Listen up, fellow waddlers and belly-balancers! While we're over here debating whether reaching for the TV remote counts as our daily workout, some absolute powerhouses are out there competing in the Olympics with a bun in the oven. Talk about multitasking goals!
Archery for Two: A Kick-Ass Performance
Meet Yaylagul Ramazanova, the Azerbaijani archer who decided that shooting arrows wasn't challenging enough – she had to do it while six-and-a-half months pregnant. Because why not, right? When I was that far along, my biggest achievement was successfully putting on socks without weeping.
But here's where it gets wild, mamas. Yaylagul felt her baby kick right before her final shot. And what did she do? She scored a perfect 10! Meanwhile, the most perfect 10 I've ever scored while pregnant was on the comfort scale of my Preggo Leggings.
Yaylagul made it to the final 32 in her event. The only thing I made it to at six months pregnant was the fridge... multiple times a day.
Fencing with a Plus One
Not to be outdone, Nada Hafez, the 26-year-old Egyptian fencer, said "hold my non-alcoholic beer" and competed while seven months pregnant. She even finished 16th – her best result in three Olympics! When I was seven months pregnant, my best result was successfully navigating the grocery store without having to pee halfway through.
Nada's Instagram post melted my hormone-addled heart: "What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come to our world, little baby." Excuse me while I sob into my maternity pillow.
The Great Debate
Now, I know what you're thinking. Is it safe? Is it crazy? Is it the ultimate power move? Well, according to Dr. Kathryn Ackerman, a sports medicine physician and co-chair of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee's women's health task force, it's becoming more common as we dispel the myth that you can't exercise at a high level when pregnant.
Dr. Ackerman says that if an athlete is in good condition going into pregnancy and there are no complications, it's safe to work out, train, and compete at a very high level. Though she does draw the line at ski racing. I draw the line at racing to the bathroom for the 100th time that day, but to each their own.
The Trailblazers
These preggo Olympians aren't the first to compete while expecting, but they're certainly pushing the boundaries. Remember Serena Williams winning the Australian Open while pregnant? Or Kerri Walsh Jennings snagging Olympic gold while five weeks along (and not even knowing it)?
Casey Kaufhold, an American archer who won bronze in the mixed team category, called it "really cool" to see Ramazanova competing. I think it's really cool when I manage to shave both legs in one shower session at seven months pregnant, but I guess we all have different standards of achievement.
The Real MVPs
Now, let's be real for a second. These women are incredible, and they're sending a powerful message about what the female body is capable of. But hey, if your Olympic achievement today was getting out of bed and remembering to take your prenatal vitamin, you're still a champion in my book.
Remember, mamas and mamas-to-be, whether you're competing on the world stage or just trying to put on your Preggo Leggings without a three-act drama, you're doing amazing. Our bodies are capable of incredible things – growing humans, yes, but also adapting to whatever challenges we throw at them (including that third slice of pizza, thank you very much).
So the next time you're feeling like pregnancy has turned you into a waddling, forgetful mess (been there, lived that), remember Yaylagul and Nada. And then remember that growing a human is your superpower, whether you're wielding a bow, a sabre, or just trying to wield a spatula without dropping it.
As Casey Kaufhold said about Ramazanova, "I think it's awesome for this archer that one day, she can tell her kid, 'Hey, I went to the Olympic Games and you were there, too.'" Well, one day I'll tell my kids, "Hey, I binge-watched all nine seasons of The Office while pregnant with you, and you were there too!" We all have our legacies.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go attempt my own Olympic feat: putting on socks while 8 months pregnant. Wish me luck!