CrossFit & Pregnancy; 5 Things to Consider

Earlier this week Frederik Aegidius and Annie Thorisdottir, CrossFit Games Champion and second Fittest Female in Iceland, announced they are expecting their first child, due August 5. This is no surprise, given that last June she announced a partnership with NUUN, in which she worked to ensure her freshly minted contract with NUUN came with something unique: a pregnancy clause.

“I don’t believe a woman’s value decreases when she gets pregnant or after having a child…Just like it is inspiring for people to follow hard workers in their sport they are also interested in seeing how those hard workers go through pregnancy,” Thorisdottir said.

Now that Thorisdottir is expecting, she’s joined the club OF elite CrossFitters that are taking time off to start a family. Athletes like Kara Saunders and Emily Bridgers just welcomed beautiful bundles of joy, while CrossFitters Mackenzie Riley, Cassidy Lance-McWherter, and Miranda Alcaraz of Street Parking are currently expecting little ones.

But notice anything about those names? They’re all still training and getting after their fitness, which is what you should be doing too if you’re able. Here are five things to consider if you are, or will soon be, expecting a tiny little adventurer of your own.

1. •

   Consider getting a birth coach like elite athletes Kara Saunders, Lindsey Valenzuela and Quiana Welch did. Brianna Battles, who has made it her mission to keep pregnant athletes in the gym when she founded Pregnant and Postpartum Athleticism says, “We’ve seen such an uptick recently in the number of women that have always identified of athletes and fast forward ten or twenty years and they’re thinking of families but don’t want to stop competing. And they don’t have to.”

2. •

   Don’t stop training. Look at Kara Saunders. Saunders, who placed 2nd at the CrossFit Games in 2017 and 4th in 2018, gave birth to her daughter, Scotti, in May. Saunders put her training life out in the public through her pregnancy, even completing CrossFit Open workout 19.2 live in her third trimester. She scaled the movement, completing faster than other non-pregnant mere mortals.

3. •

   Don’t scrimp on nutrition, unless you want to. While it is tempting to translate “Eating for Two” as “Go Full Send” it may not be wise in the long run. While there certainly isn’t anything wrong with cookies (pregnant or not, we might add) consider keeping your nutrition game on point, whatever that looks like for you. Keep that protein intake high so you know you’re getting all the nutrients you need. Adding lots of greens will help your fiber intake, and there are still lots of ways to succumb to those cravings. P.S. Collagen is great for skin (ahem, stretch marks…)

4. •

   Listen to both your body and your doctor. If you tell a competitive athlete to “listen to her body” she might be inclined to listen to the part of her body that says “GO HAM.” Being safe with your body and your training during this time will pay off in the long run. Getting back to your regular training postpartum will be a lot easier if it’s injury free.

5. •

   Keep getting outside and having adventures. Life doesn’t stop when you’re expecting. Go hiking. Ride your bike. Go camping. Try sailing or yoga. Get some fresh air and some Vitamin D. Your body will thank you. And besides, you won’t have much time for that once Junior arrives. Get it while you can!