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Original poster

Running when pregnant

25 replies

orangehead · 19/03/2011 20:03

ttc at the moment. I have been running for about a year. I know they say its fine to carry on and I really want to, it makes me happy and plus just lost a load of weight and dont want to let pregnancy be an excuse to put it all back on, obviously know I will put some on. But I also worried about carrying on running.
Anyone carried on running whilst pregnant, just need to know everything was ok and also any tips or things to think about.
Was thinking when the time comes to replace my long run with a swim so I am just doing 2 5ks a week and stop doing interval and hill workouts and just lsten to my body. Anything else?

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jenniec79 · 19/03/2011 20:06

I did a high intensity step class a while back being taught by a tiny woman who was about 90% bump (I'm guessing about 7-8 months PG). She was fine, I felt like death warmed up and not even a little bit PG!

As long as you listen to your body you should be fine.

notthewowy · 19/03/2011 20:15

Not running since it's never been my number one sport but I'm still cycling which is also a high burn excercise. In fact I'll be riding for an hour or two before my section on tuesday. Just listen to your body, not other people, do only as much as you feel comfortable with and realise that it may leave you extra tired some days.

I have had some wonderful healthcare professionals who have been very supportive too.

What I wish I'd thought more about is how demoralising the rapid lack of stamina and speed can be even though you know why. I've gone from riding 600-1000 miles a month to maybe 100 now. I'm glad I carried on though, this preganancy has been far smoother than the last one despite having gestational diabetes again. ( in fact the excercise actually helps with this) My baby is very active too though I don't know if they're connected.

backwardpossom · 19/03/2011 21:11

Well, a friend of mine was running 4 miles a week up until 7.5 months and gave birth last week. She was in established labour for 26 minutes and had no complications. Was her first baby, too.

Not sure if it's related (unlikely), but just wanted to let you know it's possible.

I think the advice is that you take it easy, listen to your body and don't take up some new sport! Good luck with TTC.

carve133 · 19/03/2011 21:23

Ran (much more slowly) until about 18 weeks when my knees were too painful (due to the relaxin hormone I think).

I cycled occasionally and I think I stopped about 27ish weeks (although mainly because it was summer, getting hotter and I live at the top of a hill!).

I also went to the gym and used cross trainer until about 30ish weeks I think.

I swam right the way through, even up to the day before DS was born. Had to stop breaststroke in 3rd trimester though due to pelvic pain.

Sounds like a lot of exercise reading back but it was all gentle and more about keeping myself moving than exercising for fitness. I didn't change anything about my routine until I actually knew I was pregnant though. Unless you train really hard I doubt you really need to worry too much. I also found it hard to find information on what was recommended, but there is enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that its fine as long as you do what backwardpossom suggests.

Clure · 20/03/2011 10:12

hi, I think if your body is used to exercise and you listen to how it's feeling you should be fine to carry on.

I cycled up until 6 and a half months - my bump got in the way of my knees then!
I ran up until 10 weeks, stopped during risky weeks 11-13, I then continued for a couple of weeks but didn't feel comfortable - it felt too jarring on my joints and abdominal muscles felt strained and so I stopped until 8 weeks after birth
I continued an aerobic class up until 8 months and did Ieyengar yoga right up until a week before birth.
Important to keep your body cool, dring plenty of fluids and stop if your body protests! Good luck

peachsmuggler · 20/03/2011 17:02

Hiya. Am also ttc and am running. My doctors advice was you can still run when pregnant as long as you are already running.

I am not doing long distances and am not doing speed/hill training.

Just take it easy and listen to your body. Also make sure you are hydrated and stay cool. I didn't run when pregnant with my DD but that was because I felt so awful with sickness. If I get pg again I'm going to keep running if I can.

Sounds like your plan is sensible, good luck!

Btw, Paula Radcliffe was taking part in 10k races at 7 months pregnant!!

pawsnclaws · 20/03/2011 23:03

I ran up to 6 months each time with no problems at all, just decreased the intensity gradually. The rest of the time I either used a x-trainer or power-walked. I think for me the benefits were mostly mental rather than physical!

MoshiMoshi · 21/03/2011 16:24

Agree with the general consensus which is that if you are already running it is fine to continue. I think the logic is generally that it is good to continue exercise but at a lower intensity level so as not to compromise the oxygen getting through to the baby. When running I used to make sure I could comfortably hold a conversation as I don't have a heart rate monitor as I find too much information confuses me ! I ran with all of mine (I have 4 DCs) and up to 38 weeks with DC1.

Original poster

orangehead · 21/03/2011 20:51

Thanks for all the advie and confirmation it ok.
Peaches are you on any ofthe buses threads. Im on dec bus if you wan to join

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peachsmuggler · 21/03/2011 21:08

Thanks orange! I don't think I can cope with a bus tbh. Have had a couple of miscarriages (one just this Xmas past) and the whole ttc/pregnancy thing I find quite difficult mentally. I know a lot of people find it a good place to vent frustrations but for me, I think it might stress me out more! Running has been an unbelievable help the last couple of months so planning to keep it up. Thanks for asking though! Would live to know how it all goes though so I'll keep checking this thread to see how you're getting on!

Best of luck, with the ttc and the running!

peachsmuggler · 21/03/2011 21:10

Or even love to know!!!

Original poster

orangehead · 21/03/2011 21:24

Im so sorry for your losses peaches. I too have had mcs, 3. I have since had two sons, had to take aspirin whilst pregnant. No wonder you findng it difficult mentally. Even despite having dc the mcs are still fore front in my mind as ttc, just never want to go that place again.
Yes I keep you posted on here, af got me yesterday so missed my run yesterday as felt too crap but had a god run tonight

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peachsmuggler · 21/03/2011 21:33

Oh I'm so sorry Orange that is awful. Sorry about af but glad you got out today. I am planning a run tomorrow, but also probably test! We shall see.

mckenzie · 21/03/2011 21:43

Orangehead, I ran through both of my pregnancies and also went to the gym regularly. I think if you listen to your body and exercise accordingly you will be fine. You do need to be extra cautious with hydration and also stretching.

Actually, now I come to think of it, I stopped running about 5 months with DC1 as it didn't feel right (it felt like the baby was pushing down too much when I ran) and stuck to weights, cycling and cross trainer etc but with DC2 I ran and worked out in the gym etc until the very end - I did a spinning class the morning I gave birth .

FWIW, my first birth when I stopped running was awful but my second one, when I carried on running was lovely .

Good luck.

Original poster

orangehead · 21/03/2011 22:07

Spinning class the morning you gave birth
Regarding weights, did you use lighter ones when pregnant?
let us know peachs if you test, if you dont mind

OP posts:

mckenzie · 22/03/2011 09:11

I did use slightly lighter weights orangehead, yes.

And the reason I did the spinning was because I was 2 weeks late, I had just 2 days to get the baby out before they took me in to induce me and so I thought I'd try something that I hadn't done in a while. I knew the instructor well and she trusted me to take it easy, stay seated etc. I gave birth that evening

peachsmuggler · 22/03/2011 16:14

Well didn't run today orange as knackered after being awake for 2 hours during night with DD in our bed! However did test and it's a bfp!
Was kind of sure anyway as af a week late but good to see it for real as thought my cycle was a bit strange after mc. Anyway, trying to remain positive despite overiding feeling of doom (am sure you recognise that!). However should not complain as am lucky to be pregnant again Hope you are feeling good today, new cycle, new start!

pawsnclaws · 22/03/2011 17:58

peachsmuggler! Congratulations!

I have a pretty grim history of mc and stillbirth so I know that every bfp comes with excitement and doom too. But a new start as you say. How exciting!

ragged · 22/03/2011 18:38

yup, ran thru to 39 weeks with 2 pregnancies. large bouncy bright DC as the result.

Original poster

orangehead · 22/03/2011 22:12

Congratulations peachs, Im so pleased and excited for you. Yes recognise feeling of doom, I wish there was something to take away that feeling but its just down to time and like paws says new start. Cant believe you waited a week, Im too impatient.

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peachsmuggler · 22/03/2011 23:50

Hey paws, thanks! The more you talk to people the more you realise what lots of people have to go through to get their babies. Not easy eh?

Thanks orange, have waited till 5 weeks with last 3 pgs, essentially as thought if I was going to have a chemical pregnancy that ended before 5 weeks then I didn't want to know. Not really logical but there you go!

Is my birthday tomorrow so planning little run in the sun!

pawsnclaws · 23/03/2011 07:15

Happy birthday peachsmuggler. Enjoy your run in the sun, there's nothing quite like it, is there? (apart from the slice of birthday cake you can treat your self to afterwards .....).

Original poster

orangehead · 23/03/2011 21:11

Have a great day.
Sorry about your history too paws, its so awful that it happens to so many.

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PenguinArmy · 29/03/2011 06:04

I'm 11 weeks with my second

With my first, I gave up running early in the second trimester as had trapped nerve issues and the extreme tiredness I had in the my first really threw me.

This time, I'm running fine. As relaxin kicks in joints can get a bit screwed up.

Basically don't push yourself 10/10, but work on a medium effort level. Over time you'll find your pace and distance decreasing.

Admitedly I didn't run for 6 weeks, but still went out last week and did a 5 mile run (was a bit sore the next day though) and a 3 mile tonight. Hoping to run once/twice a week. This isn't my main exercise though as I'm more of a climber and do pilates so keeping running on is not a major concern of mine.

PenguinArmy · 29/03/2011 06:06

oh meant to say with this pg I've had hardly any of the symptoms I had last time so it has easier. It is very much pregnant dependent. you may find yourself unable to do much for a few months, but then have energy later and pick it up again for a while

I was mountaineering in scotland at 6 months and hill walking in the lakes at 8 months (again more of a walker than a runner)

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