The benefits of running during pregnancy…..

….my own experience.

Before I discovered the book Exercising Through Your Pregnancy by Dr. James Clapp, much of what I read about running whilst pregnant focused on avoiding harm to the baby, although benefit to the mother was acknowledged. Dr Clapp’s research, however, has identified positives for both the mother and baby. He proposes that the changes a women’s body goes through from exercising whilst pregnant either compensate for, or complement the pregnancy. Some of his claims were of particular interest to me:

1. Exercising mums have larger placentas. 
2. Exercising mums tend to produce babies that are slightly lighter (an average 7.2 lbs vs. nonexercising mums’ babies that are on average 8 lbs) but the risk of a low birth weight baby (less than 5.5lbs) was reduced. 
3. Consistent exercise actually creates a margin of safety for both mother and baby that could protect them should unanticipated medical problems arise in late pregnancy or during labour.

I was particularly interested in the above because my first baby had been just over 5lbs at term and it seemed that my placenta (which was retained) wasn’t the healthiest. Clapp’s research suggests that  mothers who stop exercising mid-pregnancy, however, have a larger placenta providing a marked increase in calories to the baby. Mums that exercise to the mid-way point, therefore produce “fatter” babies than the other two groups – exercising mums and non-exercising mums. This point helped to motivate me to continue running when the going got tough!! I didn’t feel that my little body could accommodate a large baby!!! I didn’t have the easiest of labours and delivery first time around either, and I was also a bit anxious about my age and the potential medical problems that have been linked to pregnancy over 40 years of age. I wanted to grow the healthiest baby I could so that any potential difficulty could be more easily overcome, and so that he would have the best start in life.

The Outcome:

Ned was born at 39 weeks 6 days weighing 6lbs 2ozs. My labour was long for a 2nd labour and very difficult, just as it had been with my first child. Having been in a good position up until labour started, he was now facing upwards with his back to mine. Not good! After a promising start my labour failed to progress and followed the same pattern as before – syntocinon drip, epidural, ventouse.   There were concerns about regular and prolonged decelerations in the fetal heart rate and suggestions of a caesarean section, but Ned came into the world kicking and screaming with an Apgar score of 9/10. I’d like to think my continued running helped him with that. My low pulse throughout labour, and strength when it came to pushing, were also commented upon. I feel that I have been quick to recover and, although I never weigh myself, I don’t think I’m carrying much extra weight at all. Ned is a very lean baby, but has steadily gained weight. People have also commented upon his strength and muscle tone – something else that was highlighted in Dr Clapp’s research.

It was a challenge to keep running throughout my pregnancy, not least because of the negative views and concerns of others. However, my baby was always my first concern and I exercised caution throughout. I was also very open with my midwives and doctors. I am not qualified to recommend running throughout pregnancy, but my own experience has been a positive one and I’m pleased that I did it. Anyone else wishing to do the same should seek qualified advice to reassure themselves that it is safe for them to do so.