In case you missed this story yesterday, a woman delivered a healthy baby girl just hours after she crossed the finish line at Sunday's Chicago marathon. According to the Chicago Tribune article:
Amber Miller was nearly 39 weeks pregnant -- expecting her second child any day -- when she set off from the starting line of the Chicago Marathon Sunday.
She ran and walked even as contractions started kicking in toward the end of the race. But she managed to cross the finish line -- and grab a bite to eat -- before giving birth to baby girl June Sunday night.
"I got the OK from my doctor to run half, and my husband ran with me and supported me along the way," Miller told WGN-Channel 9 from her bed at Central DuPage Hospital. "I ran half and walked half, that's how I finished."
Her decision (along with her doctor's approval) to do the race has created quite a stir on the Internet. Some commenters are calling her "selfish" and an "idiot", while others are saying she's an "inspiration".
Personally, I ran right up until giving birth during both of my pregnancies. I didn't participate in a marathon but, during my short (and slow) runs, I still got some incredulous looks and comments from people who didn't think a very pregnant woman should be running. So part of me believes that it's no one's business if and how much a pregnant woman wants to run or walk. But I will say that during labor and delivery, I needed every ounce of strength and energy I had, so I can't imagine having to do that after just having run a marathon that day or even the week before.
What do you think? Leave your comments below.
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I told this stories to my mate… his response was what was her time?
Irresponsible! If the fetus senses danger at any moment whilst in the womb, its only defence is to abort (ironically). This is why she gave birth earlier. I cannot believe what I just read!
@Krystal, shoot I would want to know her time for both the marathon and in labor. That woman provides a whole new meaning to walking (running) it off
She knows her body. The people that are giving negative feedback are non-runners that have no idea the efficiency that this woman’s body has… I say more power to her. I would have only thought she was a little silly if she ran 7 hours AFTER giving birth.
This story is such an inspiration. Every woman and pregnancy is different, and I’m sure with her running history and her doctor’s approval she wasn’t putting herself or the baby in any harm. What we don’t learn is that our legs are also an important part of our bodies to giving birth, they are the first to tire so having strong legs to carry us through that finish line in such good shape is a benefit. What people should be doing is questioning mother’s that eat fast food and other harmful, processed meals. In my eyes that is far worse for the growing fetus than running.
@Saffron, running the marathon didn’t necessarily cause her to give birth earlier. The article says she was due any day. Further, “According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, combining running and pregnancy helps mother and baby in many ways.”
That’s awesome!
The first thing I asked was, “What was her time?” The “common pregnant woman” feasts on junk food and sodas while sitting on a couch, then points a finger at the healthy, pregnant, experienced runner who knows her body and listens to her doctor?? Ppffft!
BTW, in regards to the comment about the fetus “aborting”… it may have induced the labor, but a week 39 delivery is not an abort by any stretch.
According to the article, her time was 6:25:50 — so she probably finished around 2:00 p.m. Her baby was born at 10:29 p.m.
Kudos to her! I will be 26 weeks during my race next weekend. I worked out during the entire previous pregnancies (2 others) and labor has been shorter and easier each time. Weight training, running, walking, aerobics what ever you choose to do in order to stay fit and healthy during your carrying months will only benefit you and your baby. If your doctor is on board, I say go for it. The bonus, besides a more pleasant labor and delivery, is that you get your body back and can be active with your baby sooner. For the record, 40 weeks is the term of a human pregnancy but anytime after 37 weeks is just fine for a healthy delivery.
What do you think pregnant women did when we were hunters and gathers? Sat around in one location for the entire pregnancy waiting for people to bring them back food? Props to her, I think she’s setting a good example for more women to follow.
I agree with many of you- if her doctor said ok, who are we to say it wasn’t good for her? And she obviously had a very healthy pregnancy, which lead to a healthy baby girl. Good for her, I’m sure she bounced back much quicker than I did post-pregnancy, and I’m an avid walker!
I’m with Melody on this one. Women for centuries have been working right up to the point of labor. Why do we coddle our bodies, whether pregnant or not, when women and men decades before our time clearly worked their bodies. If her doctor gave her the thumbs up, then clearly the doctor felt she and the baby could handle the run. She wasn’t abusing her unborn child …if you believe this, then maybe your great-great grandmother did too. I know my ancestors worked in potato fields, and before that had to run long distances to hunt down their food. Don’t you allow yourself to believe that woman just sat around doing nothing during their pregnancy. We are powerful woman…I just wish that more people treated their bodies this way in THIS generation. I plan to exercise up until the point of labor to make delivery easier and to help my post pregnancy body bounce back sooner.
WOW! KUDOS to her! People should stop with the criticism.
Good on her. I totally agree with all the positive comments here. If you are already fit and healthy and listen to your body then exercise is good for your body and your mind. I cycled for all my pregnancy and got some funny looks when heavily pregnant.
There is a woman who lifts weights at my gym who must be 9 months pregnant, and she’s more buff than I am! Not fair, but good for her! Unfortunately, many women feel that pregnancy means sitting on your butt and eating all the food you want, when that is just wrong and can be detrimental. Also, in agreement with many of the comments regarding our ancestors-women worked/gathered/hunted right up until giving birth. Being in shape makes labor much easier!