Swimming During Pregnancy

If you are a fitness freak then pregnancy should not be an excuse for you to discontinue your exercise routine. Ofcourse, never get into any exercise routine during pregnancy without consulting with your doctor. Off many known forms of prenatal exercises, swimming is one of the most recommended one during pregnancy. If you are already a swimmer and your health care professional has given you a green signal then you can start swimming right from day one of pregnancy through last day of pregnancy. If you are planning to learn swimming during pregnancy then you might as well want to hold on or act per your doctor’s advise.

While swimming can be a welcome relief from your aches and pains during pregnancy, always make sure you listen to your body and never over exert your self. Swimming while pregnant has some great benefits through various stages of pregnancy.

Benefits of Swimming

• Those extra pounds can make you feel heavy to do other exercises but since you weigh one tenth in water of what you weigh on land, you will feel relaxed in pool.
• Swimming can be an excellent option for the expected 30 minutes of prenatal exercise. Other forms of water exercise is aqua aerobics. This can also be a great way to have fun with fellow pregnant women.
• Pregnant women might find morning sickness in their first trimester as a hiccup to do swimming but then benefits of swimming also include relief from nausea
• Swimming is an excellent exercise to build a good muscle tone and help with better labor and birthing experience.
• Swimming also helps build endurance, stay cool, promote good sleep, improve circulation and reduce swelling and water retention.
• Chlorinated pools are not harmful for you or your baby. Avoid hot water pools.

Always start slow and do no exceed a swim session exceeding 30 minutes

Choosing the right swimming stroke is important during pregnancy. Breast stroke is recommended since it keeps your head above water and is less strenuous. While front crawl is a recommended stroke in third trimester, it definitely requires more energy and should be done with caution.

When should you stop swimming or give second thoughts on this exercise?

• If you are dealing with symphysis pubis dysfunction then the resulting misalignment of pelvic bones can be painful. While you can still continue to swim, the pelvic pain will not give you any pleasure.
• If you start getting cramps or aches in your abdomen or back you should stop swimming immediately.
• If you feel dizzy or exhausted, these are again warning signs that tel you to stop swimming immediately.

Apart from swimming, aerobic exercise, prenatal yoga and walking are other forms of exercises that pregnant women should include in their routine to stay fit, healthy and positive. The key is to always keep your health information at the back of your mind and listen to your body  when it says “enough”. Enjoy pregnancy and have fun swimming during pregnancy!

Also read: Safe Prenatal Exercises During Pregnancy: Avoiding Physical Exertion