A step forward
Alysia Montano definitely took a risk by competing in a track and field event while being so close to giving birth (‘US runner competes while 34 weeks pregnant,’ Gulf News, June 28). Despite speculations, at the end of the day in my opinion, Montano is a trained athlete who knows all about risks and decisions.
I believe that if Montano had chosen to run while being pregnant, then it was a decision that she was sure of. Each mother and parent has different perspectives and outlooks with regards to their child’s upbringing and Montano’s was justified.
What Montano did definitely symbolised that women can be fit while pregnant, continue their career and pursue having a family. More importantly, Montano’s message was that of balance. It showed that she could balance her life, while being pregnant she could also be an athlete.
By taking this extra step forward, which might be negative in the eyes of some, Montano is only showing the world that it’s best to move forward with risks, balance and new ideas than to move backwards just to be safe and secure.
By Ms Simran Vedvyas
Dubai
Being yourself
This is a fit and well trained body we are talking about. The risk of falling while walking to any other pregnant woman is equal to her risk of falling while running.
Clearly, her message is lost. Pregnancy is not a disease. I lived a normal life and ran around as usual while pregnant, which half the people didn’t get. What is more dangerous is a mother to not be her natural self and harm herself mentally.
From Ms Audrey Fonseca
Dubai
Not inspirational
It’s really weird that a runner does this to her baby. In my opinion, what she said is wrong. Apart from being a runner, she is a woman and she can’t say her baby is fine. We have to get the opinions of experts and doctors about this serious matter. She is telling the public that women can be fit while pregnant and she is not talking about the baby.
I wish women will not take it as an inspiration.
From Mr Shaheed
UAE
Full name withheld by request
A risk
She is putting her baby’s and her life at risk. It is not a good thing that she has done. As a woman, I think it is, but I feel that no mother would like to do this type of thing. Bless and help all those babies who are victims of these things.
From Ms Zaynb Ali
UAE
Facebook comment
Not an illness
So many women treat being pregnant like a illness when it’s the most natural thing in the world. You shouldn’t limit yourself. Well done to her!
From Ms Samira Mohammad Seitz
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Not fragile
If she has been training hard all pregnancy she and the baby will be fine, the baby is in no more danger than herself. The image of women being fragile while pregnant is literally what she is running against. Women in regions are still made to carry heavy loads on their heads and backs, plant and plough fields for food while pregnant and no danger comes to her or the baby. What’s the difference?
From Ms Eartha Guerra
UAE
Facebook comment
Not normal
Maybe she is physically fit, but she’s clearly not fit to be a mother! Which normal woman would put their child in danger to prove a point? To me, this is a ridiculous risk.
From Ms Asimah Bee
Dubai
Facebook comment
Standard practice
Working mothers do this anyways. Nobody gives them nine months leave during pregnancy. In developing countries, women have to travel by bus, train, or walk and do all household chores. So there are women out there who do all this and still manage to have healthy babies.
From Ms Ani Rag
UAE
Facebook comment
Could do something else
As a pregnant woman, she could do some other heroic work rather than taking part in a running competition. She is carrying a baby and taking part in a running competition. Doing activities like this while being pregnant is risky to both mother and child.
From Ms Priti MacKinnon
UAE
Do’s and don’ts
No one said being pregnant is a disease. Sure you can be fit and continue a career, but running while 34 weeks pregnant? That’s not right.
From Ms Nene Astrid
UAE
A natural process
Good one. Pregnancy should not halt her career. Corporations need to understand. It’s a natural process not an illness.
From Ms Niketa Amol Kalan
Mumbai, India
Facebook comment
Not healthy
It’s not a fitness issue. Pregnancy is a very vulnerable stage, you are carrying a human being inside you. There are some exercises that are intended for pregnant women, but racing for this running competition is not healthy.
From Ms H. Jeanette
Dubai
Facebook comment
Hats off
Some exercises are really advisable for pregnant women. The baby is safe, I’m sure. I saw a lot of pregnant women that look like patients because they can’t even stand or walk! So, hats off to this mother.
From Ms Jho Dona Selosa
Quezon City, Philippines
Criticism
If this woman is being criticised for her actions, then same goes for all pregnant working women. We should have a general standard for treating our women in society.
From Mr Sulayman Haruna
UAE
Facebook comment
Survived worse
There are so many negative comments. I believe, to each their own. Not everyone can be fed strawberries on a couch during pregnancy - the reproductive system of the human race has survived worse.
From Ms Natasha Boukaram
UAE
Usually pampered
Bravo to this woman. I don’t know medically if it was right or wrong, but it’s true that we pamper pregnant women like they have a serious illness. She is not allowed to do any work and they’re just to lie on the bed and eat, and I think this is the reason that they suffer a lot in the last stage of their pregnancy.
From Mr Haider Vajid
UAE
Facebook comment
Still shaping life
Gulf News in-depth account to remember the start of World War One was remarkable and congratulations are in order (‘Touching every corner of the globe,’ Gulf News, June 27). Unlike the second World War, it was a battle for changing the world order. It essentially rung in the slow death of the colonial powers on a global scale.
This edition is classroom material, compact and clear. It made for excellent reading and reflecting on the past, which still shapes our lives today.
From Mr Ulrich Eckhardt
Dubai
Other improvements needed
Sharjah spends millions of dirhams on heritage development, which is good for tourism (‘Sharjah to rebuild historical Souq Al Shanasiyah,’ Gulf News, June 29). I think along with these projects, they should be developing their infrastructure because it is a basic need of the people living in Sharjah.
There are hundreds of places where pedestrian bridges are mandatory requirement. Many fatal accidents occur almost every month. There is no internal road in Al Majaz, Al Taawun and many other areas.
Many places with bridges and underpasses are required. Day by day, because of rent increasing in Dubai, lot of people migrate to Sharjah and I think conditions are becoming worse. This is my humble request to the higher authorities that they should take serious action.
From Mr Azhar Tufail
Sharjah
Website comment
An indication
All Drivers in the UAE should practice the use of signalling at all times. During road tests, the driver will surely fail if they don’t indicate which way they are turning and when they need their four way flashers.
Unfortunately, when drivers already have their driving license, the necessity of using these indicators seems to be totally forgotten by many. I wish there were stricter rule for drivers who carelessly don’t use their indicators.
Using signal lights properly, especially when one is about to turn left or right is important. It will be beneficial to other drivers to be able to anticipate the upcoming traffic ahead. It is also very helpful for pedestrians to make a decision to cross the road or not. I want drivers to remember that using indicators is very Important and should not be taken lightly.
From Ms Irish
UAE
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