Pregnancy is a wonderful experience for a lot of women, but it can also be a tough experience for some of them. At this time, your body is changing in many ways. You might have been an avid runner with a list of upcoming races you were looking forward to running, or you might have been starting your training plan.
Wherever you are in your training, it doesn’t mean you have to stop running altogether because you are pregnant. It is encouraged for pregnant women to continue a healthy routine to ensure they and their babies are safe throughout the pregnancy. Although in previous years society criticized pregnant women who work out, these past years people are now aware of how crucial it is for these women to continue their workout regimens.
Is Running Safe During Pregnancy?
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Continuing your normal workout routines is perfectly safe while you are pregnant. If you feel concerned about working out, speak to your OBGYN before you resume your workouts. Your doctor can provide you with further information on how to stay safe while you are pregnant, help you create a training plan, tell you what to watch out for, and inform you of what you can and cannot do.
If you were running and working out before becoming pregnant, then you are safe to resume these activities. There is no reason to stop your normal routines unless you have been told you are a high-risk pregnancy. A high-risk pregnancy means that you might have the following: severe anemia, preeclampsia or high blood pressure, placenta previa, preterm labor signs, cervical cerclage, heart and lung disease, or you’re pregnant with multiples.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercise is crucial in keeping our bodies and minds healthy. Physical activity is important for all ages, especially during pregnancy. When you exercise while you are pregnant, it helps you stay comfortable along with keeping you healthy. Not only does exercise, such as running and walking, help you physically and mentally, but it also helps your baby too.
Exercise can lower your chance of having a c-section, risks of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and so on. Not only will it help with reducing your chances of illnesses and risks during pregnancy, but it can make postpartum recovery so much faster for you. It also helps with urinary incontinence.
Staying Hydrated
Your body is constantly changing during your pregnancy. To ensure that you are comfortable during your run, you will need to keep up with the changes going on in your body. Right now, your body is constantly burning a lot of energy and you’re having to drink a lot more liquids. Staying hydrated will immensely help you, especially during your runs. Be sure to drink some liquids with electrolytes, too.
Wear Supportive Clothes/Gear
Not only is your belly growing, but so are other parts of your body like your breasts. You will want to wear clothes and gear that support you in the places where your body is growing. Toss out your regular sports bras and add some supportive sports bras that are ideal for expectant mothers.
Along with finding the right sports bras, you will also want to purchase a belly band specifically for working out, along with a regular one. A belly band will be very important to you when your belly has grown a lot. It helps reduce the constant strain of your heavy belly. There’s no reason to ignore the aches and pains of your growing and very heavy belly. Instead, buy a sports belly band and reap the benefits of wearing one.
Fuel Up
Eating properly is crucial even if you are not pregnant, so if you are pregnant, then you must fuel up before a run. You want to fuel yourself adequately to avoid becoming nauseous and sick because you will be losing a lot of your energy faster. If you don’t properly fuel yourself before a run, then you might be stuck outside in the elements longer than you intended, which can make it even more dangerous for you and your baby.
Watch Your Feet
During pregnancy, you will notice that you’re a lot clumsier. Your body is growing a lot and you need to be aware of your feet at all times to avoid tripping and falling. Not only are you wobblier, but your feet and ankles will also swell a lot during pregnancy, especially toward the end. Your feet begin to ache, so you need to be sure you watch out for anything that could potentially trip you.
Pregnancy Makes You Stronger
You may think that being pregnant will hinder all of your running progress, but being pregnant doesn’t make you weak. Being pregnant makes you stronger. A woman’s body goes through a lot throughout pregnancy, but this is only because women are strong enough to handle giving birth. It can be exhausting to get out of bed and deal with morning sickness and the other ailments that come with being pregnant, but getting up and exercising will prove to be the best way to get out of that funk and keep you healthy during and after pregnancy.
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