It is important to keep moving during your pregnancy. Pregnancy swimming with lifeguard classes near me is the ideal way to work on your fitness. What exactly is pregnancy swimming and what are its benefits?
What is pregnancy swimming
Pregnancy swimming is a special swimming lesson for pregnant women. It is not intended for learning how to swim, but to keep moving during your pregnancy. You work in a swimming pool in a group on your fitness and muscle strength.
During the lesson, various floating, swimming and relaxation exercises are discussed. An expert instructor guides you through the exercises. The lesson lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. In some pools, your partner is also welcome to join the class
What are the benefits of pregnancy swimming?
- Your body changes a lot during your pregnancy. You gain weight and may feel less mobile as a result. You won’t notice this in the water. You just feel weightless. However, pregnancy swimming has even more benefits:
- You work on your fitness and muscle strength. Swimming is good for your stamina and strengthens your muscles. This comes in handy during childbirth. The recovery after childbirth often goes faster with a fit body.
- It is relaxing. Pregnancy swimming is often done in heated water (30 to 33 degrees). This allows you to relax well. The warm water also improves blood circulation. This helps against leg cramps and fluid retention.
- It can help with nausea. Worried about nausea getting in the way while swimming? Many pregnant women notice that they feel less nauseous after swimming. Swimming in cold water in particular would reduce nausea.
- It’s good for your baby. Research shows that exercise during pregnancy has a positive effect on the brain development of your little one. Substances that you release during exercise end up in your baby’s blood. These give his mental development a boost.
- You can do it throughout your pregnancy. Some sports, such as judo and hockey, are best avoided during your pregnancy. Other sports, such as running, are sometimes difficult to practice in the last trimester. However, you can swim throughout your pregnancy. Even when the last stretch has arrived, you can enter the water, unless your waters have broken. Then this is not wise.
- It can relieve pain. Do you suffer from back pain during your pregnancy? Research has shown that swimming can reduce this pain. You also suffer less from pelvic complaints while swimming, because you are carried by the water.
- You meet other mothers-to-be. Maternity swimming does not only have physical benefits. It is also a way to meet other pregnant women and exchange experiences and tips.
- It is less prone to injury. Because the water supports your body, your back, hips, pelvis and knees are less stressed. The risk of injury is therefore smaller than with many other sports
When did pregnancy swim start?
Swimming during pregnancy
You can practice pregnancy swimming throughout your pregnancy. You decide at which stage of the pregnancy you start. Many women start when they are about 12 weeks pregnant. As long as you feel well, you can continue to swim until delivery.
Swimming after childbirth
Swimming is a good way to get fit again after giving birth. You can usually resume various sports after six weeks, including swimming. Listen carefully to your body and build it up slowly. Not sure if you’re ready to dive back into the water? Then contact your midwife.
Is your baby 3 months old? Then you can go baby swimming with him. This is good for the development of your little one and promotes the bond between you and your child in a relaxed way.
What should you avoid?
Swimming is a safe sport during your pregnancy. The chance of injury is small and your baby is well protected in the womb. However, it is good to avoid the following during your pregnancy.
Pregnancy complaints and swimming
Do you suffer from vaginal bleeding, or have your waters broken? Then don’t go swimming. The risk of infections is then greater. Bacteria in the pool water can get into your uterus more easily. Do you have other complaints and are you unsure whether swimming is safe? Then contact your midwife.
Pool available for pregnant
There are some pools available. After an hour of swimming, it is nice to recover. Did you regularly go to the sauna before your pregnancy and have you passed the first trimester? However, do not opt for the hottest and limit the time you spend in them. Then you better not go. Your pregnancy is not the best time to start this. It is also better to avoid the in the last four to six weeks of your pregnancy.
Slides and pregnant
During a visit to the pool, it may be tempting to take a trip down the slide. Still, it is better to skip steep and crowded slides during your pregnancy. A collision or a hard blow to the water can be dangerous for you and your baby.
