Pregnancy can tire you out and you may swim at a slower pace than usual or take more breaks. Rather than pushing yourself, really pay attention to how you feel and adjust as necessary.
If you are familiar with a variety of strokes, try them out and see what feels best. If butterfly is your favorite stroke, you may find that a nice, easy breaststroke suites you better for now. You also may want to drop the flip turns and instead just touch the wall and turn around with your head above water. Every pregnancy is different, though; and if you feel great swimming at top speed, there is no reason not to, as long as your doctor agrees. If you haven't swum athletically before, don't jump into this too fast.
As a rule, starting new types of exercise while pregnant should be done with caution. It is often recommended to stick with workouts that you have done before. That being said, you can always just swim for fun or even just walk and move around in the water. You will still get the benefits of feeling weightless and any movement while immersed in water will work all of your muscles.
Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Evan Secor W. Water-based interventions for schistosomiasis control.
Pathog Glob Health. Unavoidable risks: Local perspectives on water contact behavior and implications for schistosomiasis control in an agricultural region of northern Senegal.
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Swimming can be a welcome reprieve for pregnancy aches and pains. Here are the benefits, along with safety tips and suggested swim workouts. Luckily, there's a wide assortment of great, stylish, and affordable pregnancy swimwear to choose from. The best maternity swimsuits work with your changing shape. One-pieces typically have extra material in the middle to accommodate your growing bump. If you want more coverage, swim skirts and maternity rash guards will do the trick. If you want less coverage and are ready to show off your bump, go for a maternity tankini or bikini.
If you have the energy, swimming first thing in the morning may prevent nausea and energize you for the rest of the day. Use a kickboard, noodle, or another type of pool equipment to vary your workout and keep it fun. If the smell of chlorine triggers nausea or causes skin or eye discomfort, see if there's a saltwater pool in your area.
If you want to swim in a local body of water like an ocean, lake, or pond, check your healthcare provider first. There are some germs and bacteria that live in open bodies of water that can cause illness. As your pregnancy progresses and you grow larger, you won't need to cut down on swimming because it's such a gentle activity for expectant moms. Do some gentle stretching beforehand, do a few warm-up and cool down laps, and don't overexert.
You'll learn how to work out at the appropriate intensity by listening to your body. The water's buoyancy also reduces the effects of gravity on your body, which is a welcome relief as your belly grows. You may feel more graceful and comfortable in the water than you do on land. If floating around on the kickboard or slowly swimming laps starts to get boring, try an aqua aerobics class, a popular choice with many moms-to-be.
Comfort is key during the last weeks of pregnancy, so try different strokes to see which ones feel most comfortable. If you have sore or tight muscles, try walking in the shallow end of the pool instead of swimming.
Move your arms through the water as you walk for more resistance. If you feel tired, use a paddle board to support your upper body, and take breaks as needed. Be extra careful when getting out of the pool, and wear nonslip footwear for walking on wet surfaces.
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