Padden Provides Peace for the Pregnant

Lake Padden offers an ideal trail not just for runners and bikers but for mothers-to-be as well.

It is springtime at Lake Padden. Fishermen span the shoreline, kids get together to play a game of football, runners lap the trail, and the contrasting colors of lifejackets with kayaks add color to the lake. For sister-in-law Bonnie and Lina Philbrick, it’s just another day of walking for them. Except this time, Bonnie will be walking on the day her first baby is to be due. “I think this is the pregnancy secret of Bellingham,” Bonnie Philbrick said as she moved to the side of the path to let a group of enthusiastic teenagers race on by.

Babies Prefer Uneven Trails

Trotting ahead on the trail, Lina’s son Lukas greets some ducks and stomps through as many puddles as possible. Lina and Bonnie take turns pushing Lina’s other son Tomas in a stroller as he snoozes for the entire walk. Bonnie says that babies find the bumpiness of the stroller on the rocky trail comforting because it is a similar to what they are used to when they are in the womb.

We were told that we are having a girl but to not be surprised if it came out as a girl…,” Bonnie Philbrick said. “…which is good because I thought I was going to have a boney octopus. That’s what it feels like.”

Benefits for Mother and Child

In conjunction with yoga, Bonnie Philbrick says that walking Lake Padden’s loop trail has been a defining part of her exercise regime while she has been pregnant. “Giving birth is like a marathon,” Lina Philbrick said. “You wouldn’t run a marathon without practicing a little for it first,” Bonnie Philbrick said.

Bonnie Philbrick finds Lake Padden’s trail to be ideal due to its varying changes in levels. The midwives at the Bellingham Birth Center, where she plans give birth to her child, advise her to walk such trails in order to build up her endurance.

Catriona Munro, a midwife at the Bellingham Birth Center, believes that there is a connection between people who are more physically active and having an easier labor process.

“We say 30 to 60 minutes a day, like walking around Lake Padden, so you’re out of breath,” Munro said. “Exercise lowers pregnancy complications, helps the mother’s mood and less aches and pains occur.”

Walks at the park also help with Bonnie Philbrick’s pregnancy induced carpel tunnel which she developed about five months into her pregnancy. She had to stop wearing her ring due to all the swelling that occurred but the walking aids in pushing all the excess fluids around.

Well Being of Walkers

Bonnie Philbrick feels that the trail overall is really safe. She mentioned that one time, an odd man suddenly emerged from the bushes but other than that, she feels there are no safety issues in and around Lake Padden. Several of her friends have volunteered to walk with her since it is a 3 mile trail although she feels that even if she were to be walking alone and something were to happen to her, someone would be close by and be able to get help since the park is always bustling with people.

The distance between Bonnie and Lina’s homes is somewhat significant so they usually chose Lake Padden as a half way spot for their families to meet up. Bonnie anticipates that she will not give birth until next week despite her due date. She says that if she is still pregnant this weekend, she plans on meeting up with the family at Lake Padden for a barbeque and some fishing.

After running through too many puddles, Lina Philbrick stops to take off Lukas’ drenched muddy shoes and replaces them with rain boots so that he may be better equipped for more puddle excursions. Meanwhile, Bonnie Philbrick observes a man calling to his basset hound to hurry up and catch up with him. As the somewhat rotund hound saunters on by, Bonnie Philbrick looks at him and declares, “He looks like me! Good thing I have two legs or else my belly would be dragging on the ground.”