27 weeks

[dick325]

Helloooo! I’m 27 weeks pregnant and maintaining running about 25-27 mpw. However, I’m starting to feel more pressure in my pelvic region during & after running. More specifically, my lower belly, back and upper-inner pelvic region on one side is in so much discomfort any lateral or push off motion on my right side sends a sharp pain.

I’ve tried K-Tape and it is supportive but doesn’t take away the pain. I’m a FTM & know pregnancy brings uncomfortable body changes when continuing exercise, but is this a sign I need to stop running & switch to something more low impact?

I’ve been running since I was 16 so mentally I’m pushing through, but also starting to realize I need to do what’s best for me and baby.

 

[autumn1123]

@dick325 I ran about 20 now until about 28 weeks, then I noticed increased soreness in my pelvic floor. I got a belly band and made it until about 32 weeks before I saw that I was fully limping the rest of the day after running, so that's when I switched to biking for cardio instead. Everyone is different and I really hoped I could run for longer, but not being able to walk normally afterwards was a big red sign to me.

 

[avgold]

@dick325 Honestly if you're in any doubt and if you're feeling pelvic pressure and pain, I'd be inclined to stop. Or significantly shorten your runs/reduce mileage for a week and see if that helps. At this point you're not doing much for your fitness by running and you should be aiming for a 12 week break postpartum anyway, to allow your pelvic floor time to recover and avoid long term issues. The risk of running too long now is that you fuck your pelvic floor up without realising and create a long term problem.

It feels good to keep running now and it's a short term hit you're getting from it, but if you want the best chance of coming back strong after you've had the baby, you need to play the long game here. Hard to do but worth it.

 

[jordanforjesus]

@dick325 33w today and still running although I transitioned to treadmill runs this past Friday after a fall on Thursday that wound me up in L&D for monitoring.

I’ve been running for a decade and ran up until 39+6 during my first pregnancy and hoping to make it until my due/induction date.

For me taking it day by day has been the most helpful, there have been a handful of days that I have a bad side cramp and I have to do a run/walk. Last week before I fell I was having very intense pressure/pain under my belly button, it seemed like it was bladder pain, because it would go away when I peed but the second I started running I got the “I have to pee” sensation again and got the pain/pressure again.

On those days I just shoot for running one slow mile and then walking, and if the pain goes away I’ll run so short spurts.

I don’t think it’s a sign you need to stop running, I think taking it day by day, run by run is good to do, do not force yourself to run through pain. Some days can be very slow jog days, some days can be run days. There have been so many times during this pregnancy where I thought “this is it, this is my last run” and then whatever annoying thing goes away.

 

[alyssapettey]

@dick325 I started walking at 27 weeks. I couldn’t continue with running because of the pressure. I’ve been running since I was that age too and totally get wanting to push through but walking has been a great substitute. I found a 6.5km trail that has nice steep hills so I definitely get a good workout in!

 

[mushysnugs]

@dick325 The upper-inner pelvic region and lateral movement causing pain (especially if it's worst post-run and turning over from side to side) sounds like it could be SPD, which will only get worse if you continue to run. Definitely see a pelvic floor PT, who can help advise what are "normal"/non-damaging pregnancy aches vs. what is going to be compounded if you continue.

I spent the first 18 weeks of pregnancy at 45-55 mpw and ran a marathon at 18+4, but developed full-blown SPD at 23 weeks and had to stop running entirely. I switched over to spin at that point and was able to ride for an hour a day for the full duration of my pregnancy.

 

[dick325]

@mushysnugs Ok, thank you for this answer. Until I can see a pelvic floor PT, is walking ok??

 

[mushysnugs]

@dick325 I was able to walk/hike with SPD, but not power walk. Basically the further apart your legs are (lol that sounds funny) the more discomfort you'll cause. So short strides and slow to medium pace shouldn't be too painful.

 

[osahen]

@dick325 Sorry for my ignorance but what’s ’mpw’?

 

[dick325]

@osahen Miles per week!

 

[lundberry]

@osahen Thanks for asking this! I didn’t know either. Lol

 

[aaronc27]

@dick325 Pain means you need to stop

 

[rulio]

@dick325 We are in similar boats. FTM, 26 weeks, running since 15. I am currently at 45 mpw and get a lot of the same pain after running.
KT tape has helped me a lot but everyone is different. I also go more cushioned shoes.
Lastly, get yourself to a Pelvic Floor PT asap. I started 3 weeks ago and it really has helped the pain to stop from progressing.
Other than that ice, rest, be easy!

 

[jims4570]

@dick325 28 weeks and also feeling the bump. Not so much pain, just… imbalance. I’m also SO slow now (10 min over PB for a 5k ). Incline treadmill walking has been fine, and I might switch to peloton. Guessing as long as I can do enough zone 2 cardio, no matter what it is, it will be fine!

 

[owayne]

@dick325 I'm 26 weeks and experiencing the exact same thing. Frustrating because I want to run faster, but my groin/back are aching on my left side and can barely walk for an hour or two after. I'm really not ready to give up running yet, but not sure what to do!

 

[dick325]

@owayne This is me! I am probably 2 whole minutes slower and post-run is the worst time. And when I’m laying in bed at night and need to roll over to a different size, I dread the movement

 

[owayne]

@dick325 Right!! Omg the roll over is so hard! Haha at least we're not alone

 

[diciplinbyjesus]

@dick325 Pelvic pain while rolling over during the night sounds like a main SPD symptom to me. When I went to pelvic floor PT they flagged for me that running puts huge pressure on the pelvic floor, more than other exercise stuff I do like weight lifting or bodyweight HIIT stuff even. I stopped running somewhere around 23/24 weeks even though I love it because wasn’t worth the risk of pelvic floor issues for me.