Is childbirth equivalent to an athletic event?

Childbirth is worse than running a marathon.

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Can I say it? Suck it up all you marathon runners, according to researchers from the University of Michigan, giving birth is “the most traumatic event the human body can undergo.”

Researchers used MRI equipment typically used to diagnose sports injuries to explore what a woman’s body experiences during childbirth.

15 percent of women never fully recover from the birth-related pelvic injuries.

According to Janis Miller, an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, “We have this thing where we tell women, ‘Well, you’re six weeks postpartum and now we don’t need to see you—you’ll be fine.’ But not all women feel fine after six weeks nor are ready to go back to work, and they aren’t crazy.”

Miller continues, “Women with pelvic injuries often feel like something isn’t right, but they don’t understand why and can’t get answers from physicians.” Such injuries can lead to bladder issues and organ prolapse. And no amount of Kegel exercises can fix that.

Miller hopes that this research encourages more doctors to stop taking a one-size-fits-all approach to postpartum recovery and take each mother’s concern seriously. She also encourages mums who feel like they are experiencing a delayed recovery or non-average symptoms to seek the help of a specialist.

Can you relate?

Share your thoughts below.

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10 Comments

- - Lori-Anne said
  - 03 Feb 2016
    6:27 pm
I am experiencing Pelvic Instability during this pregnancy… I will be working closely with my Doctor and Exercise Physiologist after the birth to aid in the recovery process.

- - mom170041 said
  - 09 Jan 2016
    9:40 am
After having my twins full term at 6lbs 14oz an 6lbs 12oz with my last baby born breech, naturally I felt like a champion. But, after 6 months I had to have reconstruction surgery due to a tear between my bowel and uterus. I knew the whole time something was wrong but I had been released after six weeks. Keep on asking questions and if you have to see another doctor. Life was hard with a two year old and two babies without this physical problem but we made it through. Watch out for your self. You have to do it for your babies.

- - rachelvk said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    4:20 pm
It’s certainly an experience but all worth it in the end!

- - aprilb1 said
  - 30 Dec 2015
    10:21 pm
I think we should be warned about these things just in case it was to happen.

- - mom94125 said
  - 12 Dec 2015
    8:08 pm
they sure do need to approach it on an individual’s level. personalise the care or after care.

- - Nas01 said
  - 09 Dec 2015
    2:12 pm
Labour is definetly like a marathon and the more children you have the harder it is to get your pelvic floor muscle and bladder back to normal.

- - curlytops said
  - 08 Dec 2015
    3:19 pm
I had never thought of it before but your right they treat everything and everyone the same and yet we are all so different.

- - mom163392 said
  - 08 Dec 2015
    12:45 am
Child birth is a hard but wonderful life event. Be it c section, natural, VBAC, with drugs, without, there is no one size fits all, there is no “normal” so what is the hardest thing for one person might seem easy for another . Making comparisons never works

- - mom80542 said
  - 07 Dec 2015
    5:36 pm
I was quite upset when I was told I had to be admitted for a planned C Section due to the type of breach – but reading this article – maybe it was a good thing. However, I still feel I missed out on a beautiful experience. But I have one healthy and happy little girl and that is the most important thing

- - mom165081 said
  - 07 Dec 2015
    10:47 am
No 2 people are the same, and injuries are the same. Modern medical advances and hospital births have reduced our awareness of the impact birth has on mothers and babies. Childbirth used to be known as one of the riskiest things you can do – many people died during childbirth, and around the world many still do. This kind of article is well overdue. Childbirth is not a broken bone and yet people talk about the enduring odd pain of a broken bone years afterwards – no one ever suggests this unusual.