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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Running during pregnancy...any experience?

27 replies

stickybean · 21/08/2012 15:29

I'm very newly pregnant (about 5 weeks) and if things go well I would like to continue running for as long as I can.
I currently run about 3 times a week, 5 miles per run so not masses but not nothing either.

Does anyone have any experience of running whilst pregnant. Did your dr / midwife think it was safe? How long were you able to continue running before your bump was too big or you were too tired?

Would love to hear about your experience

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Kopparbergkate · 21/08/2012 15:42

I'm about the same stage as you (only a week ahead!) and I'm running 3 times a week too - a long run of 7-10 miles and a couple of shorter ones (3-5 miles). My midwife has just said to carry on as long as I feel comfortable; make sure to drink more than I would normally and make sure I don't overheat (so go slower or incorporate "walk breaks" if I start getting so out if breath I can't talk).

Cant help with how long one can carry on - Im planning to keep following this advice and see how i go! There's a good section on running whilst pregnant on Runners World which seems to bear out what I've been told.

I'd already entered and started collecting sponsorship for Macmillan for the Great South (10 miles) when I got BFP. I'm hoping I'll be able to run/walk it; I'll be 14 weeks by then....

Neverme · 21/08/2012 15:42

Hi Stickybean, congratulaions first of all. I am 9 weeks with DC2 and i've been carrying on with exercise and running but have reduced the number of sessions/intensity. I also do lots of swimming.

I think there is a big thing about making sure your body temperature doesn't rise too much and your heart rate go up too much whilst pregnant, so I have cut out doing intervals and things like park run as i'd want to race! I was meant to be doing a triathlon in the middle of September and originally considered still doing it, but my fitness has gone down a bit so not doing it.

Also be careful with the current hot weather.

My runs at the moment are really enjoyable, I go out for 3 to 4 miles at a time, don't take the garmin, put some music on and don't worry myself about taking a short walk every so often - perahps something to remember for post natal running!

The GP said it was fine to keep doing what I am used to, just don't take up any new form of exercise.

As to how long you can keep going, I'll wait for anymore responses! i guess as long as you feel able, and remember things like sickness etc. might get in the way. At the start I had lots of implantation pains and running made that worse so I held off.

squidkid · 21/08/2012 16:11

Most runners I know managed fine till around 22-28 weeks
I did a few odd runs until about 26 weeks but as it was never my primary exercise I just switched to more swimming/hiking/workouts etc.. never really liked the feeling of bump jolting up and down. If you're really into it maybe a bump support band would be good?
I remember the last run at 26 weeks... I did about half a mile and then went, NAH! Walked the rest.
Am 35 weeks now and longing to restart proper exercise soon!

squidkid · 21/08/2012 16:14

... when I say "managed fine" I mean "managed to keep running" - obviously no one was running like they did before at that stage.
Just listen to your body, I guess.

Blockette · 21/08/2012 16:21

Glad you asked this! I'm just starting to ttc but have found out I'm getting running stuff for my birthday (in 2 weeks) so would hate to see it wasted as running is the only real exercise I do! - shouldn't really be in here yet but I'm trying to learn what to expect! ...

OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 21/08/2012 16:23

I think if you are doing things you normally do, it's fine. It's if you don't exercise, you shouldn't suddenly start doing it in pregnancy.

Wish I could

horseylady · 21/08/2012 17:15

Keep going while you can but listen to your body!! It's very good at telling you to relax and slow down!!

I'm nearly 30 weeks still dog walking and horse riding and am finding it ok. Am a bit slower lol but ok. Can't wait to start exercising without the bump but with a pram!! And horse riding to be able to jump again!!

Original poster

stickybean · 21/08/2012 18:05

That's so helpful ladies. Thank you very much.
I'll check our runners world now.

OP posts:

philbee · 21/08/2012 19:27

I was running when I got pg the first and second times. First time I carried on but tripped over in the street at 9 weeks and it freaked me out so I stopped. Second time I got about 6 weeks in and just found it too much, very breathless, very hot, so I stopped. This time I've just accepted it's not for me and I'll wait until I'm not pg any more and work up again. I was only running 2-3 miles at a time, so probably not as used to it as you are. I think very important to listen to your body - it seems like it suits some people and others have to take a break. MWs have always said it's fine to carry on as long as I wasn't increasing pace or distance and backed off when I needed to.

LivingThings · 21/08/2012 22:25

I ran til 3 weeks before each of mine. Take care not to overheat and walk if you need too. I also used a support band after about 20 odd weeks which really helped.

Kopparbrgkate - I ran (and walked a bit!) the GSR with #2 at 16 weeks pregnant - really enjoyed it.

Original poster

stickybean · 21/08/2012 22:56

Living things...running till 3 weeks before. That's amazing. I can only dream of that. I imagine once it's freezing cold I'll probably want to stop anyway. I hope not but where I live the winters are a bit brutal so we'll see. I just really want to stay fit and not put on too much weight.

OP posts:

ZuleikaD · 22/08/2012 06:55

Last two times I was cycling and did that until knees were hitting bump (about 8 months), this time I'm running (started well before got pg) and plan to carry on until it's not comfortable. Really noticed the overheating thing on my Saturday run at the weekend - admittedly the day was starting to warm up but everything started going a bit wobbly and swimmy so I walked for a while.

The thing I know you do have to be careful with is running too soon after the birth. It can take a few months for things to settle down and you can do permanent damage to your joints and pelvic floor if you do too much too soon. Swimming's better for getting back into shape and there's less impact on your breastfeeding chest!

PollyIndia · 22/08/2012 08:18

I am 35 weeks, ran up to 2 weeks ago then got a cough so stopped as didn't want to risk getting properly ill. Feeling better now though and contemplating going for a little run... Not sure, I am quite big now!
Everyone has said it's fine as long as you are taking it easy. You do get some disapproving looks though!

CakeBump · 22/08/2012 08:30

I'm 23 weeks, and I ran up to about 18 weeks. After that I found:

my running trousers didn't fit
my breathing was shallow and it was hard to catch my breath
my knees and hips would be agony the next day
I just couldn't be arsed any more!

So now I'm walking and swimming instead. I'm finding that I still feel like I'm getting benefit from slower paced activities, because at this point they're harder iyswim - ie before if I wasn't running fast and sweating I wouldn't feel "fit", but I feel I need to do less to get the same benefit now...

I couldn't cycle at all as I went out when I was about 7 weeks and bled afterwards, so I have stayed away from the bike since then.

Original poster

stickybean · 22/08/2012 12:29

Zulekia, one of the reasons I want to keep as fit as possible is that I already know I'll be having a c section so it will be at least 2 months before I can run again. But more realistically based on my last 2 births it will be A LOT longer than that.

I'm so impressed with all you running ladies.
Swapping for swimming when the running gets too much is a good plan.

For those that ran longer, what did you wear? Can you get maternity work out clothes?

OP posts:

panicnotanymore · 22/08/2012 12:49

It depends on your pregnancy so what works for someone else may not work for you. Listen to your body, and be very very careful to avoid getting hot and sweaty.

My sister had a lot of miscarriages, and only went full term when she stopped running. I had heavy red bleeds after running, so stopped. I miss proper exercise, but have switched to swimming and pilates and running is obviously not ok for me. If you're ok, go for it - I'll be very jealous!!!

violetlights · 22/08/2012 12:58

I was running 3 miles 2/3 times a week up until nearly 7 months. (I slowed down A LOT though - mainly cos I was paranoid about overheating! - and in the end was just walking/jogging the same distance...)

Every mv and doctor encouraged me to keep my regular routine. I stopped because my calf muscles kept cramping up. When I mentioned I'd stopped running to the doctor she said that it was a good time to stop anyway because my balance would be off and I could risk falling over. Now (nearly 8 months) I just stick to walking and a little bit of swimming/yoga. In truth I'm very happy not running now because I feel I have more energy to get out and about doing my normal stuff...

I think as long as you listen to your body, keep hydrated and don't overheat it's all good!

LackingNameChangeInspiration · 22/08/2012 13:01

MW was fine with it, I gave it up half way through first trimeter because was just too shattered after work etc
now I find it hard because boobs are quite sore so haven't really managed to get back on track
definitely worth it if you can keep it up, but make sure you do lots of pelvic floor exercises alongside the running

par1s · 22/08/2012 14:35

My friend is 8 months pg and still running an hour 4-5 times a week. I'm 16 weeks now and went for a run yesterday at a slow pace for about 5miles and it was fine. My problem is that I needed to go to loo so frequently - like every 10 min, I had to run into a pub for the toilet and it was very annoying..

Don't have this prob while cycle or swim but during running. Does anyone have this problem? Any trick I can use to stop going to loo so frequently?

PollyIndia · 25/08/2012 18:10

I managed to trip and fall while out running today and landed on the bump. Absolutely crapped myself as I properly whacked it - luckily was right by the hospital so just went in. I felt really panicky but they put me on a trace and all ok. So violetlights' midwife is right!

The midwife at triage did say not to let me put it off (and I was having a lovely time before I fell :( ) but I think I am nearly 36 weeks pregnant so maybe best to quit while ahead and stick to walking now.

I did have the loo problem a lot par1s. I run in the forest near me though, so nipped behind a tree when I needed to!

Original poster

stickybean · 25/08/2012 18:35

Oh goodness Pollyindia, I hope you're ok. Well done for getting seen to so quickly. That must have been quite a shock. I hope you're not bruised or in pain. Rest up tonight

OP posts:

PollyIndia · 25/08/2012 22:25

Thanks stickybean. Have to say my knee is very swollen and sore but the bump feels ok and the baby has been moving a lot. I am so glad it's all ok!

Tgger · 25/08/2012 22:50

Hi there! Think it's one of those things where you have to just keep doing it until it doesn't quite feel right anymore which is different for every person. I ran until about 22 weeks and then I felt too heavy/was showing and somehow it wasn't fun anymore. I also took it fairly easy. I loved running during first pregnancy, but somehow with number two I'd lost the habit so I didn't run at all during it. However I am running again now! By the way watch out as runners tend to have heavier babies- DS was 9 pounds 12! (was 2 weeks overdue mind!).

Original poster

stickybean · 25/08/2012 23:10

Tgger, is that true that runners have heavier babies?? That's mad!

OP posts:

Tgger · 25/08/2012 23:12

Yes, believe it is! Not sure why but remember reading- think it's due to all that blood flow and healthy stuff.. (can you tell how scientific I am!)

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