Pregnant Runners

mommybrynn · August 2011

Before I got pregnant, I was running 5-7 miles daily, but have since been jogging 3 miles each morning pretty consistently as per my doctor's recommendation to cut it back.. The last few mornings I am REALLY struggling. I feel like I have to pee the whole time even if I go right before I head out and my belly feels very heavy and uncomfortable. I have been trying to alternate walking and jogging, but I get very crampy when I jog and find I have to stop. I couldnt' run with DD because I was high risk, so I don't know how normal this is? Seems early to be so uncomfortable. I have tried eating something, going on an empty stomach, I drink at least 64 oz. of water each day minimum... Any advice? Should I can the running and stick to walking for a while?

sunandsurfmama · August 2011

I was actually more uncomfortable breathing and pace wise in the beginning than I was any other time. I just went on a two miler this morning and felt great!

I attributed it to the increase in blood volume as well as the increase in oxygen intake (for two). Once this was the new normal for my body, everything evened out and I got into a groove again.

So glad I hung in there. Staying active has been my saving grace this pregancy.

I am sure I will have to readjust to my new normal, once the baby is born but I will just take it one day at a time.

I walked whenever I needed, using intervals, power walking or whatever else I needed to do.

My motto became (author unknown) "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch."

GL and hope you find something that works for you and LO.

genekelly · August 2011

Do you have a belly support band? That helped me a lot when my belly started feeling cumbersome. I also switched to only running on the treadmill so I could break for a pee if necessary. I ran until until ~31 wks and then switched to other cardio. I never got really crampy but that would have made me switch to walking and other cardio options. Not worth the risk to the baby in my book.

ThelovelyMrsH · August 2011

I agree with running on the treadmill to be close to the potty. I also go right before I run, and I have noticed that if I just ignore the pee feeling, it usually goes away. I've felt a little crampy, especially during the early part of the second trimester as I had a lot of round ligament pain during weeks 13-16ish, so that may explain the cramps... they were never bad enough for me to stop and wonder, though.

SFAug07 · August 2011

Luckily I never had these issues. I am still running every day for about 8 miles although I am a lot slower than usually and cut out speed work and hill training, and the long runs of more than 15 miles. Last pregnancy I was able to run up to delivery at 40 weeks. I was wearing a support belt last time around but not this time, I don't feel I need it. I am carrying really small so I don't get a lot of bounce.

blu-eyedwife · August 2011

I never had any of those issues either - other than the sense of "bladder urgency" which I just started ignoring. It goes away about half a mile after I start. But the heavy/uncomfortable/crampy feeling doesn't sound like a good thing to me. I haven't had any of that in almost 35 weeks. You need to listen to your body, and if it's telling you to slow down, you may need to slow down.

But on an unrelated note, you should definitely be drinking more than 64 oz of water a day. I don't think that's related to the pain your feeling, but even if you weren't a runner 8 glasses of water a day is nowhere near enough during pregnancy. (And I'm of the philosophy it's not enough when you're not pregnant either)

mommybrynn · August 2011

blu-eyedwife:
I never had any of those issues either - other than the sense of "bladder urgency" which I just started ignoring. It goes away about half a mile after I start. But the heavy/uncomfortable/crampy feeling doesn't sound like a good thing to me. I haven't had any of that in almost 35 weeks. You need to listen to your body, and if it's telling you to slow down, you may need to slow down.

But on an unrelated note, you should definitely be drinking more than 64 oz of water a day. I don't think that's related to the pain your feeling, but even if you weren't a runner 8 glasses of water a day is nowhere near enough during pregnancy. (And I'm of the philosophy it's not enough when you're not pregnant either)

I am talking 64 EXTRA ounces, not counting the water/juice I drink at breakfast, lunch and dinner, so total in a day counting all that it is more like 96 oz. minimum.

mrsredrox · August 2011

Fortunately I didn't have (and still don't) have those issues. While it does feel like I have to pee occasionally, I usually ignore it and it goes away eventually. Sometimes I wear a pad though just in case. I'm still running without stopping but make sure I don't run too far from my house in case I need to stop or go to the bathroom...so I pretty much circle the same loop several times.

I've also cut down my runs to about 4 miles.

kiarstin · August 2011

I feel like i have to pee the minute I run, I mostly run on treadmill now though b/c of heat, I say pee right before and lean forward or push slightly down sounds weird but can help you fully empty your bladder and just power through it. I would think as long as you are not spotting you should be fine to run.

shellylovelee · August 2011

I can only give you my experience, other than that your doctor is obviously the best place to turn.

I've been running moderately (15miles/week) throughout this pregnancy. Issues I've dealt with:

the need to pee even though my bladder was empty (I just ignore it)

round ligament pain that often stopped me in my tracks (I would proceed slowly and eventually it didn't hurt as much)

severe cramping that also made me stop (turns out everytime it was just severe gas due to all of the bouncing causing my bowels to rev up)

lower back pain (I run with a support belt and attempt to keep my pelvic tilted and abs tight)

Other than that, I've loved running throughout and hope to continue up until D-day! Good luck!

mommybrynn · August 2011

Thanks for all of the responses-- I have basically started power walking and feel MUCH better. I guess I just need to listen to my body, hoping I can start to jog again in the next few days, but for now, I am going to stick to the walking.

jghdgj · September 2011

Should I can the running and stick to walking for a while?

llvaziri43 · September 2011

Running can be a hard exercise to maintain while pregnant, because it is heavily a impact sport. Additionally the extra weight gain puts more pressure on your joints.

A great form of exercise through all your trimesters, allowing a safe and healthy environment for you and your baby is swimming. Swimming allows for a no impact environment. I highly recommmend taking up the sport of swimming during your pregnancy.

https://youtu.be/wE2332sEUBc

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