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January 2025 Babies
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Running and other behavioral changes

fk18fk18 member
in January 2025 Babies
Hey all, Are there any other runners in the group? I used to train for and run a half marathon every summer but plan to put a pause on that this year. I do still want to run (2-3 miles a few time per week), but notice my heart rate averages in the 150s-160s.

I’m feeling really worried about my lifestyle choices on tiny baby. I used to run, drink coffee a couple times/week, and take a hot bath at least 1x/week. It’s hard to know what’s wrong or ok. Would love input!
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Re: Running and other behavioral changes

  • MandyBeeSLPMandyBeeSLP member
    I have not run while pregnant, but I think that  at least some running would still be good for you at least for the first couple trimesters. Definitely check with your doctor. 

    I still drink coffee daily (and did in my forst two pregnancies as well) I just cut back to only 1-2 cups a day or just one espresso drink. 

    I know hot tubs are a no-no, but I doubt a warm bath would be a problem, as long as it's not too hot. 

    Truly, you'll see a LOT of advice and articles claiming things are off limits because "better safe than sorry" but that's a terrible way to live, and horrible logic. Always look for science backed reasoning and talk to your doctor. 
    Me: 36, DH: 40
    Married: July 22, 2008
    Fur babies: Yeti (cat) 

    #1 Boy E 9/30/17 
    #2 Girl A 7/27/2020
    #3 ?? ? est. 1/5/2025 
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  • knottie9b6788cbaca351a2knottie9b6788cbaca351a2 member
    I typically run about 15 races a year with most being half’s. I’m at 6 weeks right now and have continued to run 4 days a week. I also have a running friend who trained and paced for a full while pregnant. You just really need to listen to your body. Do not, I repeat DO NOT run through any pain. 
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  • jennie58424jennie58424 member
    First time Mom here! Have been very surprised at how much my NP says is OK vs restrictions as I thought I would hear! Ive been hiking and keeping extremely active thus far, and still drink coffee but keep it to about 1-1.5 cups per day. Congratulations and do what is best for you! It sounds like you have been a runner for along time- double check with your doc but I suspect you will get the green light 😃
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  • elevensieselevensies member
    From what I’ve been told, continuing whatever exercise you’ve already been doing is fine. Personally I have taken my effort down to 80% of the intensity I normally perform at. Well at least this was before the exhaustion and nausea totally knocked me out. All I can muster these days is a walk and some gentle prenatal yoga. Just listening to my body and hope to get back to my normal workout routine in the second trimester 
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  • basedinaustriabasedinaustria member
    I’m not a race-runner by any means, but I go to the gym 2-3x/week (2x weight workout, 1x cycling class) and I run once a week about 5 miles and before/after my workouts on the treadmill.

    I still do my workouts as usual, but I don’t increase the weights, with the runs I didn’t realize any changes in my energy levels yet. But I’m curious about this whole talk about the heart rate. I never really looked at it while running/working out, but it seems like a big deal while pregnant, so I’ll definitely look into that. 
    What are your experiences with that?

    With coffee - I cut it to one cup a day. Still don’t feel the tiredness of the first trimester though, I know I’ll be craving my second cup of coffee by then. 
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  • fk18fk18 member
    @basedinaustria, Before I saw all the hype about heart rates on the internet (haven’t talked to OB about this yet; waiting on nurse intake before they will schedule me 🙄), my heart rate got into the 170s and I felt fine. It was very very early pregnancy though. Now I’m nearly 6 weeks and still feel completely normally running but I’m going much slower, which is really hard for me haha. 

    It’s so reassuring to hear others still drinking a little coffee. I only have about 2 cups/week pre-baby, so I feel like it is one thing I don’t have to change. 
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  • bass04bass04 member
    I’m not a runner but do work out 5-6 days a week.  I was told not let my HR get above 140 or to life above 25 pounds which I was surprised were restrictions this early on.   I’ve been spotting on and off this last week so now I’m restricted to just walking for exercise.   🙁
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  • neeberdieneeberdie member
    I was training for a 10k before I found out I was pregnant. When I found out, I asked my doctor if it is ok that I participate in that race and he said to go for it, just stay hydrated and stop if I feel I need to. Race day is tomorrow! I'll just go in with the attitude that I can start walking at any time. 
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  • ndthornburgndthornburg member
    I’m so glad I found this discussion! I’m not a runner as many others mentioned in their responses, but I did get into a regular gym routine this year. This is my first pregnancy and I’m so nervous about doing anything that could hurt baby. Since I already know that my heart rate easily hits 160s when I’m working out, I decided to pause until my first appointment next week and can ask for specific parameters. Plus the fatigue and nausea are hitting me hard this week (week 6) so who knows if I’ll even be up for going back when I do get the all clear. Either way, I’m looking forward to my Dr easing my nerves and telling me to relax! This app really does help in the meantime 
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  • Mamazon2014Mamazon2014 member
    Also not a runner, but I’m active and do Zumba along with rowing and other workouts. My OB said that I’m good to continue with what I’m doing so long as I’m not overdoing it or hitting peak heart zones, and that as my pregnancy progresses, I’ll likely just need to modify more to reduce intensity and find lower impact alternatives to certain moves. She did caution that by the end of 2nd tri it might be harder for me to strap in for rowing and maintain good form, but said that I could keep on keeping on until it became uncomfortable. Right now I’m not doing a whole lot outside of Prenatal Pilates and yoga stretches, though,  because the 8 week fatigue and nausea have me in a stronghold. 

    I did drastically cut down on my caffeine consumption. I won’t lie, I’m an energy drink and espresso junkie, so getting rid of my Alani Nu energy drinks has been a rough transition, especially during these last few weeks of the school year. I’m now just 
    limiting myself to my protein coffees in the am which have between 70-100mg of caffeine depending on the shakes I use. 


     








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  • fk18fk18 member
    @Mamazon2014, I got the same guidance from my OB clinic and also have gotten crazy fatigued in the last couple of days!! I haven’t changed my caffeine intake so assuming this is just where I’m at in pregnancy. I have a run planned this afternoon and we will see if that happens haha 
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  • fk18fk18 member
    (To clarify, I barely drank caffeine to start)
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  • babywiikbabywiik member
    Anything you did prior to pregnancy in relation to exercise you can continue. Hot water/saunas are fine just limit your exposure to 15ish minutes and let your core temperature cool off before going back in. Everything in moderation 😊
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  • jessicacarey01jessicacarey01 member
    I'm an avid runner and am planning on continuing all races planned as long as I am comfortable and not in pain! I'm 40 yrs old, first pregnancy and currently at 11 week. I ran one marathon (unknowingly) at 2 weeks pregnant and another at 8 weeks, on a 5 min run/2 min walk interval so lots of rest & water! I read recently in a Bump post that the 140bpm is old and it's really "on feel" for your body so I'm going with that until told otherwise! Like everyone else I'm continuing with my 1-1.5 cups of coffee. I have an ultra in Sept, two marathons in Oct and one in Nov right now. I may be too uncomfortable by Nov but going to wait and see. The cutoff is 7 hrs 45 min so I may be able to get away with walking most & shuffling a little!
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  • fk18fk18 member
    wow you are way out of my running league 😂 I’m opting out of races for now (half marathons are my go to), just because I’m not good at turning it off and listening to my body. I WOULD be the pregnant lady to pass out during the race 🤦‍♀️
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  • joyy-02joyy-02 member
    As someone who is an active runner as well as has a heart condition that makes my heart spike on a regular basis, I would say that with what you were describing you shouldn’t let the worry get to you too much. Definitely consult with your doctor if it is making you feel anxious, but truly everyone’s body is different and your body really will know what’s best. For me my heart can hit the 190s when running without being alarming, and just focusing on my breathing and other body signs instead for what is pushing too hard when it comes to running and baby right now. For others that will obviously look a little different. However, I don’t believe a few coffees a day, or running throughout your pregnancy should be of much alarm unless you are running through pain with it. I hope that you will be at ease with learning to trust your own body and that it will know what is too much for baby, and there really isn’t one answer for all bodies out there and what they’re capable of! 
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  • fk18fk18 member
    Hey all - I’m reactivating this thread! How are all the bump runners due in January doing? Still running?? 

    I’ve noticed my runs are getting shorter and shorter due to fatigue and, this week, what seems like a circulation issue. My calfs and feet will randomly start to get sore mid runs - I’ve never experienced this running before! Interchanging between walking and running helps. Probably getting 2-3 mini runs in/week. 
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  • totalhavoctotalhavoc member
    Your OB has the final say on this, but, from everything I've read:
    - it should be fine for you to run as much as you did pre-pregnancy. Usually it's recommended not to amp up your workouts and stay away from any workouts/sports that can cause you to fall easily (skiing, rollerblading, etc.) or have your belly hit (wrestling, kickboxing, football, etc.)
    - some caffeine is fine during pregnancy. 1 cup a day is below the recommendation for caffeine intake. 
    - hot baths are okay. Hot tubs are not okay. You want to keep your body temp below I think 105°F 
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  • strongishmomstrongishmom member
    I’m an inconsistent runner at best but just to jump in re: coffee, I switched to half-caff about a year ago as instructed by my doctor. It’s actually made it a lot easier to adjust to pregnancy - previously I was drinking a couple of cups per day. It allows me to not focus so much about the volume and when I have something else caffeinated later in the day I don’t worry about it. Decaf coffee has come a long way, it’s pretty easy to find (especially for espresso drinks) and tasty!
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