by Maggie Downs posted in Mom Stories

Sometimes being a mom means leaping from a starting block into history.
That's the story for Dana Vollmer, who won a trio of medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio (one gold, one silver, and one bronze), becoming the first American swimming mother to nab gold. And she did it just 17 months after giving birth to her son, Arlen.
But don't think that being in peak athletic shape made pregnancy and labor easy for this 28-year-old, Vollmer spent two months on bedrest during pregnancy, which she described as "miserable" in this NBC profile, and labor was difficult.
Speaking to BabyCenter from Rio, the self-described Momma on a Mission dives deep about her challenges during pregnancy, returning to the pool after giving birth, and how competitive swimming makes her a better mother. Vollmer also recently partnered with the Thank You, Mom Campaign as a Pampers athlete, a natural fit for this on-the-go mom. Dana Vollmer with her mom at P&G House  in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
 
What message do you have for other mothers-to-be who are also going through challenging pregnancies"
I know it?s really scary and you want to read the baby books and do everything right ? but it?s going to be worth it. It can be really hard being on bedrest, but you?re doing the right thing for your kid. In the end nine months is a long time, but it?s also short.
Did being an athlete offer a particular kind of focus that helped you th...