Running Pregnant is OK!
In my first blog post ever, I wrote an article entitled, Running Pregnant – Before, During, and After Baby – It’s A No Brainer for Runners, in 2008. It became one of my most popular posts and basically was the inspiration behind launching Runners Illustrated. In the article, I reminisced about how I ran the 2002 San Diego Marathon two months pregnant. Women from around the world commented on the post and I thought, gee I am onto something here.
As we move our way from Spring to Summer, and because I am surrounded by 3 pregnant women at work, I figured it was a good time to remind women, that running while pregnant is OK, but you still need to be careful and mind your body during training. I would like to suggest an article I wrote about Gretchen Lynch called, “Training Pregnant and Postpartum: Precautions, Prevention, and Marathons,” which covers what can happen when complications arise. I will always commend Gretchen for her bravery in talking with me. Gretchen was literally having issues as she and I were working on the article. Due to her complications, I originally had to remove the story from the internet, but was fortunate enough to be able to publish it after we learned that Gretchen was not going to lose her baby (which was so much more important than the article).
My Story
Getting pregnant while training was something I had not planned on, but as fate would have it, this was a great way to get through the first few months of my first pregnancy without sitting around and stewing about it. With a marathon on the horizon, I asked my doctor if it was alright that I keep training. He was an advocate of my training so I kept up my mileage and took care of myself. Fatigue was an issue but I dutifully met my training partner for long runs on Saturdays and got through them. Before I ran the San Diego marathon, I’d already completed several long runs up to 20 miles. That year, the temperature got up into the 80s and people were fainting so I ran slowly and make sure I took in plenty of fluids during the race. A week after the marathon I got a plane and took a trip to London with my husband and then continued to run when I got back from Europe. As time went on I decided to stop running because it became uncomfortable for me to run. This was at about five or six months and while I did not gain a lot of weight, I just decided to back off. I walked and did other exercise and was back in my jeans two or three weeks after giving birth. I have never regretted my decision not to run all the way through my pregnancy. In fact, which my second child I barely ran at all but did a lot of other types of exercise. I ended up giving birth to him at home, and that was a surprise for everyone involved. Now, I’m running stronger than ever. There is life in running after birth!
Women Want To Run and Train During Pregnancy
In 2007, a woman by the name of Kaitlin Garrett posted a query to Active.com about her upcoming pregnancy.
I have been training for my first marathon and have reached 22 miles in my long run. I was feeling a little slower and slowed down. I felt discouraged until I found out I am pregnant. I will be 12 weeks pregnant at marathon time! This is my fourth pregnancy. I ran until about 22 weeks with my previous pregnancies. If Dr. gives me the go ahead should I? Anyone experienced this? Thanks!
I see posts like this all around the internet and women are so supportive. First of all, there is no reason to quit training while running. For inspiration, look no further than UK marathon star, Paula Radcliffe, who WON the 2007 NYC marathon just 11 months post-partum. Radcliffe trained until the day before she went into labor and started training again less than two weeks after giving birth. While not all of us will be able to do this, Radcliffe proved that marathoners can train through and right after pregnancy.
Be Careful About Injury However
Esther Prins, a good friend of mine and great distance runner, ran pregnant with her daughter, Lily, until her water broke. Unfortuntately, while she was able to start running right after giving birth, Esther suffered terrible knee issues and had to stop training for a while. So there are some downsides to training all the way through pregnancy and starting up again right afterwards. Depending on how much weight you gain and how training with the weight affects your limbs, sometimes we have to be careful after giving birth because hormones, fatigue, emotions and many other factors can affect training.
And when there is pain and a potential complication, you need to be smart. I found this post on www.allexpert.com:
Hello,
I am an experienced runner. I ran two marathons last year and maintained my running at a lower (15km long runs weekly) after the marathons. I have been keeping up my running during my pregnancy. I am 19 weeks pregnant now and am wondering about the safety of running a half marathon in a week from now. I have been feeling aches in my lower abdomen/pelvic bone after a long run, but the pain subsides after I rest. I have also felt a few jabbing pains on one side of my tummy (not during a run) and those came and went quickly. Is this normal pregnancy discomfort or is it a result of my running? Should I discontinue/back off my running for the remainder of the pregnancy? What are the risks to the baby and myself If any.
Thanks
The OBGYN who responded to this noted that “achiness in the pelvic bone is a red flag for possible pelvic instability.” Please go to this link and read the whole response. http://en.allexperts.com/q/ObGyn-Pregnancy-issues-1007/2008/5/Running-Half-Marathon-20.htm#b. I believe that by reading and learning, women can make smart choices while running pregnant.
For many of us though, running (and racing) through pregnancy is totally OK.
Sources:
http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/05/07/would-you-run-a-marathon-pregnant-this-mom-has-three-times/
http://community.babycenter.com/post/a1562025/marathons_pregnancy
Great article! As you may have read in my email response to your comment on my CompleteRunning.com article, I am now 29 weeks pregnant with our third child. I ran until two weeks ago, and have now resolved myself to power walking with hand weights until I deliver. My pelvis is just too sore after a run for me to continue running. I figure that if it hurts, it’s probably doing some damage to my pelvic alignment, and I’d rather quit now so that I can resume running shortly after the birth of this child.
Like you, I started my pregnancy while training for a race (unfortunately I couldn’t run the race due to plantar fasciitis). I couldn’t figure out why my trianing was difficult… Ooops
I continued doing 10 mile long runs until I was 10 weeks, and even placed in my age group in a 5k at 9 wks pregnant, which felt incredible!
Anyways – I want to thank you for writing about your experiences running while pregnant, more women need to learn that it’s ok to be active during pregnancy – as it is better for both mom and baby.
Cheers!
Janice, thanks for posting back! Hey, those of us who have run preggo need to stick together!
Congrats on your pregnancy and keep me posted! I walked with my second….I just didn’t feel like running as much, which is fine. I am faster now than I was before I was pregnant! So you are smart to slow it down if you feel pain. It’s not worth it if you lose the joy of running on the “back end” post baby!
All the best!
ALIX
Hi,
First of all I am a man so it is obviously difficult for to speak about running while pregnant
However I would like to insist on the fact that each woman should be smart and listening to her body and feelings while training pregnant. As a doctor here in France I have seen women (not a lot I have to say but still) with severe pregnancy problems due to training.
Training is not forbidden while pregnant but some care has to be taken if one wants sport to remain a pleasure.
Bob
Bob, I could not agree more. I won’t go into too much detail but a friend was worry about miscarriage after running the Marine Corps Marathon. Thank goodness it wasn’t because she was about to miscarry but she does have a hematoma and as a result is “benched” for a while. We all have to monitor our bodies and I appreciate your comment.
Searching for advise about running. Every website seems to say it’s ok to run, but next sentence is usually ‘don’t run till your out of breath’! If I’m going to continue running I’m going to be out of breath! So which is it?
I’m only a few weeks do I have to slow down straight away?
You don’t need to slow down right away but you need to assess your body at every stage of pregnancy. Let’s face it. You are going to gain weight, your body shape, size, hormones, and balance will change, your hips will widen and your center of gravity will change. This is not the time to be thinking about racing or competition. This is a time to stay in shape, enjoy the pregnancy, stay healthy and not injur yourself so that when you resume, you can.
Thanks Alix for posting this! As an update to the article she mentioned above — I DID have a hematoma and after running Marine Corps I followed doctors orders and didn’t run til it cleared up. I was cleared at 20 weeks and slowly and carefully began running again, my longest run being the Cherry Blossom 10 miler at 29 weeks. I ran the day I went into labor (full term.) Jack Lynch is now a happy healthy three month old.
Also — an interesting article my father (a neonatologist) send me while I was pregnant — if you needed any more motivation to put on the sneakers and get out there.
http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/exercise-during-pregnancy-baby-heart-benefits-cardiovascular-disease-1361/
Hi,
I have a quick question about your blog, do you think you could email me?
David
David, I will email you from editor@runnersillustrated.com.
I am running the NYC marathon next weekend and just found out I’m pregnant. This is my first marathon and to be honest since my 20 miles long run I’ve been not running as much. I’ve been really tired. Should I run next weekend? Any advice?
Thanks
Jamie:
Not that I would have deterred you to run the NYC Marathon at all, but it looks like you didn’t have to. I ran my 2nd marathon 6 or 7 weeks pregnant and was just fine. I hope you can relax now and know that you can keep running as long as you want to through your pregnancy. I have a couple of articles on Runners Illustrated about pregnancy and running.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!
- Alix Shutello
Hi there!
Wondering if you guys could give me some advice, I had been trying to fall pregnant for two years and I am now 10.5 weeks along with my first bubba (yay!!!). A reason I was not falling pregnant was due to my low BMI and exercising a lot, though I was only ‘just’ under the healthy BMI range and ate normally and what I wanted, the gynacologist thought it was a contributing factor to me not falling pregnant. The past few years I have loved feeling and being so fit, gym/running between 4-6 days per week. A couple of half marathons and loved it, after about 1.5 years of trying and getting pretty down and out about things I thought – hey maybe I should start laying off the exercise, put on some weight. So I did. It was hard and horrible but I gained 5kg, I still jogged a little and went to the gym a bit. Felt yuck though. All paid off, and I fell pregnant! ever since I found out I was preg (at 4.5 weeks) i totally threw in running all together, in fact the first two weeks of finding out I was preg. i was a couch potato (and added on another 2kg!), because I now have this ‘fear’ of exercising since it took me so long to fall pregnant. I am feeling really sorry for myself and down as I miss running and I miss feeling fit, I know that you have to sacrifice a lot when falling preg. but i just feel disgusting. Still going to the gym 2-3 times per week and do maybe 30mins on cross trainer with maybe a few weights if have time. I still miss running though. My partner thinks that I shouldn’t get back into it now and running puts a lot of stress and pressure on the body and I shouldnt risk it. What do you think? do you think that since I have left it for 6 weeks and I have become sooo unfit (seems like a lifetime ago i went for a run) that i should not run throughout preg. and perhaps resume after?? any help/comments appreciated….thanks
Anna
Hi from Runners Illustrated.
First, to resume exercise during your pregnancy, discuss it with your doctor. If it makes you feel any better, I chose not to run in my second pregnancy and just walked and did yoga. I’ve been running better since before I was pregnant. So, what I am trying to say, is that if you were a runner before you were pregnant, you’ll be a runner after you were pregnant. There is no “need” to run during your pregnancy. Besides, maybe there is a good reason for the time off. Your body may just want to birth your baby, and that is totally acceptable.
We women are under so many stresses. We want to run, work, and do everything – even while we are pregnant. And, my goodness that is OK! Sometimes, however, we need to take a little break – pregnany is an excellent time for that break – especially if getting pregnant was difficult, you may want to concentrate on keeping the baby safe and only performing light exercise.
I hope this is helpful to you. We all need to support each other as athletes and as mothers and women. Sometimes, when pregancy is difficult to attain or hard to maintain, we need to think first about the life inside of us – and consider that we can come back from pregnancy and be even better!
Best of luck and keep us posted!
Alix Shutello
Publisher
Hi There
I am running my first marathon in 2 weeks in Walt DisneyWorld with my newly wed husband. As luck would have it, I am about 5 weeks pregnant with our first child. I am not only a little nervous about running the marathon, but seeking advice on if its safe and healthy to continue to run the race this early in my pregnancy. I am taking GU during my run, are those safe to use? I know they are loaded with caffeine. Sorry if I sound like a nervous nelly, I just need some advice as we haven’t even told our family yet….we are waiting to surprise them after the race
Thank you all, I truly appreciate the feedback!
Annmarie:
CONGRATULATIONS! On both accounts – husband and baby. Ok, so I got pregnant 6 months after getting married. At the time I had been training for about 4 months for the San Diego Marathon. My OBGYN said it was totally fine. I was about 6 – 7 weeks when I ran the marathon (and by the way I flew across the country as I live in the DC area). It was painfully hot – over 85 degrees. I ran/walked the marathon to keep safe and didn’t push myself.
Check the weather – take a deep breath. If you start to bleed before race day or during the race, pull out of the race. It’s just not worth the scare. If you are feeling good, run for you and your baby. You will be so proud when you are done.
Let me know how things go ok? Email me at alixshutello@gmail.com.
ALIX
Publisher
Hi- I just found out I am preg with my 2nd, about 4.5 weeks right now. I signed up for a 10 mile run before I found out. I will be 6 wks at time of run. I need reassurance to go ahead and do it! My first doc appt is not till the end of January. I realized that many women continue to do these runs and don’t even know they are pregnant yet, I happen to already know:) I have benn regularly doing 4-5 mi runs 3days a week plus a boot camp class once a week, I want to keep up healthy/active lifestyle more with this pregnancy. I gained 50+ with my first!!! So, any warning signs to b aware of when running longer distance while pg? I did a 5k outside yesterday and felt good although my pace is already a min and half slower than a few week ago
thanks!!! HNY
Always check with your doctor but really, if you’ve been training and are not experiencing any complications (bleeding for example or bad cramping), then go for it. Running pregnant is safe. Watch the boot camp though. Certain positions/moves may not be good during pregnancy.
Good luck!
ALIX
(and don’t forget to let your docutor know!)
I need advice on what I need to watch out for. I have my first marathon in 8 Amy’s and I have been training for 5 months, I am very ready! However just found out I will be 7 weeks pregnant on the day. The temperature seems like it will be about 40-45degF on race day. Is this safe? I am really excited about the baby and the marathon!
This should be totally safe! I ran my second marathon 7 weeks pregnant in 80 degree weather. I did run/walk to keep my core body temp down.
GOOD LUCK!
Alix
Hi Alix,
Firstly thank you for all the tips on running – really helpful. I have been training for a half marathon which takes place in less than two weeks. I have put the mileage in and last Thursday I ran 12 miles – it was tough but I enjoyed it!
Two days ago I found out that I am nearly 4 weeks pregnant. I am very excited, nervous etc as a first time Mum. I really don’t know what to do about the half marathon. I really want to do the run after all the training but I’m worried that it will damage the baby. My Doctor did not seem too keen when I mentioned it to her and my husband is worried too. Any advice would be great.
I ran 5.5 miles this afternoon at a nice pace – I did get a stitch at 4.5 miles but felt ok once I stretched.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Lorraine:
Hello! As you may know, I ran a full marathon about 6-7 weeks pregnant. I did run/walk because it was hot and while I finished in a slow time, the experience was wonderful. You will not damage the baby as you are in shape. However, if you bleed or cramp for ANY REASON, you must stop. It’s not worth the risk.
Talk to your doctor again. My OBGYN was very supportive. If you’ve been training this whole time, a 6-week old embryo is not going to do much while you are running your half marathon. In fact, he/she may enjoy the ride. Plus you will feel great and will have a great story to tell your friends.
All I can say is if you’ve been healthy this whole time and don’t have any signs of bleeding, discomfort, or cramping – go and run that race and then let me know how it goes.
However, feel NO GUILT about deciding not to run. And remember, stay hydrated, walk if you need to and don’t eat anything you haven’t trained with during the race. I was able to eat a few orange slices and some gu during my marathon and was fine.
Best of luck!
ALIX
Hi Alix,
Thanks so much for all your encouragement! I completed the half marathon last Saturday in 2hrs 10 minutes. I was absolutely delighted and enjoyed every minute.
I feel great and am now looking forward to leisurely runs for the next few months.
Thanks again for your support,
Lorraine
YAY Lorraine. I am soooooo proud.
Alix