Birth Is Like A Marathon by Carly Maxwell Fitness
How on earth can birth be similar to a marathon? Okay okay, hear me out. For the mamas out there who have gone through the birthing process you might be catching my drift, and if not here we go. Birth is similar to a marathon in a way that it's a huge physical event that needs to be prepped for in order to have a more positive outcome. When one signs up for a marathon they will usually take training many months in advance quite seriously in order to do well, or even to make it through such a demanding physical event. Birth is like this in many ways. One can absolutely train their body and learn certain techniques to make the birthing process a tad bit easier. This in no way means birth can ever be what one would call “easy”, however you can help yourself through this process by training specifically for it, just as one would for that marathon.
The moment you learn you’re pregnant, it's not too late to start. Gaining strength over the next 9 months can do so much to help your body physically through the strenuousness of the birthing process. When you train in a way that preps for those quick high intensity intervals during labor you can make that process easier because your body is already used to more strenuous exercise. This is how it all comes together and can help one have an easier time while giving birth. When the body is not fighting too hard to handle the high intensity feel of labor, one can have more mental space to work through labor because they are not as focused on how completely exhausted they are. **
Other ways that exercise can help, when specifically working with a Prenatal Fitness Specialist, are certain techniques that go along with exercise, such as breathwork and pelvic floor work. Connecting to those deep core muscles and really getting to know them can be super beneficial not only during labor, but also after for an easier recovery.
I know labor doesn’t always go as planned, and whether one opts for a c-birth, or needs an emergency c-birth (Cesarean Birth), she would also have majorly benefitted from her prenatal “marathon” like training mentality because her body will have strength on her side to help through the first couple months postpartum before she can slowly and gently pick back up with exercise. I like to think of this as an athlete going in for knee surgery. Does one think they will have to be immobile around the knee area when surgery comes anyway so what's the point in exercise beforehand? Well, the strength that one can build up pre-surgery can be SO helpful in that more fragile post-surgery period. Having strength in the body can make daily life tasks much easier than not having built up that strength over nine months.
Regardless of how it turns out, isn’t it worth a shot to feel better during pregnancy due to exercise, to be able to thrive through pregnancy rather than just get through it? And similarly, if you have a shot at making the birthing process even just a smidge easier, why not give it a go?! The more prep that can go into exercise in the prenatal phase the easier each piece of the process can go, all the way through to postpartum recovery.
**Of course there are scenarios that can still leave even an avid exerciser exhausted, example 37 hour labor, or complications, etc.
Carly is a Certified Personal Trainer specializing in Pre/Postnatal Fitness. Fitness & health have always been her greatest passion. Her own mama-journey, which gave her two wonderful children, made her realize the lack of information and programming for Pregnant and Postpartum Women. Since then she made it her mission to share information and help as many women as possible.
carlymaxwellfitness.com
@fitmamaspecialist