Running while pregnant

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So I've recently found out I'm pregnant with my second child (6 weeks) DD is 17 months. This has been a bit of a shock discovery and I did have other plans for this year like running three half marathons which seems unlikely now!

During my last pregnancy I stopped running at around 12-16 weeks. I was running less, loosing fitness and just felt fat and sluggish. This time I'd like to keep going for as long as I can and maintain my fitness. I typically run 4-5 times a week with one tempo/speed run and one long run. I know I will have to tone these down but I'm wondering if there any other prego-runners out there and what does your running routine look like?

I ran 4 times a week pre BFP, I am now down to only twice (at most) a week at 7+5. No reason other than no energy and constant nausea, I am hoping to pick myself back up in the next few weeks.

Congratulations :)

I'm 24 weeks and still running. I'm trying to do 5k 3 times a week, so not particularly impressive but I feel good that I'm getting out there and moving. I have to say, I've started having to walk little bits when I feel tired or get a stitch in my bump, which I get sometimes.
But I hope I'll be able to continue for a while yet.
I am a member of a running crew in shoreditch and we do 5miles plus. I have been a bit haphazard with that but will go tuesday and see how I get on.
Oh yes, and congratulations! :)

Hi I've been wondering about this. I'm 16 weeks and I've always swum (swam?!) though in my own non pro way and pre pregnancy was clocking up around 40 to 50 lengths several times a week, also began jogging no more than 5 miles at a time about once a week. I skipped a lot too as do some martial arts and wanted to get my stamina up. (am 35!) All this began to drop off obviously pre and early preg and although still swimming a couple of times a week and perhaps a half hour run once a fortnight though due to some major tiredness I haven't done much of anything the last two weeks. I've been signed off work for 5 weeks due to non immunity to a virus that's going round so been quite the couch potato (teacher), really not like me usually. Do you think it would be ok to try to get the running going again or just stick to swimming? The martial arts can be easily quite lazy at times! I find exercise quite important as I have thyroid problems and when its well managed I am a lot fitter if I try and exercise and I'm conscious of how important it will be later on - not least as I will be back at work full time in my last trimester!

I ran 2-3x week all the way thru pregnancies with DC1 & DC2. 30-50 mins each time & at a pace that was similar to pre-pregn (so not very fast, admittedly!).
Just go with your body.
DON'T

• overheat
• get dehydrated
• keep going if you feel shattered or anything hurts
• run without gentle stretching first (protect your ligaments)

Clarella I had to stop for a while (?4 weeks) with DC2 due to morning sickness but then I just eased back into it. I think most women have the sense to run safely while pg, just the overheating-dehydration thing to keep close tabs on.

There are some good websites online, info like this.

Thanks for that link Adventures. I've been wondering about this too. Pre-preg I did 3 one-hour sessions of bootcamp (not military) per week, which involves lots of running and resistance work. I stopped for a couple of weeks because I felt so knackered (I'm only 7+6) but could already feel myself turning to blubber and so went back for my first session last night and it was fine. I just took it really easy, didn't let myself get too hot, and told the instructor I'd been unwell and would be toning it down.

Does anyone know if abdominal work/crunches etc. are safe? I guess it's ok during 1st trimester before bump gets too big?

I'm 23 weeks and running 2/3 miles twice a week. I'm going slowler than normal and have recently started walking/running as I feel more tired and heavier. (Not been out in the hot weather for risk of overheating). Everyone I've spoken to has pretty much said listen to your body and continue what you're doing until you don't want to. The doctors etc seem to be very blase about it... I plan on brisk walking from 26 weeks. (Also with a slightly low-lying placenta I'm being extra cautious).

@Tugstonia - I went to see the NHS Pregnancy physios last week and they said crunches etc were a big no-no, even for a long while after birth (as it can lead to damage and a permanent little preggy belly). I think it was to do with the way the outer abdominals spilt to accommodate the growing uterus). This was reiterated by a friend who saw a private pregnancy physio in her first trimester. She was told that even in the first trimester she shouldn't do any crunches or even directly sit up from a lying position. (Inner abdominal work is different but that's not related to crunches etc. The exercises for these seemed very gentle e.g. pulling in the belly towards the spine etc.) It was a bit hard to keep up with all the info, but the message about not doing crunches etc. was quite clear.

Thanks violet, that's really helpful. Eek, better stop the crunches then! Not sure what excuse I can make up to the instructor for that but I'll figure it out :)

Glad I could help Tugstonia! :) I let my instructors know in private (in an email) before classes. I didn't want the rest of the class to know and the instructors were very happy to protect my privacy. Not that I did any bootcamp stuff... I imagine they're more hardcore! Good luck with the pregnancy and the exercise!!

Thanks for all the advice - I'm sure I can get back into it slowly; did a good swim earlier with energy to spare for first time in ages!

My yoga teacher has been going nuts about doing any ab work (he does pretty strength training stuff) but allows bridges (not arms just raising bottom) which seem good. Swimming might help gentle abs support, certainly inner and back?

I ran a judo club with an ex olympian earlier this year who mentioned her abs were too strong when she had her first and they did a weird triangular thing and were never quite the same again.

Violetlights, I have an ab separation already, probably due in part to being small with a big bump but I am sure I also overworked the wrong muscles too. Actually Clarella - that's what I have got, the weird triangle thing, when I tense my upper abs.
I was just a bit gung ho, still doing chattaranga pushps and boat pose etc - all bad. I should have modifed my yoga practise earlier.
Anyway, I now just have to be careful and do lots of the abdominal compression you mentioned to strengthen my TvA muscles.
Anyway, don't do what I did! I have visions now of them never knitting back together and always looking 6 months pregnant for the rest of my life, sob.

Thanks for the info Polly - I think that triangle thing is what my NHS physios referred to as the "dome on the dome". They said once you saw that, you should avoid the type of exercise/movement that brings it on. But in terms of the permanent little preggy belly, that was just in reference to crunches etc performed too soon after birth - so I wouldn't worry about it! I'm sure you haven't done any permanent damage!

That's reassuring, thanks violetlights!