The first thing to remember: whether you can run during pregnancy and how safe it is, your doctor decides. This is because various abnormalities that are safe for you and the fetus in everyday life can worsen during cyclic exercise.
In general, if the pregnancy is going well and you are completely healthy, then running is not only possible, but also very welcome by all modern specialists, unlike old-school doctors. However, there is one condition: you can continue to run only if you did it before pregnancy for at least three months or even six months.
In case you suddenly decided to take up running while already in a position, it is not your option and it can do more harm than good. It is connected with various factors, the most important of which are a greater tendency to injury due to weakening of joints (under the influence of the hormone relaxin) and an unusual load on the cardiovascular system.
In general, you will experience discomfort and have a higher risk of injury when you start doing vigorous cyclic sports while already pregnant than when not pregnant.
However, this applies mostly to running, which involves significant shock loads. And it does not apply at all to swimming, which you can always do and even give birth in water.
The general principle of running training during pregnancy is to gradually reduce the load as you approach the late term, as well as increasing attention to the following points:
- The main and only tempo is calm (conversational), fartlek and intervals should be excluded.
- Increase the warm-up time. This is especially true for warming up the joints and muscles during the cold season.
- Avoid even the early stages of dehydration. During this period, it is better to take a can of water or a drinking system to every run, regardless of distance.
- As you gain weight, note that your running shoes may have to be replaced with shoes for the next weight class.
In addition, there are recommendations from sports physicians specifically for different stages of pregnancy:
- First trimester: make sure you do not overheat, especially in the early term, when your body has more difficulty regulating its own temperature. Don’t overdo it, don’t run in hot and humid weather.
- Second trimester: Your center of gravity shifts, changing your sense of balance and making you more vulnerable to falling. For safe jogging, use only flat surfaces with good traction.
- Third trimester: If you feel too tired, take a break. At this stage, you may find yourself easily fatigued. So try trekking or swimming.
