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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Pregnant runners unite!

30 replies

Plateofcrumbs · 30/12/2013 10:33

A thread for runners who intend to carry on pavement pounding despite being duffed-up.

I run. I have been running for years. I don't do anything extreme, and less post-BFP, but I've still been trying to get out for a few miles when morning sickness has permitted. Had a lovely run yesterday in winter sunshine dappled woodland. This makes me happy.

My midwife told me today she doesn't recommend running in pregnancy, because it's high impact. "Just in case" she said. Cobblers, I say. I plan to ignore her. Anyone else with me?

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summerbaby2014 · 30/12/2013 10:52

I did the London marathon earlier this year (before PG!), but I haven't run yet, mainly because of tiredness/sickness! I think it's absolutely fine if you are already a runner, plus great benefits of keeping your fitness up.

The main thing that is concerning me is my clumsiness! I've tripped and fallen 3 times since being pregnant!(16wks now).

I'm planning to hit the Xtrainer at the gym when I'm feeling less exhausted and see how that goes first, less chance of falling over. :)

I'm glad it's going well for you :) The only guidelines I've read say make sure your core temp doesn't get too high and take it a little easy i.e. a half is probably too much but 10k is ok

I'm planning on getting a running pram to get back into it once the baby comes.

summerbaby2014 · 30/12/2013 10:53

(Haven't run yet... since being pregnant I mean)

Ilovekittyelise · 30/12/2013 10:57

i dont run myself, but generally disregard most things midwives say due to the fact that what midwives tell you, in my experience, is more a reflection of their own opinions that statistically sound, consistent scientific advice.

if you run now, you should be fine to continue as long as your not suddenly upping the intensity. take care though as you can be more vulnerable to injury due to effects of relaxin on your joints and as your centre of gravity changes, more prone to falls. but i would imagine you have enough common sense to realise this!

Vicksandtricks · 30/12/2013 11:45

I was a regular runner before I became pregnant and I carried on running up to about 26 weeks. I cut down distance and speed but I started going to the gym instead to keep the exercise up! I felt fine running and only stopped in the end because my legs started getting really sore - I assumed it was a combination of my centre of gravity changing and carrying the extra weight. I'm not a midwife but I figure you know how you feel and you just need to be sensible about heart rate, temperature etc.

Original poster

Plateofcrumbs · 30/12/2013 12:22

I've switched down a gear post-BFP, particularly in terms of speed - just comfortable plods now. Might borrow DHs heart rate monitor so I can check I'm not over-doing it. Have stopped using runkeeper as I know it makes me competitive and am running without music so I can focus on how I'm feeling/breathing etc.

I've been doing a bit of triathlon over the last couple of years so planning to cycle and swim as main ways to keep up fitness, but running is the one I really enjoy so don't plan to hang up my trainers just yet.

Oh and like summerbaby I'm already eyeing up running strollers too!

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Jolay100 · 30/12/2013 12:30

I enjoyed running before I was pregnant, and have a personal trainer who I have worked with through 2 of her own pregnancies and now mine. She very much encouraged me to keep running, as I could whilst listening to my body. However for me I had very low blood pressure at the beginning and felt faint quite a lot and running definately made this worse so I had to stop. Now 18 weeks and the worst of the morning sickness and dizzyness has passed so I'm doing a little on the treadmill, but nothing like I could - its more 2 mins jog 1 min walk and alternate.

BakingBunty · 30/12/2013 14:44

I ran up until 24 weeks when pregnant with DS. Be prepared for some funny looks once you're showing, and lots of 'well meaning' advice...
Ended up swapping to long walks once I couldn't get down the road without being desperate for a wee! Also got really breathless. Found it brilliant for making me feel like 'me', though, and my midwife positively encouraged it.
Lots of people say that being active in pregnancy can help with labour, too. In my case this wasn't quite true (battled for 72 hours with a back to back baby before EMCS!) but I'm sure that my physical recovery was faster because I was fit.
Do what you feel comfortable with, be careful about looser joints... And always have a pee before you set off

Original poster

Plateofcrumbs · 30/12/2013 15:00

At the moment I am still working through the tail end of morning sickness - mine is triggered by movement although am rarely actually sick. So I spend the first few hundred meters of running doing my 'cat with a furball' impression - after that am fine!

Great to hear of people still running towards end of 2nd trimester!

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fay144 · 30/12/2013 17:33

I'm 23 weeks, and haven't been out for a month or so. Last time felt good, but had really sore, bruised leg afterwards, which is only just better. It might have been unrelated.

I am itching to go back out for a wee jog. It's encouraging to hear positive experiences from others.

The thing i found hardest in the first trimester was my boob pain. I had to wear two bras, and it was still pretty painful when i ran. That's passed now though, thankfully.

anotherbitofcake · 30/12/2013 18:00

Hello
I ran up to 6 months but then stopped and swapped with gym, swim as just felt a bit weird! Felt good running up till that point. Am now about to drop and cannot wait to start running again.

CrispyFB · 30/12/2013 18:07

As you already know, it's fine to do it if you did it before! You could trip over just walking to the shops, or on ice doing every day things.. running is no more dangerous in that regard.

The only two things I would caution is simply to not run if it's icy for obvious reasons because you would be more likely to fall, pregnant or not.

The other is if you start getting pain (especially lower back or pelvis pain) you need to take it back a notch or two or even stop. This is because certain pregnancy hormones make your ligaments more lax and you can do serious damage to yourself. It was running for a train that kicked off my SPD in my first pregnancy and I could barely walk from that day on - I was only about 20 weeks. This pregnancy (DC4) I pulled a muscle in my lower back simply getting out of bed, so I couldn't even make it from room to room in the house and I'm now on crutches. The pregnant body is so vulnerable to injury especially post 20 weeks, it's scary. Not everybody is quite as bad as me, but until you know what sort you are, it's best to be careful at the first sign of any pain!

purplecoyote · 30/12/2013 18:08

Yup I'm a runner here too! I tend to stick to the treadmill and scaled the speed back a notch but it's been fine. I've switched to two runs and two swims a week and I'll see how far I get (13 weeks). I've not mentioned the running to the midwife in case of them offering unwanted advice :)

CrispyFB · 30/12/2013 18:10

PS - I was a runner, have done London marathon etc, but stop completely in pregnancy because I know my ligaments are so rubbish and don't want to make a bad situation worse. It sucks, it really does.. I brisk walk until I can't do that, then I just walk and then.. well, put on weight and get depressed. Woo!!

JasMumOfFour · 30/12/2013 18:10

Paula Radcliff carried on running pregnant, and you can ride a horse until it gets uncomfortable lol

ClutchingMyPearls · 30/12/2013 18:12

Got to say I have missed running.im 27w and I struggled from 7-13 weeks with feeling breathless and a bit sick with cardio so just walked uphill on treadmill. Then from 14w to 17w my groin and ligaments would hurt so haven't done anything since!

Going to the gym tomorrow to "try myself out" !

I've gone from bench pressing 70kg, weekly kick boxing and 5-10k cross country runs to nothing and it's so depressing here's to hoping things go ok tomorrow so I can get back to it.

Christelle2207 · 30/12/2013 18:28

I ran till 5 months and only gave up because pgp forced me to. Ran a 10mile race at 7 weeks pg. However i swam and cycled to the bitter end. Yes you'll get funny looks. My friend ran 2 days before giving birth (had almost no bump and baby was early) and was running again within 2 weeks. I wouldn't recommend running after birth until you feel ready but i would ignore any mw advice about not running unless there is a specific reason. Mind you i went skiing when pg and got raised eyebrows aplenty! My friends who ran when pg reckon they had quick labours because they were so fit- possibly but mine went on for days! Keep at it when possible I say

Original poster

Plateofcrumbs · 30/12/2013 18:42

Good luck at the gym clutchingatpearls

crispyFB sorry about your rubbish ligaments. On falling - midwife didn't mention this, she just seemed concerned about the general impact of pavement pounding. Like the baby is going to come loose or something!

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CrispyFB · 30/12/2013 18:57

Your midwife has officially lost the plot!! If babies were hurt by the impact of running the human race would have died out in prehistoric times.. I bet we all did a lot more running back then!

It probably relaxes baby and sends them to sleep - rocks them in the womb

ClutchingMyPearls · 30/12/2013 19:36

Ha! At baby falling out! I think the issue with pounding the pavement is ...erm... A weak pelvic floor for me anyway!

emmac3616 · 30/12/2013 19:47

I ran all the way through to the day I went into labour at 40+4 and have a beautiful healthy little boy. I swapped from outdoor running to treadmill at 30 weeks as pounding pavements gave me pain at top of bump. Was running 10k/day pre-pregnancy, found out I was pregnant at 12 weeks and dropped down to 5-6k/day. I felt quite ill from 20-25 weeks so temporarily dropped to about 3k/day but once the baby dropped into my pelvis I could breathe a lot better and went back up to 6ks from about 28wks onwards - felt fine! I had a good labour and recovered quickly and I put it down to that. Not for everyone I know, but I had a VERY supportive GP and Midwife team, all of whom said if you were active pre-pregnancy you should continue to be so, just reducing impact and thinking more of 'maintenance' rather than 'building fitness'. Worked for me :-) GOOD LUCK!!! xx

Original poster

Plateofcrumbs · 30/12/2013 20:01

Wow emmac amazing!

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Shellywelly1973 · 30/12/2013 21:05

I ran until 30 weeks with this, my 6th pregnancy. I've always been very active. It's how I cope with stress. Damn pgp has been vety bad in this pregnancy so I've slowed down but I need to move!

I've got to admit I don't take much notice if hcps. Though my mw with this pregnancy is great & supportive.

Each to their own!

VJONES1985 · 30/12/2013 21:23

I'm a runner and have been too nervous to run since falling pregnant, unfortunately :-( I'm 6 weeks and 4 days.

Original poster

Plateofcrumbs · 30/12/2013 22:12

Worth giving it a try vjones - I was really tentative the first time out after BFP but it soon felt just like normal. I just have to remind myself not to go full tilt now.

Just checked the NHS website which is approving of running (assuming you are continuing from pre-preg activit
y), so it's definitely just my midwife who has daft ideas.

OP posts:

Philoslothy · 30/12/2013 22:40

I am still running at 24 weeks, have just started a thread in fact.

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