Can I run while pregnant?

Going for a run is a quick and effective way to work your heart and body, giving you a mental and physical boost when you feel tired. Plus, like walking, it's easy to fit into your schedule.

At 10-weeks of pregnancy, your womb is still safely enclosed within the bony shell of your pelvis so it is perfectly safe to ride a bike.

Even if you fall off, you and your baby are going to come to no harm. Riding a bike is good exercise and when you are pregnant, exercise is especially important.

 

It would be good for you to go out on your bike and enjoy the fresh air until you find that it is physically too uncomfortable to do so.

With regards to your running; you can take this up at a slower pace and there are many female marathon runners who have continued competing well into their pregnancies.

However, some women find that, from about sixteen weeks onwards, running or jogging can cause painful tightening of the womb, so most doctors advise against vigorous running once the bump is well established.

Swimming is a good activity to take up in pregnancy as the water supports your weight. This relieves the stress on your ligaments.

Is it safe for me to run during pregnancy?It depends. If you ran regularly before getting pregnant, it's fine to continue — as long as you take some precautions and first check with your doctor or midwife.

 

But pregnancy isn't the time to start a running routine, according to Julie Tupler, a registered nurse, certified personal trainer, and founder of Maternal Fitness, a fitness program for pregnant women and new moms in New York City.

 

Pregnancy's also not the time to start training for a marathon, a triathlon, or any other race, cautions Tupler. "The first trimester is when the baby's major organs are forming, and overheating's a real issue. If a woman's core temperature gets too high, it could cause problems with the baby, so why risk it? Instead, train for the marathon of labor by strengthening your abdominals and pelvic floor muscles," she says.

 

Whether you're pregnant or not, running can be hard on your knees. During pregnancy, your joints loosen, which makes you more prone to injury. So unless you're an avid runner, you should probably steer clear of this form of workout at least until after your baby arrives. For now, focus on exercises that are safe for pregnancy.