Jogging During all 3 Trimesters

ydiaz38

I have asked 2 different doctors if it?s ok for me to keep jogging during all 3 trimesters and they both said it?s not recommended. But I have read studies that show jogging is ok during pregnancy. I'm registered to run the NYC marathon in November, and I don't know what I should do. I love to jog and I have been training for the marathon for 2 years. I don?t want to stop jogging for the next 7 months. What do you guys think?

browneyes_24b

It is not the norm, but there are women who run/jog up until the day they give birth.  It all comes down to how you feel during your pregnancy and if you don't feel good running or jogging, then you need to listen to your body.  If you feel great running, then more power to you!

 

iggy.d

If the docs discourage it I'd take their word for it. 

ESaub

My SIL ran through most of her pregnancy. She was a huge runner before so I think it was easier for her to just continue with what she was used to. I jog occasionally but now that I'm pregnant I'm going to stop. I get on the treadmill and put it on an incline and walk for an hour or so to get my heart rate up. I'm also going to start swimming and doing yoga. I used to do hot yoga but of course I'm switching out of that. I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable with.

MsCrispy

I think jogging is one thing, I think training for a marathon is another. Have you ever run one? I've run a marathon and even with a lot of training it takes a toll on your body. I don't think it's a good idea to run that much while pregnant.

That said, I don't think jogging a few miles a day is bad. From what I've read, if you've been running, you can continue, but you shouldn't be training or pushing your body.

atizon

I've read a lot that if you were a jogger before you were pregnant that it's safe to keep running. But you should not over do it. You need breaks and more water. A Marathon seems a bit to much. /

There's always next year. I would listen to the doc.

MrsNash37212

MsCrispy:

I think jogging is one thing, I think training for a marathon is another. Have you ever run one? I've run a marathon and even with a lot of training it takes a toll on your body. I don't think it's a good idea to run that much while pregnant.

That said, I don't think jogging a few miles a day is bad. From what I've read, if you've been running, you can continue, but you shouldn't be training or pushing your body.

This. I think it's ridiculous if your doctors truly told you that jogging isn't recommended. That is extremely old advice. Running is great exercise for you and the babe as long as you stay hydrated and listen to your body when it tells you to slow down. Several of my friends ran throughout their pregnancies and had the textbook easier delivery, normal birthweight baby, etc. BUT, training for a marathon is another thing altogether. If you're used to running several miles a day, keep it up. But if that would be a new thing for you, stick to what you were doing before the pregnancy.

mmbaby32

I would honestly listen to your doctors!

kaydi327

I had some brown spotting and while the baby is fine, the doctor told me to hold off from running until there has been no spotting for two weeks.  Everything I've read indicates that it is fine otherwise, but I am heeding the doctor's order.  Prior to the spotting my pace had decreased to two minutes slower per mile.  I never thought I would say this but I am happy to have a running break- I am so exhausted!

desy_dawn

My doctor says that you should keep doing what you are used to.  If your body says to stop...stop!  There is a lady on here who ran all through her pregnancy and ran a marathon a few months after her baby was born.  I wouldn't do tons of 18 mile Saturdays.  What are you up to now? 

I think that lady also ran Boston at 26 weeks.  She is September Mommy.  You should chat with her!

mabst196

You should be able to keep up what you did before pregnancy. Not sure when you are due, but I don't think you're going to want to run a marathon in Nov. I made it to 27 weeks running with DD before my back hurt too much. I slowed down and shortened my distance immensely as well.

kg_08

Some do, but honestly I don't know why or how.

The jarring isn't recommended for the baby, and I know that I would NEVER have been able to jog at the end of my pregnancy. I WALKED 3 miles around 37 weeks and I literally thought I was going to break in half and die later that day.

I wouldn't recommend it at all.

marriedtoeric

When are you due?  Most women aren't cleared to work out until 6 weeks post-partum...which means you might not be cleared to run AT ALL yet on the day of the marathon, depending on when your baby comes.  I'd be inclined to defer my entry.

Take this with a grain of salt. I'm a runner.  I ran a half during this pregnancy already, although the rest of my training has gone down the toilet b/c I've been sick and really tired.  Even if you jog throughout your pregnancy, being off exercise entirely for the six weeks leading up to your marathon is not smart, nor is it healthy.  For a perfect example, see Paula Radcliffe's pelvic stress fracture story--she came back too quickly after her first baby, and she's the world record holder.  

Whenever you do decide to stop running during your pregnancy, listen to your body.  Same goes for coming back after pregnancy--I have several runner friends who have told me that after their pregnancies, they were only able to run a mile or two at a time when they first were getting back into it.  Don't overdo it, or you'll pay the consequences through injury later.  

Ali080605

My SIL ran 5 miles a day during 1st tri, 4 during 2nd, & 3 during 3rd.  She ran three miles the day she went into labor.

 Her baby was low birth weight (probably b/c she was fanatical about what she ate, & only gained 15 lbs) but he seems fine.  He's 4 months old now.

Senora Frog

ACOG recommends keeping up with your exercising including running as long as your HR does not go above 140 bpm.  I am also a runner and love it, but have been advised by my OB not to for the 1st 12 weeks because of spotting caused by low progesterone (for which I'm taking crinone for now).  But I have spring races that I've signed up and hoping to sign up for (but no more than half marathons now) and I'm hoping to start training after the 12 week mark.  ACOG also recommends that you should keep running ONLY if you were a pretty consistent runner before you got preggo... only because your body is cnditioned for the most part.  A pregnant woman is actually a more efficient runner because of the increased blood flow and more efficient use of oxygen.  Just watch the HR... those inclines (bridges in NY) could increase your HR a bit.  

And don't forgot those pelvic floor contractions.  You'll have this growing baby in your womb that is bouncing around on a hammock in your pelvis as you run... so keep 'em tight, so you don't dribble while you run.

I would suggest a more beginner's training program as well.  I just remember marathon training pre-preggo and it screwed with my hormones, making me amennorheic for a while because the decrease in body fat during that intense training skewed my estrogen production.  So that would be a risk factor I'd talk to your OB about.  You might be able to still jog/ walk the marathon... but maybe not at your PR

Good luck!  Happy pregnancy!

00tedsgirl

My doc said I could continue jogging but no training.  But, I felt so tired and weak and slow later in my 1st tri, that I stopped.  I'll be very happy to get back to it after baby comes.  Jogging is great for strong bones.

unm00red

My sense is that the doctors you asked are going to error on the side of caution.  I would encourage you to find other serious female runners who've continued to run through pregnancy and speak with them about their experiences and how they may have modified their training.

I agree with several of the ladies to slow down a bit, listen closely to your body, and adjust your running accordingly.

If you decide to run throughout your pregnancy, you're going to be outside the social norm and probably take some flak for it.  I think you're going to have to be pretty active in educating yourself.