Staying active during pregnancy is really important. It can help lower a mother’s risk of diabetes and depression after birth. It also helps the baby by improving placental growth, regulating weight, and increasing muscle tone.
When I got pregnant, I struggled to find good information about how to exercise during pregnancy even though I was an Olympic athlete with access to lots of resources. There’s so much conflicting advice and outdated information out there.
We need to empower women and trust them to make informed choices. By giving moms good information, they can decide what’s best for them and their babies.
What advice do you have for new parents?
While you’re caring for your child, don’t forget to invest in yourself. It can be easy to lose yourself in your new role as a mom, but it’s important to balance that by continuing to pursue your own passions and developing yourself.
A big part of this is finding good resources for parents and accepting help when it’s offered, which can take some of the burden off of you.
For example, after my second pregnancy, Kaiser Permanente automatically scheduled a 2-week postpartum visit with a lactation consultant. I was able to talk about my experience and ask questions and get advice about lots of different topics. I didn’t have access to this help with my first baby, and I was so grateful for this proactive approach to our care.
What are some things you do to support your own mental and physical health?
I’m a big believer in how exercise feeds the mind-body connection. Daily physical movement helps reduce my anxiety and makes me feel more centered.
After having my first child, I trained too hard too soon and got injured. With my second child, I listened to my body and took a more balanced approach to staying active.
I encourage new parents to find activities that make them feel healthy and prevent burnout. Whether it’s taking a walk or taking a nap, making time for the things that replenish your energy is crucial.
How has your athletic career influenced the way you think about managing stress?
Building a strong team is so important. My husband and my parents supported me through some really tough times. They help me get back on track or create an entirely new path when needed.
Being vulnerable can profoundly strengthen relationships. I used to always keep my struggles to myself but sharing them has made me feel connected to the people around me in an entirely new way.
I think we all have a duty to leave the world better than we found it. I’m motivated by the idea of paying it forward, just like the strong women who came before me and created so many of the opportunities that I’ve had.