Fit Mama Friday – Meet Taylor

Meet Taylor.

On Fit Mama Friday today, Taylor, 29 weeks pregnant with her second child and considered a high risk pregnancy due to May-Thurner syndrome, explains why she feels like working out makes her a better mother. Having had a scary post-birth experience after having her son Will, who is 3 years and 8 months old – complete with surgery and a long recovery period – Taylor now runs for those who can’t. Taylor considers herself a mother first and foremost, but also works full-time outside the home as a school psychologist in the public school system, as well as writing a blog, ‘Miracles of Life’. Married to Austin, they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Will’s little brother in February next year! 

So I know you’re a super fit mama – what do you do for your workouts, Taylor? Were you just as active and fit during your first pregnancy?

Well, I haven’t always been a runner, but since I started, I have pretty much stuck to running.  I add in light weights, yoga and pilates, but they are not my main focus. I remained active throughout my first pregnancy, running up until 33 weeks when I was told to stop due to some preterm labor concerns.  I then ellipticaled and swam.  The entire pregnancy I did light weights and yoga.  During my current pregnancy I am still running (29 weeks), yoga and light weights.

You weren’t always a runner – so is fitness and working out new for you, or just running? 

No, I have always been an active person, from early on in my childhood. I am the girl who wanted to be outside, up in trees, on an adventure instead of cooped up reading a book! I started sports with softball at 5 years old and throughout my educational career played softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country and then focused on soccer in college.  Honestly I hated running until I began my “big girl” career and the stress was taking over. Although I was in shape, I was not a runner and was not in running shape. However, this was my outlet, I started running every day as soon as I got home from work and couldn’t run a mile without walking when I started in 2005. Within a year I trained for a 10 mile race, then a half marathon and signed up for my first full marathon in the Spring of 2006.  I completed it and was hooked, running another in October of 2006. I have now completed 5 marathons, too many half marathons to count, as well as 15K’s, 10Ks, the occasional 5K and my first 30K trail race this past year. The only time I didn’t run was after my son was born and I was unable to do so due to the medical complications of the blood clot in my leg.

You mention the blood clot you had following your first pregnancy – tell me more about your condition, May-Thurner Syndrome. You had to have surgery after Will was born, but this was something you had no idea about until after his birth, is that right?

Yep, it was a crazy ride. Perfect pregnancy, perfect delivery, no signs of anything. Then four days after he was born my leg swelled up and I had a DVT from my hip to my ankle. They diagnosed me with May-Thurner Syndrome because my iliac vein collapsed due to the weight of my uterus. They removed the clot in ICU through surgery but couldn’t open the vein. I have a duplicate vein that does what it can, but the Lovenox shots and high-risk status is to prevent the blood from clotting if the duplicate collapses this time!

That must have been so scary and painful! I’m so sorry you went through that. Since you’re high risk, are you able to work out during this pregnancy?

Actually, due to my medical condition it is better to stay active and I was in the best running/shape of my life when I got pregnant so this is not a change in activity level for me.

Have you had people voice their concern when they find out you’re high risk and still running and working out? 

Most people have been positive.  I still get the occasional looks when I am out running that go straight to my belly! A lot of other women I know are encouraged and inspired to work out by the fact that I do it pregnant. I do have some that question me and ask about my doctor’s thoughts as I am high risk, yet I remind them that it’s better for me to be active with my condition.

So, apart from the obvious difference of knowing about your condition this time around, how has your current pregnancy compared, in terms of how you feel, morning sickness, energy levels and how much you’re working out?

This pregnancy has been much more difficult!  I feel like I have had all the symptoms I didn’t have with my first.  My first pregnancy was a breeze, minor nausea and that was about it!  I had a lot of morning (all day sickness) until about 16 weeks of this one and my energy level was low but came back at about the same point as my first, 16 weeks. Of course this pregnancy I am having to do Lovenox shots every day so that changes things a bit as well.