QuestionI have signed up for an open water swim in 11 months. I just recently discovered I am pregnant. I plan to train throughout the pregnancy. My due date is April 6 and the swim is June 25. Will increasing my training have an effect on the development of my fetus? The total distance I plan to swim is 1 1/2 miles. I am in the early phases of training and am swimming a total of 1200m (3/4 mile) 3 times a week. I am physically active and actually ran a marathon pregnant at 6 weeks with my first baby. Will I have enough time to recover from childbirth and get back in the pool before the race?
Also I'm headed to a roller coaster park next week on a family vacation. The only literature I can find regarding pregnancy and roller coasters talks about causing placenta abruption, but at this stage of the pregnancy (6 weeks) with the embryo so small will riding a few roller coasters make a difference? Shouldn't the new little one be firmly implanted into the uterine wall and protected? To ride or not to ride, that is my question.
Thanks for your time in answering!
AnswerRoller coasters and other devises that strongly jar and/or vibrate the body are not advisable during any phase of pregnancy. Have fun at the park, but stay off the big rides.
As to your swimming training, you should be able to swim right up to birth. Do as much training as you can in a pool, which is a controlled environment. If you do train outside the pool, ALWAYS train with at least one other person.
Since you are now doing 3/4 mile, which is half the distance that you want to swim at the event, start slowly adding distance to fully acclimate to the 1.5 miles before you reach 20 weeks gestation. The placenta stops growing at 20 weeks, therefore, its ability to transport oxygen and fuel becomes capped.
From about 24 weeks onward, you'll need to begin to slowly taper down the intensity of your workouts because as you baby grows, she will demand more oxygen. This makes your rate of perceived exertion for any given workload increase. Always stay in a zone that you feel is "somewhat difficult." In the last trimester, don't try to push yourself to gain more stamina or aerobic capacity.
Lots of athletes misjudge this phase of pregnancy, and define themselves as being out of shape, or not working hard enough. But in reality, your body is working at a much higher base level 24/7, and this accounts for the change in workload ability.
As to recovery, most OBGYNs advise pp women to avoid pools, lakes, baths, etc. until the uterus has fully closed up and your lochia (postpartum bleeding) has stopped to prevent bacteria and other pathogens from entering the body. You could cross train at this time, but choose a non-impact activity to protect you joints, which will be looser until about 6 months pp.
Athletes tend to recover much more quickly than others, so it's possible that you might be able do the 1.5 mile swim - if you have an uncomplicated delivery and have been able to swim consistently up until delivery. Pregnancy actually increases overall aerobic capacity, and since you're training for an endurance aerobic event, puts you in a good position.
FYI, athletic women tend to have very quick second and third stages of labor, and since you are on baby number two, you might give birth very quickly, so be prepared.
