Pregnancy & Baby 

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Running during pregnancy

Dear Liz,
Congratulations!
Now that you’re pregnant you should only be doing 60% of the exercise you were doing before you became pregnant. If you’re missing your running, you can start again, but I would cut it down to twice a week, running more slowly and for half the distance. You should never get to the point where you feel breathless and sweaty. The important thing is to listen to your body and stop if you feel any unusual twinges.

However, now might be the time to change your exercise routine. You may not want to continue running once you’re four or five months pregnant, and it’s most unlikely you’ll still want to run three to four times a week when you have a baby to care for (believe me). It might be a good time to modify your exercise routine to perhaps a brisk walk twice a week and a swim or an exercise bike session once a week.

Now you’re pregnant, don’t forget that it is more important for you to have a rest during the day. This means lying down for a nap rather than reading the paper with your feet up. Exercise is great if it makes you feel good, but rest is the best way of helping your baby to grow.

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