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...

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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,...

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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....

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Feb 12 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Thoughts and perspective from Jasmin in Italy

Climbing, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

Best wishes for your pregnancy from Italy (I'm based in Milan, but originally from the Dolomites) Jasmin & Elia  Hi Jasmin -   Thank you so much for your very thoughtful message and information. I think women in the US will find your perspective very valuable and interesting. I know that I always thought European women and mothers had access to much more information and acceptance while climbing during pregnancy and with children. I'm sorry to hear that it's not necessarily the case!   I will say that at least in California where I am located,...

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Feb 06 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Month 3: First Trimester Done

Climbing, Motherhood, Pregnancy, Yosemite
by Beth

Most people said the nausea would likely be gone by the end of the first trimester. But there was always a chance the I’d be one of those unlucky women who were sick throughout their pregnancy. As the end of the first trimester approached, I felt a mix of hope and dread. Luckily, as my third month came to a end, so did my daily bouts of sickness. It took about two weeks to fully fade out, but then it was gone. Yipee skipee, no more nausea! The relief of...

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Feb 04 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Lynn Hill Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

When I was 19 years old I met the legendary Lynn Hill. I had just completed my first 5.14 at Smith Rock in Oregon, To Bolt Or Not To Be, when Lynn invited me to go to Madagascar with her, Nancy Feagin and Kath Pyke. Being more famous that most male climbers, Lynn has accomplished things decades ahead of her time. With her free ascent of the Nose, numerous 5.14's, first ascents on different continents, her list of accomplishments is endless. I was completely humbled that such a legend would...

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Jan 27 2014

Climbing Pregnant: Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou Interview

Climbing, Interviews, Kids, Motherhood, Pregnancy
by Beth

This is the first of several interviews of women who climbed during pregnancy. If I've learned anything from climbing and pregnancy, it's that there is a huge range of how people feel. Some women have been able to maintain a high activity level throughout their pregnancy and others feel so terrible that they are sidelined for months at a time. Even different pregnancies with the same women can vary drastically. I know that I am climbing far below my "normal" climbing level and frequency well into my second trimester. Robyn...

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