Running whilst pregnant

[Solidstart]

I’ve always been an active runner, running 5km about 3 times a week, with some more recent 10kms.

Since becoming pregnant I’ve hardly run due to the fatigue, I just can’t find the energy at all! With my last 5km being on Christmas Day.

I’m really really missing running and my obstetrician has said I’m ok to continue to run but I’m wondering when or if I’ll get my energy levels back to be able to?

I’m now 13 weeks and I’m aware that in another three months I’ll likely have to totally stop.

Hoping to hear positive stories of others who have managed to pick back up their running in the second trimester??

I managed to keep gym up including treadmill runs until around 6/7 months at which point I just couldn’t.

if you are going to run as bump gets bigger I would recommend one of the pregnancy band/belts that support bump.

I kept it up until about 20 weeks with my first baby but got nervous about my pelvic floor and icy pavements so I switched to lower impact indoor cardio like rowing machine, bike, cross trainer etc instead.

Picking it up again post birth was the hard part though. My eldest is nearly 3 and after two C sections I still haven't been able to get back into regular running.

Did you run much during the early weeks? I am 5w+2 and very hesitant to pick up my old routine of running, Les mills body pump, weights and spinning.
I was thinking I’ll just wait until week 8 then start again.

Could you do a jeffing style run with a mix of walking and running just to get you started?

Definitely start up slowly again and stop before you feel "forced" to. My pelvic floor isn't something I would ever risk damaging again.

So glad you started this thread! I went back to run club last night. Ran 5k at 7.15pace (used to be a 6.30!) and I feel awful today. Some ligament pain and nausea. I’ve also been told to stay active if I was active before but I agree with other posters, I’ll probably have to stop running in 2-3 months.

Any recommendations for pregnancy bands when running?

I ran up until about 16/17 weeks and then just couldn't anymore. Was so jealous of my friends who ran their whole pregnancy but every pregnant body is different. I swapped with lots of walking, pregnancy yoga classes, and gentle full body exercises at home.

Even now,.13m PP, running is really hard. I had a c-section and it took ages for my whole body to heal, not just the scar itself. I did a 10km at 9m PP and had spotting and intense pain in my stomach so I had to stop. Really eager to pick it back up now!

I managed until about 34 weeks but totalled jeffed it ran from 2 mins and walked for 1 I could only manage an out and back to the local park where there loos and home again so only about half an hour!!

I think eveyone is so different it just depends how you’re feeling I was lucky I could but running post baby I’ve never really got my rhythm back depsite having a decent running buggy

I only ran up to about 10 weeks then stopped and switched to swimming. I wouldn't risk pelvic floor pressure/damage as it's already compromised through pregnancy. I'd consider lower impact e.g. swimming x

Thanks for all your replies.

@thismonthsfad i ran a bit the first couple
Of weeks but nausea and fatigue flooded me so really I’ve run very little in the last 3 months. So hard when after 14 years of running I got a 10km PB just 6 weeks before I fell pregnant and this year I have been in my best running form of my life!

@Newhere9 and @TheHumanRepresentative can I ask how running impacted your pelvic floor? I hadn’t realised it could adversely affect this? I hadn’t yet taken up running when I was last pregnant which was a long time ago!

I do need to get back into swimming, my current problem is that my bathers no longer fit me and I can’t find any that will due to a large bust. Highly frustrating. I haven’t been to swim club since I was about 7 weeks either as again too nauseous and tired.

Def keen to look into pregnancy bands if I can get myself back out running. Not being active is killing me!

Running is high impact and with the extra weight on your pelvic floor and hormones making your ligaments extra stretchy, it can increase the risk of pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence.

Definitely take it slow and don't jump right back in at 6 weeks postpartum. Build your strength back up again slowly and see a pelvic floor therapist after birth. In France, every woman, who has a baby, sees a pelvic floor therapist afterwards. I wish it was standard in the UK too.