Running/jogging when pregnant

[dusty]

My BF is 20 weeks and runs for pleasure about 50mins 1-2 times a week. She says her midwife isn't too concerned about it but I wondered how others have managed running while pregnant and when it started to be difficult or when it starts to be of concern (if at all) to a pregnancy.

She is 29, superfit, cycles everyday and doesn't have too large a belly yet. I can imagine she will want to be as physically active as possible for as long as she can. She has had no problems at all during her 20 weeks.

Would love to hear of your experiences/advice.

[alioops]

If she has not started a new exercise regime, continuing as she was before preg is perfectly fine. It is when people start new exercise regimes that there can be problems with overheating and incresed HR

[~Kaz~]

Yup - my gym told me the same as Ali said. Maintaining the pre-preg level of fitness is fine but starting out on a big exercise regime for the first time when pg is not on. I am not a runner but was going to the gym before falling pg and in the early days. I ran briefly the other day to stop a door slamming in the wind that I wanted to get through and felt a bit unwell for a few minutes afterwards. I had only just eaten breakfast but I think I am less fit now than I was before.

I think your friend will be fine for while yet - she sounds awesome! She may slow down towards the last few weeks though.

[dusty]

Thanks ladies, I figured she wont push beyond the limits but I am concerned to ensure she is aware of the realities.

[Snacks]

My friend is similar, loves running and ran until I think around 24 weeks? She said she started to struggle then as her belly popped out and she felt heavier. After that she just walked.
As long as she pays attention to what her body is telling her she should be fine!
My dr said that as a rule they suggest your temp shouldn't get higher than 40 degrees because we can sweat to cool down but bubs can't. (So running in the hottest part of the day really isn't a good idea... Not that it is anyway! But YKWIM.)

[runnermum]

Dusty - I am a competitive runner and triathlete and ran through my entire 1st pregnancy and didn't have any problems at all. I found that about 26 weeks or so you start to slow down, and by 32-35 weeks it is more of a jog than anything else...

now I am 30 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and still running 5 days a week, swimming 2 times a week, yoga and light weights at home also. But this is what I AM USED TO, in fact a real decline in what I usually do - I take a rest day whenever I feel like it from running, run first thing in the morning to avoid the heat (and you feel lighter also!!).

i have found it really helps me from getting many aches and pains, blood pressure great and energy levels are good, IF I DON'T overdo it - I used to be able to do a 7-10km run in the morning and then swim 1-2kms in the afternoon until about 27 weeks but I cannot do that now at 30 weeks - just one of these is enough.

hope this helps. If you are fit and used to it, keep it up but always rest or tone it down if you need to.

[dusty]

Thanks runnermum, I had hoped you would see my thread!

Running will help keep my BF sane as she loves to move. Glad to hear that it should be ok as long as she listens to her body.
xx