I have been a regular runner (3-6x per week) for the past 3 years. I stopped cold turkey with all exercise in early Nov when I got my BFP due to fear of complications, then continued not to exercise due to several weeks of spotting. I'll be 12 weeks next weekend and feel ready to start exercising again. What are your thoughts on picking back up my running during pregnancy at slow pace and short distances after 2 month break?
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Oops - posted to wrong board
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Obviously the best answer is-- ask your doc!
That being said, I was never a runner and started jogging this summer 3 mo before I got pregnant. I quit around 6 weeks because I was so nauseous every time I tried and I haven't picked it back up. But, if I was so inclined I wouldn't personally be worried about doing so (I'm 22 weeks). I would definitely take it slow and not let my heart rate get crazy high, and also take care not to fall because being pregnant does make you clumsier than usual. But my doctor has encouraged moderate exercise so I'd feel fine about it if I wanted to.
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I'd ask your OB. I remember my OB saying no but if I REALLY wanted to VERY slowly and only for 10 minutes when I asked to use the elliptical machine but I wasn't using it before either. So I ended up not using it just in case.
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I agree with PPs in asking the Dr. Mine told me to NOT run because it had caused me to tweek a ligament in my hip/groin and my weight gain and shift would only further change things. He instead recommended I use the elliptical or swim. However, it's also very snowy and icy where I live, so that likely had a lot to do with his response.
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My OB said no running after 15 weeks but then immediately followed it up with a story about one of her patients who had run a marathon at 7 months pregnant. She said the baby was fine but she had advised against it because you're taking oxygen away from the baby when you run.
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@runnerd: I agree with asking your OB! Mine told me that in general, activities you engaged in before pregnancy are healthy during pregnancy, but it's not a good idea to introduce an exercise routine into pregnancy if you didn't regularly exercise before.
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Agreed with ask your doctor. I took the first trimester off completely because I was so sick and exercise made it much worse. My doctor told me it would be fine to resume what I was doing before (regular running & strength training) when I felt better, as long as I was careful and listened to my body.
It turned out that I didn't feel better until around 20-21 weeks, and I've only been able to exercise sporadically because walking on the treadmill was giving me severe abdominal pain. I'm itching to do more, but I know it's best for my body if I take it easy.
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I generally follow the "if it feels good, do it" guideline. I would start with walking and some jogging intervals just to get going. You can't undo 3-6 years of regular running in only 8 weeks.
your body will adapt to the cardiovascular exercise by making more blood vessels in your placenta for oxygen to travel to the baby. it's really neat! I think you pretty much have to go anaerobic in order to inhibit the oxygen flow, and I highly doubt you're going to do insane sprints or anything.
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Agree that you should consult your doctor. My MW was fine with me resuming jogging after a hiatus in the first tri, as long as I was mindful of my relaxed ligaments and careful not to push myself too hard. However, when I tried I found that I got so short of breath, I just couldn't actually do any decent jogging. I ended up just walking a lot and doing yoga. I'm looking forward to jogging again once I'm cleared to do it postpartum, assuming I can ever find time...
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Take my advice with a grain of salt, because I haven't been pregnant or had a baby yet, but as a runner with a very large circle of running friends, I think you would be fine to start some slow running as soon as you feel up to it. I've known many women who have run right up until the day they gave birth. I know several women who have run half and full marathons while pregnant. All of their babies have come out happy and healthy.
You should consult with your OB, but I think the general consensus is not to START a new exercising routine when pregnant (ie don't suddenly take up running if you're out of shape) and don't let your heart rate get super high.
I think if you wanted to run a couple slow miles here and there, it'd be great!!
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I'm a marathon runner, but scaled down quite a bit during the first trimester due to nausea and general fatigue. Once I hit second trimester I upped my mileage and ran a half at 16 weeks and am hoping to run another one in a couple of months. I feel like if you're an experienced runner, getting back into short distances now won't be an issue at all, as long as you listen to your body and take it slow.
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