Running during pregnancy isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’! When I became pregnant for the first time, the question “Can I still run?” was one of the first questions I asked my GP. He knew that I ran regularly and told me that “of course” I could still run, providing I listened to my body and focused on maintaining fitness rather than getting fitter. I was fairly relaxed about it during that pregnancy, and continued to run throughout. I don’t remember many comments, but I do remember one man sheepishly getting off the treadmill next to mine in the gym after it dawned on him that the woman he’d been ‘racing’ was quite heavily pregnant.
This pregnancy has been different for a number of reasons mentioned in previous posts, and I’ve been much more cautious. Having said that I’ve been more cautious, I have done more running rather than less. This book:
Exercising Through Your Pregnancy – James F. Clapp
has become my running bible (although it doesn’t restrict it’s information to running alone). Whereas much of the literature on the subject of running in pregnancy focuses (quite rightly) on whether running is harmful to the baby, this book actually highlights a lot of benefits to the baby as well as the mother. This book explains in detail (and with back up from scientific/medical studies) exactly what you are feeling and why. It explains what effect exercise has on your growing baby and on you, the Mother. It also covers preconception and the postnatal period. I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to exercise safely during pregnancy — but particularly recommend it to those who are more serious about exercising and need much more than the typical beginner’s books about walking and leg lifts.
Although my reading on the subject has been reassuring — encouraging even, I am acutely aware that many people would be appalled that I am continuing to run as much as I do. I’m pretty sure that my current GP, a woman, would be very disapproving. She doesn’t approve of my running at any time – probably not her ‘cup of tea’, but even dedicated running friends have raised their eyebrows and voiced concern. My baby comes first, I am very clear about that, and I’d be very quick to stop running if I thought for one minute it was harmful to him. I now think, however, that I’m actually doing the best for both of us!!
