Can I run while pregnant?

I’m eight weeks pregnant. Is it safe to keep running, and for how long?

If you ran regularly beforehand and your pregnancy is progressing normally, it should be safe to keep running for as long as it feels right to you. But to be completely sure, and to set your mind at ease, get the all-clear from your doctor.

While it’s great to stay fit during pregnancy, it’s also important not to push yourself too hard. This isn’t the time to increase your pace or your distance, so leave that mud run until after you give birth! Make sure you stay properly hydrated during your runs and avoid overheating because it could harm your baby.

Above all, listen to your body! Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make you more prone to injury, and your blood pressure and balance can also be affected. If running starts to feel too difficult or you experience any pain or discomfort, scale it down to a run-walk or a brisk walk.

“The best advice is to exercise within your level of fitness. The benefit of regular exercise during pregnancy is well proven – it’s important for your well being and improves your body awareness and stamina, helping you combat fatigue, increase circulation and avoid constipation,” Genea Medical Director Mark Bowman says.

You can also explore other forms of exercise that might be less taxing at this point of your pregnancy, such as swimming, water aerobics, yoga and Pilates.

Have you got a question about pregnancy fitness and diet? Together with the help of leading Australian fertility group Genea, we’re here to tackle all your concerns or queries. Ask us in the comments below and you could feature in an upcoming blog post! Plus, take the Fertility Census (below) to see how your knowledge on all things baby-related stacks up to other Aussies.