Apr 14 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Slowing down in Month 7

Injuries, Pregnancy
by Beth

After having my best month yet last month, I was optimistic that I would ride that feel-good wave through the rest of my pregnancy. Alas, by month 7, I found myself looking round, feeling slow and becoming increasingly useless.   When you’re a health-conscious, athletic person, there are a few things in life that you’d never imagine yourself experiencing: like having to wear loose, over-sized clothing or waddling around like a stuffed penguin on flat ground. I was plus 25 pounds, and feeling every one of them.   I didn't climb at all this...

Read More
Apr 07 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Interview with Long Huynh, OB/GYN and climber

Climbing, Interviews, Pregnancy
by Beth

One of the many messages I received after I started blogging about climbing and pregnancy was from Long Huynh, an OB/GYN and climber living in Boulder, CO. She had collaborated with Climbing Magazine a few years back to do a very brief summary of climbing during pregnancy. However, I had many specific questions, as did a bunch of you that I thought would be great to get answered by a medical professional. What she gave me was above and beyond and more than helpful. There is so much information below...

Read More
Apr 01 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Caroline George Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

When I published some of my first blogs on climbing while pregnant, I got a barrage of messages and notes from women around the world who had been through the same thing. Some of them I knew and some of them I didn't. Caroline George is someone who reached out to me in the very first months. Although I don't know Caroline personally, we have many many mutual friends and she's been a great source of information for me.   Caroline holds the prestigious title of IFMGA certified guide, something only a...

Read More
Mar 25 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Finger strength exercises

Climbing, Pregnancy
by Beth

Hi Beth -   First off, let me say thank you for getting this subject out there and talked about. I have run into women at the crag and in the gym who talk about your blog all the time. Some have children and some never want kids, but it has started a dialogue, so thank you!   I know that you have mentioned that you have tapered back on climbing because of your extremely loose joints. I am 3 months pregnant and have noticed that my joints are also getting very loose. But...

Read More
Mar 13 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Martina Cufar Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

I first met Martina Cufar at the X Games. We were both young climbers competing against the greats of the sport (Liv Sansoz, Katie Brown, etc). Her climbing always impressed me, so strong, so focused and so smooth. Over the years I would see her at other X Games and World Cups, dominating with her quiet demeanor.   As we both slowly left the competition scene, Martina had several World Cup podium finishes and a first place at the famous Arco Rock Masters event under her belt. She went on to climb...

Read More
Mar 06 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Month 6: Reaching False Summits and Continuing the Climb

Climbing, Pregnancy, Yosemite
by Beth

Hitting month 6 felt like reaching a glorious summit compared to where I had been, especially during my first few months of pregnancy. Back in months one and two especially, I was tired, nauseous all the time, scared and alone. “I really don’t understand how anyone could possibly enjoy this,” I thought to myself, daily.   But by the time I reached month 6, I had gotten into a groove. I was enjoying my regular trad-walking in Yosemite. And most important, I finally started blogging about my pregnancy. To be open and...

Read More
Feb 28 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Thoughts and Perspective from Miri in Germany

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

  Hi Beth -  I just read your blog about your pregnancy! Really cool and of course congratulations!! I am not a professional climber but a very enthusiastic and passionate climber - and we're parents of a 1.5 year old girl. When I became pregnant I was insecure about climbing and bouldering and about our climbing after the birth. My doctor is really cool and is really sporty himself and he kept supporting me in doing sports and of course in climbing. We went in the gym 4-6 times a week, I belayed...

Read More
Feb 25 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Lyn Barraza Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

For those of you who know Lyn Barraza, you know that she is one of those superhuman people. She has more energy than I've seen in just about any human being. She tries harder and longer than almost anyone at the crags, and has an infectiously psyched attitude.   She also runs one of the most successful climbing gyms in the country, Berkeley Ironworks, and is a member of the Access Fund Board of Directors.   Last year she had her second child, Conrad, and her pregnancy didn't seem to slow her down a bit. In December,...

Read More
Feb 21 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Month 5: Tradwalking, Falling and Finally Getting Real

Climbing, Pregnancy, Yosemite
by Beth

Month five started my best couple months yet in pregnancy. I think it was the openness that I finally gave to the pregnancy. Being able to share and talk about it with other people was more relieving than I ever imagined. With the announcement of our pregnancy, I've been learning how excited some people get about kids. Some people are over the moon about kids and others are a "normal" amount of excited. I find it really interesting and sweet to see who all these people are in my life.   It's...

Read More
Feb 18 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Steph Davis Interview – Decisions About Having Kids

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood
by Beth

Steph Davis is one of the most accomplished female climbers of the past 20 years. She has established routes in the mountains of Pakistan, to first free ascents on El Cap, to hard routes in the desert. On top of all of that, she has one of the best blogs out there and runs Moab B.A.S.E Adventures. She also is a great friend of mine. I have interviewed several women climbers and how they dealt with pregnancy and having children. I wanted to interview Steph about her decision around having kids/not having kids....

Read More