Running During Pregnancy
Tips on Running during Pregnancy
Running becomes a passion with many people, and expecting a baby does not hinder many mothers to be from wanting to continue running during pregnancy to stay fit. They may worry about the safety of such activity for their unborn baby, and rightly so.
Different types of exercise interest different people. Running is an activity that has universal appeal and has many healthful benefits. Weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, improved bone strength and overall health, coordination and good mental health are some of the positive effects that are realized by habitual runners. It is also a versatile type of exercise; it can be done by a single individual or within groups. Running can be done indoors or outdoors. Just about any type of terrain can provide a perfect course for running; trails, sidewalks, dirt roads or walkways and tracks. There are opportunities for competitive running, or it can remain casual and simply enjoyable for the individual. It can become so addictive that a day is not complete without performing the activity.
When a woman discovers that she is expecting a child, her entire world and life changes. Her focus is suddenly how her life will be with a baby. What she eats, the air she breathes, the clothes she wears and the activities in which she participates now all revolves around what is best for the baby. For the woman who loves running, during pregnancy her normal routine will necessitate change. She will likely wonder if it is wise for her to continue in the activity or at the very least how the activity will affect the baby’s growth and development. With the health and welfare of an unborn baby at the center of the question, it is definitely an important consideration.
A woman who has been involved with running for a long period of time is able to continue her activity while pregnant with the permission of her doctor, albeit with some modifications. This is not the time for a novice to begin a running routine, for running for weight loss, or to train for any type of marathon. Each trimester will bring more challenges and new adjustments, but throughout the pregnancy it is important to support the growing body. The first few months may be a trial with the possibility of nausea, dizziness and tiredness. The second trimester will be similar to running in another person’s body; the changing shape of the belly as well as other parts of the body can throw off balance, providing more opportunities for falling. The third trimester will be much the same as their first two only much more so. Running during pregnancy may cause the mother to be to grow tired faster, or to feel breathless more quickly. It is vital to listen to the body during this time, and rest as the need arises. It may be even more prudent to slow the pace to a moderate walk during these final months of the pregnancy.
Some women may experience red flags to signal that problems have developed, and should consult their doctor immediately. Dizziness, chest pain, weakness, a hard time breathing while at rest, vaginal bleeding or leakage of fluid or swelling of the legs can all be signs of problems. At the first sign of any of these, the pregnant woman must cease running.
Women who truly enjoy running should not consider pregnancy as the stopping point for their favorite activity but rather a temporary slow down as they concentrate on a much more important endeavor; the focus of bringing a healthy baby into the world. And possibly, the birth of a future runner.