There’s an interesting theory circulating the news and blogs this week. Professor Greg Whyte, a Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Liverpool John Moores University recently stated that he believes pregnancy and childbirth can actually improve strength and joint mobility in women. Apparently scientists speculate that pregnancy hormones are performance enhancing for female athletes.
Personally, I feel as though my abs have gotten a passport and left the country. I barely have enough stamina to get through the whole day without a nap. I definitely don’t feel any stronger.
But, there is a list of female athletes who have performed better after becoming mothers, and some are attributing their success to their increased blood supply, which remains for some time after childbirth, and the hormone relaxin (according to Dr James Pivarnik of Michigan University).
Perhaps the strength increasing benefits of pregnancy are reserved for those who had strength to begin with. I would like to see these scientists study average women rather than professional athletes and see if their findings still hold true. I suspect that pro athletes put a lot more effort into getting back in shape because fitness is part of their job. They will make arrangements for exercise just as many moms make arrangements for returning to work. They may work even harder than they did before to lose the baby weight and regain muscle tone.
Now, if we were to discuss other types of strength, I would say there’s no contest: pregnancy definitely makes you stronger. Nine months of pregnancy symptoms will increase your emotional stamina and better equip you to handle everyday stresses after pregnancy. Every woman walks away from childbirth (especially if it’s natural) with a new definition of “pain” and an increased tolerance for it. Carrying a newborn around all day long definitely gives you muscles, and as your baby grows, so do your biceps. Once they start running, you’re really in for a workout.
Do you think these scientists are onto something?