What To Know About Running In The 3rd Trimester

Following the birth of my daughter, I've regularly joked that had I known how grueling labor would be, I would have trained for childbirth like I was about to run a marathon. Labor is the ultimate full body workout, and it makes sense to go into it in the best physical shape possible. One way to do that is to maintain an exercise routine throughout your pregnancy, including those last few weeks and days. Some women who enjoy pounding the pavement may find themselves wondering "is it safe to run in the third trimester?" Because as relaxing as a jog may be, it can also come with some injuries.

Healthline noted that if you're a regular runner, there's no need to stop just because your due date is rapidly approaching. If you didn't run much before getting pregnant, however, it's not really the ideal time to start. According to Baby Center, running in the third trimester really isn't much different than running earlier in your pregnancy, other than the fact that your increased size may make it harder to go as fast as you used to. Because of that, and a few other factors, you may need to make some adjustments. What To Expect suggested making sure your sneakers fit perfectly, because your joints and knees will need extra support thanks to the baby weight. And of course, your enlarged chest might need a heavy duty sports bra to keep your boobs in check. I've heard from moms who claim to have worn two or even three sports bra at a time because their breasts were so out of control.

Besides helping you relax and keeping your weight in check, running and exercising in pregnancy might have another huge benefit. The Daily News noted that regular exercise could lead to an easier birth, and may help ensure that your baby is born healthy.

As noted above, your doctor should be in the loop about your running routine. Although it's OK to keep pounding the pavement if you have a textbook healthy pregnancy, there are some conditions that probably mean you have to hang up your sneakers for a while. Dr. Annette Perez-Delboy told Babble that issues that'll stop you from running while pregnant include preeclampsia, a short cervix, and placenta previa. So make sure to keep your doctor updated on any issues and stop if they tell you to. You'll be able to get back to running before you know it. You just may have a stroller in tow.