I will pop to Debenhams at the weekend and get measured. Think mine have grown a bit too so will be good to know.

[amac36]

Hi there,
Thanks for this. I will pop to Debenhams at the weekend and get measured. Think mine have grown a bit too so will be good to know.

[shelley1977]

I don't know about using while pregnant yet but I've used a shock absorber sports bra due to being rather well endowed and was really pleased with level of support. Will have to get a new one now as I've gone up at least a cup size since last wore it :)

[BakingBunty]

Another vote for shock absorber. Also, forgive this unsolicited advice but please be really careful on uneven ground. Your joints will be really flexible in pregnancy and you're much more likely to turn your ankle. And be prepared for some funny looks from people once you start to show! Enjoy!

[amac36]

Thanks ladies. Sounds like shock absorber are the way forward. I'm not very well endowed so not usually much of a need to protect :-)
Thanks also for the above bakingbunty. I've heard about the stares you can get. Crikey. A lot of my pregnancy will be winter too and dark nights which may affect running due to safety etc.
xx

[SomeSunnySunday]

I have never managed to run during pregnancy (too sick) but have always got back to it post-birth pretty quickly (so boobs still a major issue!) and have found that a combination of a well fitting 'normal' (i.e. Maternity/ nursing / non-underwired) bra with a Shock Absorber over the top was my best solution.

[BakingBunty]

You're welcome, hope you feel well enough to get a few months in. You might want to adjust your routes to include a loo stop

[kitkat321]

I managed in a simple Lonsdale sports bra with a running vest with inbuild support - I only managed to run until about 8 weeks though before the sickness/tiredness took it's toll and I've never managed to get back into it :(

[amac36]

Thanks everyone.
Yes a loo stop might be needed soon :-)
Nearly 8 weeks and seem OK, no sick yet. Hope I'm one of the lucky ones. Time will tell.
Tiredness a killer though. AND bloating. Urgh.
xx

[chloechloe]

Hey ladies. Another vote for Shock Absorber - I'm a DD without the pregnancy bloat and find they work well. Might start wearing two now to run though as they're starting to hurt!

Glad to see so many of you are keen to keep up running. Had my appointment with the Dr this week. unfortunately my usual Dr was on holiday so saw a replacement who was rather overweight and looked seriously unfit. She told me that I should not run during pregnancy at all due to the pressure caused by the increasing weight of the uterus. I'm only 7w+4 FFS and not showing and feel fine when I run (albeit a lot slower than usual). Have ignored her advice but feel quite guilty about it! I figure I'll ask my own Dr when I see her in the hope I get the answer I want! What advice have you all had so far?

[BakingBunty]

Sorry your doctor was unhelpful chloechloe. Standard advice is not to start up a new exercise regime, but to continue with what you're already doing within reason and if you feel up to it. I reckon your body tells you what it is happy with. In my first pregnancy, I was running regularly until 6 months, when I started feeling really uncomfortable and switched to long walks instead. This pregnancy, I haven't run much at all - I've been shattered due to 2 year old and work, and then broke my ankle (not whilst running, but Physio has said that she sees a lot of pregnant women as stretchy ligaments make injury more likely when exercising).
I'm personally convinced that exercise can really help with recovery from birth and even labour itself . As with many things pregnancy related, it's just a matter of being sensible and listening to your body. Happy running!

[ladydolly]

I highly recommend sweaty betty for sports bras, I'm a FF when not pregnant and get mine from there and they're really supportive. I haven't managed to keep running while pregnant (now 27 weeks) due to back pain but I swim every day and use the crosstrainer/bike in the gym. I got a lot slower and it's a lot harder, I found that a shock.

I agree with BakingBunty, if you listen to your body you'll be fine, lots of people I know ran for the first 5/6 months no problems.

Have to say I've spent a few hours sat by the window watching runners outside and feeling so sad I can't do the same, I can't wait to get back to it!!