View Full Version : Running while pregnant??
As the title suggests just wondering if anyone is still running/jogging now that they are pregnant?
I still am but shorter and lower intensity. Not out of breath or red in the face. Ok'd as I was doing before.
sjcreevey
12-04-2012, 23:34
Hi, im a runner and while im only 8 weeks i am still running and see a personal trainer twice a week. With my first pregnancy i tried to keep running but the morning sickness had keeled over all day for ages so i couldnt start back up again. But, this time i am feeling good so still running. My OB said as long as you had the fitness before you fell pregnant your fine. Just dont push too hard, lots of water and if anything hurts just stop.
I'm planning on running in the HBF Run For A Reason (14kms) at the end of May and i'll be 15 weeks, i'll just keep training if my body (or baby) lets me!
Good Luck!
our3boys
13-04-2012, 06:31
Not me but a friend of mine is still running 5 km everyday she is 34 weeks pregnant with her third did it with her second as well. As long as the fitness was there before then there is no problem with it.
Thanks ladies. Yes the fitness is already there. Last pregnancy I had to stop after about 7 weeks due to a large bleed and I lost all fitness. I've only just found out I'm pregnant again and am being cautious but still running. Running is my stress reliever and I hate not doing it.
Dr is fine as long as not out of breath (still talk) and not too hot.
Wishing you both happy healthy pregnancies.
HouseOfFun
13-04-2012, 14:22
Good on you all for staying fit. Be cautious with running/bouncing movements though as they do place added strain on your pelvic floor muscles when pregnant.
jessicana
22-04-2012, 15:07
I ran with my twins up until about 20 weeks and then it got a bit uncomfortable, but I still did pump and spin classes until the end.
mum2one99
22-04-2012, 21:40
sorry but think of all that extra weight bouncing repetitively on your pelvic floor with running!! id rather lose my fitness temporarily (or switch to something less high impact) than wreck the one muscle in my body that i REALLY want to keep in good condition. im no expert but id be speaking to a womens health physio about benefits vs risks on running whilst pregnant.
Not me, but a friend of mine went in a fun run a couple of weeks before giving birth and kept up the exercise throughout the pregnancy. Baby was perfectly fine and she said the exercise really helped for labour. She is fine herself now, looks fab in fact :)
I have a placenta previa so I am only walking, as long as you had the fitness and the blessing of treating professionals I'd say keep it up. Maybe really focus on pelvic floor as well ;)
I wouldn't be worried about the baby really, more long term damage to your back, joints and pelvic floor. There are plenty of other low impact exercises to do. Running is hard to give up but it's only for a little while.
LoveyDovey
23-04-2012, 00:22
My GP told me to give up all high impact excercise including running. He instead suggested walking and swimming as safer alternatives. I'm of the mentality that it's better to be safe than sorry so I'm overly cautious.
Rose&Aurelia
23-04-2012, 08:51
Can I burst the bubble on strong pelvic floors? Im a yoga/pilates nut and prior to DDs birth had a very strong pelvic floor only to have a hard labour cos it was too strong and her head could push thru properly. Her head tilted and ended up posterior. She had to vac extracted.
This time I'm avoiding strengthening it too much during pregnancy but will save it for post baby.
I agree with PP. If you have had the fitness pre baby continue. I'm still doing body pump at 32wks with body balance and pilates. Be careful with swimming in late pregnancy as it can cause the baby to de-engage due to buoyancy.
romaverona
23-04-2012, 15:37
I am. Just 4 weeks and bit though. Was running every day before though. Took a few weeks off for IVF but am clear to start again.
Trying to keep to short runs and to not get overheated so running early in the morning. Thank goodness it's nearly winter.
Am swimming more often now, used to be once a week for an hour but cutting back to 40 and trying it twice a week.
sjcreevey
24-04-2012, 12:19
Izzys Mummy - my mother in law had the same problem back in her day.
I met with my OB for the first time last week (im 9 weeks) and i asked him about running and he said its perfectly fine and will not hurt the baby at all, in fact he said it will help keep my joints and muscles strong as i get bigger. Obviously you listen to your body and if your back or anything hurts you stop! Im only doing small distances of 5-7kms and i feel great, my heart rate sits at around 150-165bpm and my OB said that is fine, mostly because i had the fitness before hand and my body is comfortable at keeping at that bpm for an extended time. As i get bigger i'll just play it by ear and see how i feel.
Kiplusthree
27-04-2012, 13:14
Can I burst the bubble on strong pelvic floors? Im a yoga/pilates nut and prior to DDs birth had a very strong pelvic floor only to have a hard labour cos it was too strong and her head could push thru properly. Her head tilted and ended up posterior. She had to vac extracted.
This time I'm avoiding strengthening it too much during pregnancy but will save it for post baby.
I agree with PP. If you have had the fitness pre baby continue. I'm still doing body pump at 32wks with body balance and pilates. Be careful with swimming in late pregnancy as it can cause the baby to de-engage due to buoyancy.
Izzys Mummy - I would love to have a good chat with you :)
I got super into health nutrition an d fittness after bub #2 and wound up with seriously toned everything and feeling great.. Always love to hear from people who are educated in anything health and fittness, never too late to learn something new!
OP- I was running until about 8 weeks (Previously running up to 5k in 29min 18 months post bub #2) then my body decided no and I threw up one day then just couldnt do it without belly hurting.
I gave up and got depressed about it for a while, stopped watching what I ate and excercising much at all..
Since 20 weeks I sucked it up again and began lighter speedwalking (between 6-6.6k speed) for 3-4 ks every night and cleaned up my diet as much as I could, gradually cutting things out and replacing with good wholesome foods again.
I'm now 29+3 weeks and have started a health challenge of purely clean eating (only moderate complex carbs, Low GI, High protien, balanced meals daily) taking note of how much of each nutrients im having throughout the day, 0 junk including beloved chocolate and plenty of fresh veges and home made salads, lean meats, eggs, wholemeal/multigrain brown breads, milk, organice yoghurt with no added sugar, some darem wheat pasta etc etc
Ive managed to balance out 4-5 days a week of alternating my speedwalks with light muscle toning excercises with super light weights.. I do a little bit of squats, lunges, military press and stuff like that. NOTHING core foccussed and lots of light cardio :)
I think in the long run if you stay fit and strong within reason throughout pregnancy it is better for you! Especially for labour and recovery, and eating only the healthiest and huge range of healthy (so no cutting out anything with nutritional content or fad diet BS) is incredible for baby :) Making sure you eat enough in each day to steadily gain the right weright you need to maintain bubs growth :)
Rose&Aurelia
27-04-2012, 15:31
Izzys Mummy - I would love to have a good chat with you :)
I got super into health nutrition an d fittness after bub #2 and wound up with seriously toned everything and feeling great.. Always love to hear from people who are educated in anything health and fittness, never too late to learn something new!
:)
Just pm me :)
romaverona
27-04-2012, 15:59
Kiplusthree, I found your post really helpful and motivating.
Thanks for sharing your own experiences. All the best for your delivery.
XXX
sjcreevey
30-04-2012, 11:25
That's great Kiplusthree! I am 10+2 and the last week have been eating badly! I am usually a very good eater but somehow my normal judgement on food choices has lapsed and i feel yuk! I have just picked up James Duigan's Lean and Clean Diet book which i read post baby 1 and its all about what you said, organic (if possible) and lean meats, vegies and salad with moderate good carbs. Its a great eating plan and one which i have basically stuck to for over a year. I just need to read the part again about why sugar is the devil!
Regarding running my ave time per km has suddenly dropped from 5.30 mins per km to 6.20! Slow but i dont care i just crusey jog along and not letting the slow pace bother me! I am still doing 2 x PT sessions a week but they are mostly weights and my trainer is great, gives me lots of breaks and has changed my training a bit since pregnant - less sprints and very high intensity cardio and more toning, back and core. So far i feel great with each session so will keep it up as long as i can!!
But for now, time to remind myself to stop eating apple crumple and ice cream!!
Ellyjan10
08-05-2012, 16:39
Wow so amazing to see so many people excesising so far into pregnancy. I found women's health bump issue was good. I don't want to give up running but you do have to be careful how high your heart rate gets and how hot you get especially in early pregnancy. Your body knows best. Listen to it.
HouseOfFun
08-05-2012, 17:09
Yes, high tone in pelvic floor muscles can cause issues in labour. I had the same problem and unfortunately copped an episiotomy to release them. I realise now that I was trying to push too much with my pelvic floor mucles instead of relaxing them/letting them go and pushing with my upper abdominal muscles. Often when anxious your muscles will be more tense.
Ontherun
23-05-2012, 21:16
I am so confused about this...I love running and am terrified of losing all my fitness. However so many people have been negative!!
My OB has ok'd me to continue running and weight training with reduced weight, as that i was doing before about 5 days a week. He said watch heat, exertion level (ie if you can't talk you are going to hard), hydration and comfort. Listen to your body, you will know if it feels ok. Sometimes I feel fine, other days I walk, other days I do nothing.
Check with your caregiver if you are concerned. Let them guide you. Alternatively if you go to a gym see a personal trainer for a training plan.
tiggerfields
23-05-2012, 22:34
With DS5 I ran five days a week between 5-9kms/day until 7.5 months.
Koberose
23-05-2012, 22:56
With DS5 I ran five days a week between 5-9kms/day until 7.5 months.
I mean this in the nicest way possible but are you crazy!!! I'm 31 weeks and struggle to walk!!
Hahaha just kidding I am actually very jealous and wish I could do that and have your stamina! That's amazing!!
(who am I kidding I couldn't run 5kms before I was pregnant ) :p
tiggerfields
23-05-2012, 23:17
I was running half marathons before I fell pg so it's all in the preparation I think :)
Ffrenchknickers
23-07-2012, 08:27
I ran until way past 20 weeks with all of mine. I kept up teaching high impact aerobics and lifting heavy weights until days before I went into labour. Unless yu are high risk there is NO reasonto stop. Just listen to your body :)
ToughLove
24-07-2012, 19:43
With DD,I speed-walked for about an hour a day, twice a day. I went from a track champ to pregnancy. I gave up hurdles, vault, and cross country, but kept speed walking and running.
I also did many squats and lunges every day to help labour.
I believe it was a huge help in my hour long labour with a 10 pounder!
With this one, I'm walking, running every second day, and will start squats in a few weeks.
Think I am out of the running game. I have been really sick with the flu for two weeks and have done nothing. Not sure my body will agree with starting running again. Walking and weights for me
elleandsam
04-08-2012, 17:03
That is so not true firles and in fact exercise is very good during pregnancy. Running doesn't cause miscarriage or make a baby move to another location in your uterus.
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delirium
04-08-2012, 17:05
That is so not true firles and in fact exercise is very good during pregnancy. Running doesn't cause miscarriage or make a baby move to another location in your uterus.
Sent from my GT-S6102 using BubHub
I agree and the above is a spammer anyway, so ignore them. As long as the woman isn't overheating the body too much it's safe, infact it's healthy to continue sensible exercise all the way thru if possible.
and not that I should even acknowledge our spammer, but call me crazy here.... running on a treadmill is still running? :laughing:
It's great to read so many pregnant women are still out there running :)
I am sure we are doing a favor to both ourselves and our bubs, so I don't plan on stopping until my body is telling me so. Then I will prob swap to swimming or just walking.
Is spin ok when further along in the pregnancy?
I can't wait to bother my OB with all these questions :D
delirium
06-08-2012, 11:43
I would actually think spin would be one of the better cardios for pg women bc it's low impact. As long as you aren't getting your temp up really high it should be fine.
I personally can't do spin because of a prior tailbone/pelvic injury and I find the seat pressure is too much. I think otherwise it would be fine as long as you don't get too hot like delirium said
romaverona
17-08-2012, 14:23
Ladies
I think I'm in my final weeks of running (very slowly) already. My friend was saying she got up to 24 weeks but I think I'll be through with running around 22 (next week).
Though my bump doesn't look huge, it is starting to press down on my bladder when I run. Not a good look or feeling....
Never mind, was good while it lasted.
Hope you're all travelling well with the fitness thing. It can be hard some days, but with the weather hopefully warming up soon, hoping to have more incentive to get out for walks.
XXX
Ladies
I think I'm in my final weeks of running (very slowly) already. My friend was saying she got up to 24 weeks but I think I'll be through with running around 22 (next week).
Though my bump doesn't look huge, it is starting to press down on my bladder when I run. Not a good look or feeling....
Never mind, was good while it lasted.
Hope you're all travelling well with the fitness thing. It can be hard some days, but with the weather hopefully warming up soon, hoping to have more incentive to get out for walks.
XXX
I'm in the same boat here. Haven't been this week due to a cold but last (21 weeks) I was having the same discomfort. I will see how I go next week. I'm going to miss its head clearing magic
I saw my ob for the first time recently and he said that running is fine but stationary bike is NOT after 20 weeks, for balance.
I'm not a big runner or spinner either way, but I enjoy cross training and doing intervals, so I run for 30 seconds and walk for 30 seconds etc and will continue to do so until I can.
How far along are you Embee?
I'm seeing my OB tomorrow. I'm 24 weeks and still running up to 5km broken up by walking for 2-3 mins a couple of times a week.
I feel good now whereas a two weeks a go I thought I was done.
I hope the OB is ok with me continuing.
Only 10 weeks. If you've always been a runner it should be fine.
OB completely happy with me still running. I have a slight ab separation from my first pregnancy which he is keeling an eye on. He will give me an abdominal binder if it worsens. Happy running
captainscaptain
28-08-2012, 20:37
I think I ran until second trimester. Some run till much later...as far as I know it's fine as long as you had the fitness before and don't start running out of the blue during pregnancy!
Being at risk for certain medical conditions can halt even seasoned runners from running during pregnancy. Always consult your physician before embarking on an exercise program while you're expecting.
"Problems can include placenta previa, preterm labor, short cervix, preeclampsia, or a growth restricted baby," says Dr. Annette Perez-Delboy, MD of Columbia Eastside in New York. If you suffer from any of these conditions, it's going to be time-out for you until your baby arrives.
resonance
28-10-2012, 12:14
Thanks for the inspiration. I'm 18 weeks and have been running 3-5km x 5 days a week, and feeling great. A friend just warned me about the possibility of having a prolapse, however I feel, as has been said above, that the best source of information is listening to my own body!
Also, it doesn't hurt reading about everyone else's positive experiences :) Thank you.
At 11 weeks I was strongly advised by OB and physio to quit the running as it would put too much strain on my pelvic floor...
Not sure how much truth there is in that but chose to stop running and start walking instead. I'm so scared of incontinence and the like :-/
Can't wait to get back into it though!
I'm 32 weeks and have just stopped running 3-5km x3 times a week now. As the weeks progressed i introduced minutes of walking and my speed decreased a lot. Ob was very supportive as long as I wasn't experiencing pain etc. Pelvis started to ache this week when I ran and felt heavier so I'm done. Walking and swimming for me now. All the best. I feel amazing for staying fit.
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