Pregnancy is when you need to take great care of yourself and your body, especially for the baby you will give birth to. But pregnancy is not equal to sedentary life. It will help if you move so that the soreness of your muscles will go away and you feel good.
For this purpose, many women choose different ways to work out their bodies during pregnancy, such as walking, aerobics classes, and yoga two or three times a week. These are all acceptable forms of exercise for moms-to-be, but you may ask, is swimming safe during pregnancy?
Yes. It is secure, and swimming is one of the best options during pregnancy. Of course, if you follow certain precautions.
Swimming offers many benefits for the pregnant mom's body. It is a low-impact exercise, meaning it does not put pressure on your body, provided that you already know how to swim. Therefore, pregnancy is not a suitable time to learn how to swim at the first point.
Also, due to the increasing body temperature in pregnant moms, floating in the pool water is a perfect way for a natural cooldown.
Now that it is summer and the hot season has arrived, expectant mothers are among the regular visitors to community pools to cool themselves down by swimming. This article will explain the benefits of swimming for pregnant women, what you should pay attention to while swimming, and how to swim.
Swimming in Each Trimester
The answer to the question »Can you go swimming while pregnant?« is yes, swimming is Ok for most women as an exercise during pregnancy. But your first trimester of pregnancy may not be the optimum period to start swimming again. Most women are affected by daily hurdles like morning sickness, tiredness, and low energy. This condition will not let them set foot out of their houses, let alone go to the swimming pool.
Or, even if you go, you may feel sickness or nausea inside the pool. So wait until the first trimester should pass.
When you enter the second trimester, the morning sickness is probably gone, and you can dedicate some time (up to 30 minutes) to swimming or any other exercise during the week. The third trimester is the best time you can imagine to try swimming. Your belly bump has fully grown, and swimming feels so good to relieve some aches and pains in your lower back and pelvis area. In fact, you can be sure it helps you stay healthy.
Can a Pregnant Woman Swim in a Chlorine Pool? The Extra Benefits
Compared to others, pregnant women get even more benefits from swimming. Swimming lowers your risk of chronic diseases, boosts self-confidence, improves blood flow, and relieves muscle pain or painful joints.
Swimming has extra benefits for pregnant moms, such as fleeing buoyancy, reducing the pressure on the back and pelvis, naturally cooling down your body, and removing pregnancy swelling.
Swimming during pregnancy is one of the best ways to strain and relax. But pregnant women often have two main concerns regarding using public pools that make them doubt the benefits of swim sessions.
These concerns are chlorine in pool water and possible dangers imposed by it on the fetus. The other is the issue of public hygiene in the pool.
We know chlorine kills bacteria and pathogens that may exist in the pool. Some people think getting in contact with this chemical substance may cause congenital disabilities. Still, studies have not shown a link between chlorine levels in the water and danger for babies.
However, experts emphasize that women should avoid excessive exposure to chlorine.
Also, regarding public hygiene in swimming pools, it is better to start swimming after the first trimester of pregnancy. In the first trimester, the immune system of the mother's body is weaker and more susceptible to contracting illnesses.
What Tips Should you Keep in Mind for Swimming during Pregnancy?
Now that you know swimming is safe for the mother and baby, keep these things in mind:
- Be sure to use only sanitary and chlorinated pools. You may ask whether pregnant women can swim in open bodies of water like lakes or oceans. Although you can, it is better not to because these bodies of water do not have any bacteria or pathogen regulating elements. Altogether, choose an area of the pool that is safe.
- Listen to your body when swimming. If you feel tired, slow down and don't push yourself. If you feel pain in a part of your body, change your position in the water and let your body get comfortable.
- Your whole body is in water, but this is not a reason to avoid drinking water at intervals. Be sure to have a bottle or thermos of water in your pool bag and drink water to keep your body hydrated.
- Avoid swimming in hot water (even hot tubs or showers) because it raises your body temperature. The body temperature of pregnant mothers should not rise above 102.2°F (39°C).
The first trimester of pregnancy, when your baby grows inside you, is a critical time, and exposure to high water temperature may cause birth abnormalities or potential miscarriage.
- Choose that stroke for swimming that best matches your physical condition. It can be any strokes-like dog paddle, frog kicks, breaststroke, or backstroke.
- Also, avoid diving because diving, especially at deeper underwater levels, causes extra pressure on your baby and can stress out your baby.
Is there any condition that stops you from swimming? In other words, for whom is swimming not suitable?
While most pregnant women enjoy swimming and have no particular problem, swimming may not be a good idea for those with a specific health condition.
Such conditions include vaginal bleeding or epilepsy. Therefore, you should first discuss this issue with your doctor. In these cases, swimming may not help you and even put you at additional risks.
Conclusion
Swimming during pregnancy is one of the best ways for you to both do some exercise and relax. It is also an excellent way to keep yourself and your baby calm and enjoy the feeling of floating in the water. It will naturally reduce pain in the lower back and pelvis areas.
To this end, you must already be a swimmer, have no medical condition that prohibits you from swimming, and choose a swimming pool with good hygiene.
Pay attention to the cautions provided in this article; you can be sure that you will enjoy swimming, especially in hot summer weather.
In addition, attending public pools is a way to maintain your social connection with friends and your community. Be sure your belly bump will make you look much cuter in your pregnancy swimsuit.