If you've only been running awhile then fall pregnant - is it still ok to run?

[devotion]

I have read that if you already exercise then its ok to continue and just not to suddenly take it up after you fall pregnant.

I start running last Autumn 3-4 times a week and ran the London Marathon last month but I have not ran since the marathon.

Just found out this week I am pregnant and I was going to start back running this weekend.

I'm only planning to run 3-4 miles 3 times a week. Running makes me feel good and relaxes me. Plus I love the stretching after which is good when pregnant.

Do you think its ok even though I've had a whole months break?

I only plan to run until about 4-5 months. I just dont like the idea of the little baby bouncing around. Can it be good for their little brain?

I guess earlier on they have alot more fluid around them.

I had TERRIBLE morning sickness with my 2nd pregnancy and I also heard exercise can reduce so I am willing to do anything if it means I can reduce it.

The other thing is I am only 4 weeks and getting dizzy spells all the time. So i dont really want to run until these pass but then that maybe another few weeks on top of a month already not running.

bump

I would guess that if you were fit enough to run a marathon (wow, congratulations ), then you are fit enough to continue running.

All the advice I've been given is that exercise is good, as long as you don't get too hot, don't do it for more than 45 minutes at a time and don't raise your heart rate too high.

I've seen people out running with quite considerable bumps - am sure the bouncing around can't be a problem.

Perhaps some fast walking, interspersed with jogging if / when you feel up to it would be a good compromise ?

If you were fit enough to run the marathon then you are obviously at a pretty good level. As you say, the standard advice is not to do anything 'new' when you are pregant - i.e don't run if you didn't before. A months break shouldn't make much of a difference though.

I ran up to the 6 month point - in fact I did a 10k race at exactly 6 months pregnant and then 'retired' to the crosstrainer for the final trimester. I was concerned about ligaments and pelvic floor rather than baby - apparently they are really well protected in there!

Don't push yourself and jog rather than run and you should be ok. I think avoiding getting really out of breath is sensible because of oxygen levels in the blood. I did my 10k in 1 hr 5 mins - and that included a stop for a wee - so I was quite pleased. I am usually a 50min gal. DD didn't seem bothered - she was a big girl, so obvioulsy hadn't been drained of nutrients by my exercising.

Good luck.

notmummy and joolsiam - thank you!

i am quite slow normally and keep to 10 min miles so its more jogging then running anyway.

i just dont want to do anything risky otherwise if anything happened i would terrible but i have seen so many pregnant people running and my frien did but she is one of those people who hardly grows a bump so it was not a problem for her.

should you wear something to protect or hold your bump as it grows - sill question?

I didn't wear anything on my bump - but I never got that big anyway so it didn't seem like an issue. You can buy (from places like Jojo) bump supporters, but they are not specifically designed for sport, so might not stay on. I haven't seen anything particularly recommended by sports scientists (and I did a fair bit of research on exercise in pregnancy when I had dd)

excuse the terrible typing! can i blame my pregnancy brains at 4 weeks?

thank you, i feel happy enough now to go jogging. i've really missed it and look forward to it now.

take care