Running during pregnancy

[nutritionmum]

Hi everyone,

I'm 42 and I've just found out I am 5 weeks pregnant with my first baby!!!!

I love my running. I actually ran 4 miles 3 days ago before I realised I was pregnant, but felt great at the end of it!!

Does anyone have any info on running whilst pregnant? I need to take into account my age and that this may be my last shot at being a mum.

Thanks very much. It's all very exciting and a little surreal

Hi I ran during my pregnancy until nearly 28 weeks - I got slower and ensured I drank load and stopped if I got too hot. I only managed to run that long because I didn't get a bump until nearly 30weeks.

You need to keep your HR down and stop when you feel it it getting too much.

Congratulations! And I'm not surprised you feel a bit weird. It is ALL a bit weird.

I'm 38, expecting my 4th and a bit of a runner too. I've actually given up on running just now and I'm concentrating on the cross trainer and bike at the gym. This is largely because I've had a condition called SPD (basically the bones of your pelvis becomming a bit lax and unbelievably SORE) before. Putting impact down one side of your body can worsen it.

But not everyone gets SPD, and of course, Paula Radcliffe was still running at six months!

Thanks for all your advice!

I've decided to just power walk until I've had my 12 week scan and see if I'm up to a little running then.

I don't want to take any chances. This is my chance to have an excuse for being a big kid now

I ran till 25 weeks but it turned into a comedy shuffle more than a run. I'm still cycling now at 32 weeks though and loving it!!

However you have to do exactly how much you're comfortable with so you power-walk away if that's what you want. Congrats on your pregnancy, wonderful news.

Hi there
I am 32 weeks pregnant and still running! I have cut down to twice a week now for about 40mins and am also swiming once a week. I found that although I slowed down I still have found it comfortable to run. There is a website called sporty bump which sells some excellent sports wear for running and I found this book invaluable. www.amazon.co.uk/Runners-World-Guide-Running-Pregnancy/dp/1579547478/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid= 1253819030&sr=8-1-spell

Hi Nutritionmum
Congrats!

There is a massive section on the Runners World forum for running in pregnancy

here

A friend of mine is 42 and has just had her second baby. She ran up until she was 6 months pregnant and used the bike and x-trainer up until a few weeks before she gave birth
She had a very easy, quick and straight forward natural birth which she is sure is down to staying fit and strong through her pregnancy.

i ran the great north run whilst pregnant! it was my fastest time ever! (well, it has all been a complete nightmare since then- as i have no idea how pregnant and how far on I was i am and am waiting for a dating scan.)

i had no pain or problems although probably wouldnt have done it had i known that i was pregnant. This baby is going to be a runner i can tell! i have quit running until my scan at least but still either gym or swim 3-4 times a week. I just dont feel like running and am nauseous. Exactly what that laydee said about Paula- thats what my doctor said when i found out!

There has been plenty of research which suggests athlets perform better after they have given birth all those hormones flying around so I plan to keep running until my pelvic floor complains and then I'll swim.
But I'll be straight back into it after the birth, my friend saw me out with my 3rd child the day after she was born and refused to believe she was mine

I ran til 36 weeks with DS and still took part in races (10K - 10 mile) until 26 weeks although obviously alot slower than normal! I was 39 too so don't think age has anything to do with it if you're fit. I am now 13 weeks (age 40) and have been running regularly up til now but am currently on a week off as recovering from a CVS test - also running the GSR in 2 weeks!
If you feel good keep going!

I think once you stop you can't really start again. I run for 15 mins on treadmill around 3 x a week. I have slowed the speed down but plan to continue, last time continues until around 28 weeks.

4 miles is a lot, maybe reduce the distance or speed, you need to do what your body tells you.

i ran through my pregnancy until 16 weeks- because i felt like i needed to wear a bra on my bump. I did everything being pregnant and kept excersizing (responsibly) until the day I had her- and I can honestly say it benefited me greatly. Just remember to eat enough and drink loads. My labour was 4 1/2 hours I was fine after about 24 hours and felt fit and strong enough to cope with the sleep deprivation.

Also I was near enough back to my pre preg weight within a month, after putting on 3 stone- without trying (BFeeding rules )

Also a tip if you're a runner/ excersizer- a running pram is a god send- I regularly go out with my 12 week old- and have been running for 2 months now and she loves it. Being able to carry one doing something for 'you' in the first couple of months saved my sanity!

Good luck

Pippa I second the running pram! Used to put DS to sleep everytime!