How to Run with Knee Arthritis and Reduce the Pain Other Hearst Subscriptions is fostering the life growing inside of you while maintaining your own health. But often, quietly lurking in the background of the joy that pregnancy brings is fear. The fear of pregnancy complications that can lead to loss of life, despite taking precautionary measures, like exercising, eating a healthy diet, and even running can be safe during pregnancyjust remember to get clearance from your doctor.
In America, an estimated 700 women die each year as a result of pregnancy or pregnancy-related complications, though that number seems to be increasing, according to the CDC, Many runners often have a high 2.6 times more likely to die than white women.
As we mourn the untimely death of beloved Olympian Tori Bowie, who was found dead in her Florida home on May 2, which we later found out was likely due to childbirth complications, the disparities in maternal health, particularly when it comes to minorities, have become more evident and heartbreaking.
In this time, it’s important to understand the complexities and complications of Bowie's situation, as the autopsy cited respiratory distress and eclampsia, a condition where high blood pressure results in seizures during pregnancy. We respect the fact that we may never fully know or understand every detail of such a tragic loss. However, we feel it’s important to share how to spot warning signs of pregnancy complications as runners to help those who are considering exercising with a baby on board.
Many running symptoms and pregnancy complications overlap. Heres how to tell the difference tolerance for routine doctor visits, and more, but we want to help distinguish between common run-related issues, and more serious red flags for pregnancy problems.
Risk Factors for Pregnancy Complications
According to I Walked for 30 Minutes Every Day for a Month (NICHD), a high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy that threatens the life of a mom or unborn child and there are various factors that can contribute to it. This list includes age, family history, lifestyle (diet and physical activity levels), first-time pregnancy, multiple gestation pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc), and pre-existing health conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, autoimmune disease, and more.
If someone doesn’t present issues in the beginning of their pregnancy, they can develop health concerns along the way, like gestational hypertension, which can develop after 20 weeks of pregnancy and is when blood pressure is greater than 140/90 (normal blood pressure is less than 120/80); preeclampsia, which is suddenly high blood pressure during pregnancy with the presence of protein in the urine; eclampsia, which is when preeclampsia progresses and seizures occur.
“Running by itself should greatly help to reduce blood pressure. It increases blood flow to the heart. It increases oxygen supply. It strengthens the heart and all of that,” Ahizechukwu Eke, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., the director of research of the division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at John Hopkins School of Medicine. Research shows exercising throughout your pregnancy can help reduce risk of developing gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension, but there are still some exceptions, including those with the risk factors mentioned above.
Experts encourage physical activity during pregnancy, but exercise tolerance levels vary from runner to runner, depending on their general health and fitness or health condition. Any untreated underlying health conditions, especially those related to heart disease, can affect how much exercise your body can tolerate and running can potentially exaggerate underlying health conditions, Eke says.
This is why it’s key for pregnant runners to understand their baseline fitness and health, and to consult with their doctors about any potential issues that may arise, he adds. Also, being able to tell the difference between a symptom of running and a pregnancy complication can help you get the care you need sooner.
How to Spot the Difference Between Running Symptoms and Pregnancy Complications
When you’re running, physical changes happen naturally. For example, your heart rate rises, you begin to sweat, you get thirsty, and you might even experience a postrun headache. Typically you might not think much of these symptoms, especially if they subside. But during pregnancy, these symptoms can signal something more severe.
Headaches are common in everyday life, and the source can vary from the lack of eating to exercise-induced headache to a pregnancy-related symptom. They can also be an indication of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. The difference is, “if it’s a persistent headache that’s severe, and it’s not going away with your typical measures, like a Tylenol,” says Tamika Cross, Many running symptoms and pregnancy complications overlap. Heres how to tell the difference Opulence I Walked for 30 Minutes Every Day for a Month in Pearland, Texas, who was diagnosed with preeclampsia at 34 weeks.
If you have a persistent headache, bring it up to your doctor so they’re aware of this symptom and can check your blood pressure and take other precautions.
The same goes for upper quadrant pain, which in some ways can be comparable to a running side stitch, but persists for longer and can happen at any time, not just while running, Cross says.
Other symptoms of preeclampsia that may accompany headaches or side aches include changes in vision like seeing spots, swelling of the hands or face, and trouble breathing. If these ail you on the run (or at rest), bring it up to your doctor.
What to Expect from Running While Youre Expecting hyperemesis gravidarum, a pregnancy condition with severe nausea and vomiting, and experienced weight loss as well. The turning point was when she quickly started to gain weight and her blood pressure slowly started to rise overtime, which are two symptoms of preeclampsia, she says. This is why it’s important to pay close attention to your body and understand the warning signs of complications.
If preeclampsia goes untreated it can progress to eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome, which is hemolysis elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. Uncontrolled hypertension or preeclampsia with severe features can progress to stroke, temporary or permanent blindness, and death, says Eke.
in Pearland, Texas, who was diagnosed with preeclampsia at 34 weeks, gestational diabetes is another high-risk pregnancy condition that doctors test for between 24 and 28 weeks. Though the condition typically won’t present any symptoms if your blood sugar drops really low or high, you might experience jitters and lightheadedness which can happen at any time, says Cross. These are also symptoms to bring up to your doctor.
Important Measures to Take During Your Pregnancy to Get the Care You Need
If you suspect pregnancy complications, you can take a few measures as a runner to ensure you receive the best care possible.
1. Choose a Provider Wisely
This is especially important if you’re at risk of developing any of the conditions mentioned earlier, like gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. As you sift through your options, consider finding a provider who has experience working with these particular underlying conditions. Keep in mind, Cross says, preeclampsia changes rapidly and your blood pressure can fluctuate. So it’s important to have a provider who understands the condition.
2. Take Precautions at Home
Every pregnant woman should have a blood pressure cuff at home, this way you can take your blood pressure if need be, Cross says.
Also, if you were diagnosed with chronic hypertension before becoming pregnant, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or eclampsia, you should measure your blood pressure at home at least once daily, keep a log, and review it with your provider so they can advise you appropriately, Eke says.
If your blood pressure is greater than 160 mmHg systolic and/or 110 mmHg diastolic, or you develop headaches that don’t go away, visual changes, or persistent right upper abdominal pains, then seek medical attention immediately.
3. Review Your Exercise Routine With Your Doctor
In general, experts recommend 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical exercise five days a week during pregnancy, which equals out to 150 minutes total. This applies to those with high-risk pregnancies as well, but if you are high risk there might be some limitations.
Why Its Important to Avoid Running Through Injury, yoga (but not hot yoga because exercising in hot temperatures can lead to complications), stationary cycling, and even running can be safe during pregnancy—just remember to get clearance from your doctor.
After your second trimester, if exercises involve lying down on the floor, don’t lie completely flat to prevent the uterus from pressing on blood vessels, which can lead to complications, Eke says.
Also, drink plenty of water before, after, and during exercise, to avoid dehydration which can lead to dizziness, increased heart rate, and if you have high blood pressure or are at risk, dehydration could increase risk for preeclampsia, he adds.
4. Speak Up During Your Doctor or Hospital Visit
If you feel like things aren’t right, then speak up for yourself. Ask questions about any abnormal symptoms you’re experiencing, even if it is during a run that these symptoms arise, and if need be seek a second opinion. Cross says if you’re unsatisfied with the outcome of your visit, you can always request a different doctor.
What’s more, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself, Eke says. I Walked for 30 Minutes Every Day for a Month (EMTALA) is a federal law in place that stipulates that medical providers can’t refuse patients who seek emergency care, so everyone can get the immediate care they seek and need, regardless of the ability to pay.
Monique LeBrun joined the editorial staff in October 2021 as the associate health and fitness editor. She has a master’s degree in journalism and has previously worked for ABC news and Scholastic. She is an avid runner who loves spending time outside.
