11/05/24
November 03, 2007
Training Through Pregnancy to Be Fastest Mom: Paula Radcliffe, the British distance runner who holds the world record in the women's marathon, ran throughout her pregnancy last year. She even ran the day before she gave birth to a healthy baby, Isla, on January 17th. And 12 days after Isla's birth , she started running again.
posted by tommytrump to culture at 11:19 AM - 9 comments
birth is a completely natural process that 99.9% of the time requires no medical intervention of any kind Source please. My wife went into pre-term labor 9 weeks early and gave birth 7 weeks early. My son spent 3 weeks in the NICU before we could bring him home (He's almost 4 and doing just great now) Without extensive medical intervention, my son would have died. So pardon me if I find your comment to be extremely ignorant.
posted by cjets at 06:32 PM on November 03, 2007
Guys, you both have valid points. The article didn't say how long Radcliffe was in labor. But I do know that the better shape the woman is in, the easier the birthing process is. Also, some women just have an easier time than others regardless of physical condition. The article also says that she was closely monitored by her doctor. I am sure if anything out of the ordinary was found, her running regime while preggers would have been modified or stopped entirely. Personally, I think it was great that she bounced back so fast. No doubt due to her superb conditioning. Drood, glad everything went well for your wife at home, but I am hoping you had 911 on speed dial, just in case. Cjets, your experience shows why it is good to be in a hospital. NICU can do amazing things! Enjoy him now, just wait till he wants to drive! lol. (got one myself, he is 17, 230lbs. 6'4")
posted by steelergirl at 08:53 AM on November 04, 2007
Thanks Steeler Girl for a well reasoned post. I will add this though. My wife had was in excellent health and had a "perfect" pregnancy up till the she went into pre term labor --- 6:30 AM on Christmas morning of all days. Of course that did allow me to make it from Sherman Oaks to Santa Monica in about 5 minutes (SF Valley Dude will understand). And, yes, SG, I'm a big fan of NICU's and the NICU nurses (Particularly at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica). They do an amazing job and deserve all the credit in the world.
posted by cjets at 10:03 AM on November 04, 2007
And, despite all this, she won today.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:35 PM on November 04, 2007
I heard she was holding the baby for the entire race. Damn overachievers.
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:00 PM on November 04, 2007
The only natural thing about child birth is that it can take up to 9 months. This doesn't mean the body is ok just because you just gave birth. You need rest afterwards so the body can heal itself internally. In my opinion, that woman is nuts, but we live in a society where people like to take stupid chances. She is fortunate she didn't lose the child. Im sure if she has another race and doesn't have a sitter, she will have the child dangling on her back while she runs. P.S.....If you do run with the child on your back, make sure you have some pampers and a extra bottle of milk with you, so you can pull over at the many diaper changing stations along the race route.
posted by Awwgood at 03:28 AM on November 05, 2007
when she won, she celebrated as a mother, holding her 9-month-old daughter Isla. wc2k2, I think you are kidding there, right? Awwgood, I am not sure if you are or not. But she didn't run the race holding her child, ok?
posted by steelergirl at 09:41 AM on November 05, 2007
No, steelergirl, I am always serious.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:02 PM on November 05, 2007
Despite what the medical profession would have women believe, birth is a completely natural process that 99.9% of the time requires no medical intervention of any kind beyond those done for the doctors convenience, and there's no reason to be surprised that was she was up and running again after 12 days. (My wife had a home birth with our last one. No drugs, no tearing, no nothing, and was up and around back to normal the following day.)