Running and pregnancy: 4 tips for safe running during pregnancy

RUNNEA
Redacción RUNNEA Team
Posted on 04-03-2022

If there is one thing that characterizes pregnancy is that it is a period of physical and mental change for women. A time of great excitement but also full of questions and in the following lines, we will try to clear some doubts that runners in gestational period tell us Is running during pregnancy, is it safe? How long can you run while pregnant? We turn to the expert opinion of our doctor, Natalia Gómez Ruiz, who will shed light on this issue.

"Pregnancy is not a contraindication for running. Generally speaking, any sporting activity is healthy, a statement that remains true in pregnancy, always under more exhaustive medical supervision, of course," says the doctor.

Running and pregnancy: is it safe to running?

Given the premise that doing sport during pregnancy can be key to improving the health of the mother and the baby-to-be, it is also important to stress its benefits when it comes to facilitating childbirth.

"You should not give up running for fear of its influence on pregnancy, since in any case its effect will be positive."

Natalia Gómez, our doctor, warns that we could divide the female population into two groups when talking about running and pregnancy. On the one hand, we would find women who regularly practice running; on the other hand, sedentary women.

The first group could and even should continue with their usual physical activity. The second group should also remain active, although it may not be the right time to start running, but rather to do other types of exercise such as yoga, pilates or hiking.

What are the benefits of running during pregnancy?

"As many studies have shown, the benefits of physical exercise during the gestational period are numerous, including: reducing the risk of complications such as diabetes, preeclampsia (a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure), premature births, etc.," warns the RUNNEA doctor.

The physician points out that there is some reluctance when it comes to linking running to pregnancy, perhaps because there is a tendency to think that since it is a sport that involves impact, it can be aggressive and counterproductive for the proper development of the baby.

What guidelines should I follow for running during the first trimester of pregnancy?

It is true that when the time comes, it will have to be replaced by other practices such as stretching, functional exercises? "But it will be the body itself who will warn and establish the limits and the date on which the activity should be stopped or replaced by another. Until then, run!

We also wanted to hear from Lexuri Crespo, a member of the RUNNEA TEAM, an ultra trail runner who is currently pregnant with her second daughter. In her case, "I continue to practice sport but listening to my body. I usually do 2 days of strength training and walk between 1:30 and 2 hours. Not every day is the same, and not every week I have the same energy".

In conclusion, you should not give up running for fear of its influence on pregnancy, as its effect will be positive in any case.

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