For women who are pregnant, perhaps the biggest fear is miscarrying.  With miscarriages happening in an estimated 15% of pregnancies, this is a very legitimate concern.  However, if you are a runner, you may rest easy.  Research has shown that running not only does not cause miscarriage, but it may even reduce the risk of it occurring.  Nonetheless, we have compiled a short list of tips to avoid miscarriage while running for pregnant women to help ensure that your pregnancy runs smooth.

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The following 4 tips will help you.

Tip1 : Consult a Doctor

Just because research does not show a correlation between running and miscarriage does not mean running can’t be dangerous.  While running itself does not cause miscarriage, if you have a pre-existing condition, it could become dangerous.  If you are diabetic, not very fit, or smoke, you will want to speak to a doctor first about whether or not running may be dangerous for you and your unborn child.  In fact, if there is anything at all that makes you question whether or not running is a good idea, then one of the most important tips to avoid miscarriage while running for pregnant women is to consult a physician.

Tip2 : Get the Right Shoes

Pregnancy takes a toll on the body.  One of the many changes that occur is that your knees and ankles come under more pressure.  This means that even if you do not have foot problems normally, you may find it painful to walk, let alone run, while pregnant.  This is why in this list of tips to avoid miscarriage while running for pregnant women, we highly suggest investing in a pair of running shoes for plantar fasciitis.  Even if you don’t have plantar fasciitis, such shoes provide the support and comfort you’ll need.  While running may not lead to miscarriage, falling because of shoes that do not provide adequate support can.

Tip3 : Run When Healthy

There are going to be times while you’re pregnant that you feel great and that you could run a marathon and then there will be times you will not feel so well.  Considering having a body temperature that gets too hot can be a risk factor in miscarriage (feverish hot, not just sweating from a good run), going for a run while sick can be dangerous.  For this reason, one of the tips to avoid miscarriage while running for pregnant women must simply be – sometimes, don’t run.  Wanting to fit running into your daily schedule can be difficult when you aren’t able to run.  After all, what are you supposed to do with the free time created when you aren’t able to go out for your scheduled run?  Well, if you are sick in the morning, you could always go for a run at night if you are feeling better then – just make sure that you know how to stay safe when running in the dark.  Also, since being pregnant can throw your running schedule topsy-turvy, we recommend you read some tips for sticking to your schedule.

Tip: 4 : Listen to Your Body

The key to staying safe during pregnancy is to not try to go against your body when it is telling you it is time to rest.  This applies in general and to running in particular.  First of all, get it out of your head that you will be coming in first place in a race or that you could even run without stopping.  The fact is, during pregnancy, your heart rate is higher than when you aren’t pregnant.  If you want to run, that’s great – but do it in the spirit of health, not in the spirit of competition.  If you don’t feel well after running for five minutes, walk or call it quits altogether.  Also remember that the first trimester is the riskiest time, so take stock of how your body feels and plan your runs accordingly.  Following these tips to avoid miscarriage while running for pregnant women will help you and your baby stay safe.  It may even be the case that you are unable to run for a few weeks – but don’t worry, even if you are sick through your whole pregnancy and can’t run for nine months, you can still keep fit and you’ll be running soon after.