Running During Pregnancy
To Run or Not to Run - that is the question. Well, maybe not for everyone but for pregnant women who are runners it is one of the first things that comes to mind. Many women would like to be able to maintain their fitness routines as long as it does not harm the baby. When I first found out I was pregnant, this was the first thing I wanted to know. I was only 6 weeks pregnant and my doctor didn't normally see patients until they were at least 8 weeks pregnant. Some doctors make you wait even longer. This left me two weeks to find the answer to the question myself. I scoured the internet looking for articles, talked to friends, and consulted with friends who were doctors. The overwhelming answer was "yes you can run".
The discrepancy now lies in how hard and how long. The answer to this question really depends on you. You should probably cutback on both the intensity and the duration of your workouts. If you are in great shape and used to running an hour a day, your doctor will probably allow you to do more than someone who only runs an easy 3 miles everyday. It is also not necessary to run with a heart monitor - listen to your body. If you can hold a conversation while running, then you are probably in good shape. As you get further along in your pregnancy, the pace at which you run may get slower because of the extra weight you are carrying. In those later months, take the watch off an don't pay attention to the pace at which you are running. If you are someone who doesn't know how to restrain herself, you better get a heart monitor.
In these winter months, the weather can create a few problems. Be extra careful when there is ice on the ground or the temperatures are too cold. Your balance can be a little off while you are pregnant so you may want to run indoors or cross train if there is snow or ice on the ground. Make sure you dress warmly and wear a hat and gloves. Keeping your head and hands warm will help to keep your core body temperature warm which is really important when you are pregnant. Even though it is cold outside, it is important to stay hydrated. Many women forget to hydrate in the winter months because they are not sweating as much.
Obviously you need to consult with your doctor because in some instances medical conditions may prevent you from running. In later months, you may also want to carry a cell phone just in case you need to call someone to pick you up.
For more helpful advice, try this articles on running during pregnancy: |
