So I've read all the info on pregnancy and *training *thats around , though I am always looking for more, BUT I haven't really found much information about *racing. *In many of the posts a woman raced a few weeks after finding out they were pregnant or some similar situation. My wife and I are planning on trying to get pregnant this coming May and were debating a 1/2 IM middle of August. She is very fit and well trained and we both lead health life styles along with our training and racing schedules, but I was wondering if anyone could offer more information regarding racing during pregnancy and especially a race of that distance at the end of our first trimester? Any advice is welcome!
In this situation I would think that the best thing to do would be to talk to her doctor, way to many variables involved. Man you are confident she will be pregnant. I would say go ahead and sign up, pay the entry fee and if she doesn’t get pregnant your good to go and if the doctor tells you different make the kid pay you back when he/she is old enough to earn money.
A professional IM athlete here has been competing whilst pregnant this season, she is a good 4-5 months prego. She uses a heart rate monitor to keep her heart rate below a certain level and is more competing than racing, she sticks to sprint races. I don’t know enough about babies to know if it is a good idea.
I know once my aunt found out that she was pregnant she decided not to do the 2003 lake placid IM and cut down her training volume. The previous year she was a top five finisher in her class (pro female) at placid.
I will say that your question is very difficult to answer. I will say I am an OB/GYN. So I guess I am as qualified to try to answer as anyone. I will say that ACOG does have recommendations on exercise in pregnancy (ACOG.ORG). If you are “attempting” pregnancy in May, I assume you are using some sort of birth control now. If you spot the contraception in May, there is a chance of becoming pregnant during any month May through August or not being pregnant by August. If you do not become pregnant then that is still normal and all this research is unneeded. If you do become pregnant, these are the things I would recommend to think about. 1. Training for a half ironman may be difficult during the first trimester. Many women have morning sickness, all day sickness, and just feel fatigued. 2. Cardiovascular changes in pregnancy. Many pregnant women that do exercise do notice “lesser” fitness due to the relative anemia of pregnancy. This is caused by an expansion of red cell number, but a greater increase in serum volume. There are also changes in the vascular resistance. 3. As someone pointed out there is no good research on exercise of this intensity during pregnancy, and if something “bad” were to happen you are the ones that have to live with it. Even if it is something that is happens (miscarriage). 4. If she does happen to be beyond 13 weeks the uterus is outside the bony pelvis and falls off the bike a direct hit to the abdomen could cause an abruption and miscarriage (risk very low but outcome catostrophic) I have seen an abruption after being hit by a tossed 12 oz drink can. I know I haven’t given you any straight answers, but that is the nature of the question you asked. Nobody has a good answer to what you should do. I guess the person that said good luck on the pregnancy and that no race is worth any increased risk (real or possible) to your child said it best. People on this forum may be more liberal with what they think you can do in pregnancy than I or any OB/GYN, but they do not have to worry about the risk of malpractice cases if your child fails to get into Harvard. I am not saying that you would sue about this, but keep that in mind as your physician tells you to do less than you think you can do. I have seen women race 10k races well late into pregnancy, and they have chosen to take the risks of possibly shunting blood from the fetus to the muscles. They were not my patients so I do not know the outcome, but those ladies have have made a decision about their healthcare, and now you must do the same. There is no right answer, but the one you and your wife make togther.
Thanks Chris for taking the time to write…I was hoping someone from the medical field would respond. My wife and I have, and are continuing, to do research on all the aspects of getting pregnant WHILE both training and the pregnancy itself. I would never want to take undue risk with our baby if we are lucky enough to get pregnant after sitting in saddles for a few hours a day but wanted to begin to understand when you begin to enter into harms way…another grey area. Anyways, thank you all for the comments even those less than scientific All are welcome.
One thing I forgot to add, It may be advisable for the father not to compete if the pregnant mum does. That lady I mentioned that did the race easily, still beat the father. Fancy being beaten by your pregnant wife ! He has copped a bit from us.
Trying to race or train while attempting to conceive another human being is nothing short of completely assinine and selfish. You want to bring another person into this world and risk that person’s chances for a completely healthy childhood for a little competition?
That you would even ask this question is your biggest clue towards your readiness for parenthood. Neither one of you is ready to be a parent with all that being a parent entails.
I know, I know…People are out there doing so and they are fine. What about those who you don’t hear about.
Nutritional and safety issues aside. Would your marriage survive if something did occur to this human being whom the two of you are choosing to play russian roulette?
It’s not just a baby. It is a person who is entitled to every ADVANTAGE you can bring them, not just a package to haul around.
Hey Russell…Was the question…hey my wife and I are pregnant in our thrid trimester and were wondering if its a good idea to do an Ironman tomorow…NO…the reason I brought this up three months BEFORE we are trying to get pregnant is because we ARE responsible…so spare me your “You’re selfish” speech and go F#^& yourself. You don’t know the first thing about me.
I would encourage both you and your wife to be fit while trying to get pregnant, and while being pregnant. Your wife can exercise too much. There is a thing called exercise amenorrhea. If your wife exercises to the point that she has irregular or no periods, she could have trouble becoming pregnant. There is some research showing decreased sperm counts in men that ride “long rides” I don’t remember off hand what qualifies as long. Both of these will lead to inferitlityand not trouble with pregnancy. I would not get to terribly caught up in this unless you go 6 or seven months and are not able to get pregnant. Both of you must keep in mind it can take up to 1 year to get pregnant, and this is normal. But until you approach that definition of infertility, I would say keep in shape because in general the more fit the mother to be is at conception the more fit she will be throughout pregnancy. It is very difficult to become more fit while pregnant. Once again good luck.
“I was wondering if anyone could offer more information regarding racing during pregnancy and especially a race of that distance at the end of our first trimester? Any advice is welcome!”
First, you came to a public forum and asked for peolpe’s opinion. Sorry that my non sugar coated views hurt your feelings. Get over that real soon OK?
Second, you specifically asked about training and racing pregnant. First trimester or second or third is irrelevant. Life has enough risks that adding to that is simply selfish. Perhaps you haven’t realized that you are selfish or you don’t wish to have it pointed out to you. Either way, you get over that real soon too.
Russell I am going to have to agree with Ironmny on this one what research do you base that trying to conceive while training is assinine and selfish. I think they are being very responsible. They are considering pregnancy. Almost 50% of USA pregnancies are unplanned. They are doing research. Give them a break or give me the good research to back up your point. maybe there is some new research I have not seen.
Chris- Thanks for the posts, I really appreciate it. We’ll keep your advice in mind along with our doctor’s and see how our particular case unfolds. Thanks again.
“I was wondering if anyone could offer more information regarding racing during pregnancy and especially a race of that distance at the end of our first trimester? Any advice is welcome!”
The OP is specifically asking about racing during the first trimester. I responded accordingly.
There is a vast difference between a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise and training for tri events. I think that all people should be exercising, even while attempting to conceive. I don’t think it is prudent to stress one’s body on a continual basis for tri training and try to bring another person into the world.
Russell I disagree you did not answer the OP. Your first post talked about training and racing while trying to conceive. That is your opinion. You may be right, I have no good research to show otherwise. The body however under too much stress tends to lead to infertility not adverse pregnancy outcomes.
All are welcome.