Is It Ok to Swim While Pregnant?

I did aqua aerobics until the week I delivered (two days before) The only thing I was told was no twisting exercises. I swam too but found it more difficult with my tummy pulling me down.

Sshe should call her dr and verify with the spotting that she can do it though.

Hi!
Congrats on your great news!!! As a former swimmer, high school coach, masters coach and two time mom myself, I can tell you from experience that it is GREAT to swim while pregnant! It's one of the best things you can do... and if you are one of the ladies who gets back problems, it's probably the BEST thing you can do because the water supports your belly and takes all the stress off your body... relaxing... and it feels so wonderful!!! The big thing to remember is that when you do breath control sets, don't go more than 5 or 7 strokes without breathing. Don't do the hypoxic (no breathers) 25's. You're breathing for two and by not breathing, you're depriving your baby of oxygen. So anytime you do those "no breathers", just breathe every 5 or 7 strokes instead. By the way, all four strokes are fine... none will hurt. My weak stroke is breaststroke, and my fellow coaches all said that the loosening of my joints must have been my problem, because my breaststroke improved while pregnant! :)
Hit the pool, sister! Enjoy!!!

just a quick note - nothing is wrong with stretching your arms up and out while you're pregnant. She can reach up and grab things off of the top shelf is she needs to.

I spotted thru all of my pregnancies. It's only a problem if the blood becomes red like a fresh cut, if it's not brownish, then be careful. I got into the pool to cool off and floated around and swam a couple of times, but I did not have long periods of swimming.
W. M

HI CL,

When I was pregnant with my first child I had early spotting. The doctor said I had a tear in one of the linings and not to excercise or overdo it. I did not exercise for the first three months but then started doing light exercise. My daughter was born at the end of September, and as soon as the weather was warm enough I was in the pool. Only thing is I did not stretch my arms out. I used a floating devise that I wrapped my arms around and either just used my legs or pushed the water with my arms from shoulder height down to my waist. I was in the best shape of my life when my daughter was born and had a super easy delivery. I would highly recommend swimming, if her doctor okays it, but of course never overdo it.

I've heard swimming actually recommended very strongly for pregnant women because of the great support offered by the water. She should check with her OB about it though, especially if she's been spotting. All the exercise advice out there suggests that if you spot while doing it, you should stop and whatever you do, remember to take it easy and drink LOTS of water. If she just can't stay out of the water, there may be less strenuous activities she can do that are still satisfying and not potentially dangerous.

I swam every single day I was pregnant, including the day I gave birth. It's probably about the best exercise one can do while preggers. Not only does it stretch/work out every muscle, it encourages controlled breathing and makes you feel light as a beach ball, instead of just round as one!!!

I've always been told swimming is one of the best exercises for a pregnant woman to do. My Dr. even told me to swim, since I was swelling being 9 mos prego in July when it gets 100+ in our area. It helped A LOT with keeping the swelling down and just making me comfy when nothing else could. Maybe she should just "float" and not do any laps or anything like that ;).

Good luck and God bless.

N.

swimming is normally a great non/low impact exercise that is great while pregnant.

However, with your friends issues, she should talk to her doctor about it first. Chances are probably good that he'll say it's ok to swim, but better to check first just to make sure it's not gonna be too strenuous.

CL,

Swimming is great while pregnant. BUT it sounds like your friend has some medical issues right now-- She needs to call her doctor and get specifics from them on what is safe and what isn't safe for her pregnancy. Spotting could be many different things-- she is still very vulnerable in her pregnancy and could be at risk for preterm birth. So I would have her talk to her doctor asap about it.

Good luck,

Molly

Yes it is very good to swim while pregnant, I have seen water aerobics just for pregnant moms. Just make sure you do NOT go into a hot tub, the hot water is bad for you. Congratulations and Good Luck!

I had a high-risk pregnancy and swam every day. Okay, as the bulge grew larger (one would have thought there were at least two in there.), it became more like floating.

It was the best time of the day for me. I felt weightless, light, and free.

s

I loved the pool when I was pregnant with my son - we didn't have AC and I was on my feet alot at work so I got in the pool every evening to cool off and the relief for my poor feet and back was great. I just floated around or did a little back stroke or breast stroke - nothing strenuous.
YOur friend should look in to a prenatal yoga class.