Swimming and an Exercise Plan
NerdyWord33
Posts: 52 Member
Swimming is highly recommended,but what sort of setting is safe? I worry about the chlorine, chemicals, germs, et cetera. I don't personally own a pool. My only (indoor) option would be a trip to the Y. I'm looking for something to suit me. With all of the cramping I am experiencing at only 9 weeks, I'm hesitant to continue my regular lifting routine. I walk all day at work,so I don't really want to use walking as my primary activity. Thoughts? Suggestions?
0
Replies
-
There is no reason to worry about chlorine or chemicals in public swimming pools. Pregnant women use public swimming pools all the time, myself included. Personally, I have found swimming to be a nice form of exercise for a rest day, but it has tended to make me painfully bloated probably from somehow swallowing air in the act.
Have you spoken to your doctor about your cramping? I would strongly suggest you rethink abandoning weightlifting at this early stage, as there are SO many benefits to continuing your exercise routine throughout pregnancy that will assist in not only your ease of carrying the baby through pregnancy, but also (from what I hear) help enormously during labour. Obviously, you'd want to get this cleared with your doctor first.0 -
I spoke to him during my first visit at 6 weeks. I was worried that my pregnancy was not going to be viable because simple tasks like sweeping and mopping underneath furniture caused me to cramp like crazy. Even tying my shoes was fairly uncomfortable. The ultrasound was fine. I went back last week,and the baby is doing great. I'm still cramping,though not as badly. He said that everything looks perfect,and I should proceed with life as normal. He did suggest lightening the amount of weight that I lift.
0 -
Swimming is great while pregnant. I'm 29 weeks and I've swam laps several times a week since week 13. I have not had any issues with chemicals or getting germs from the Y's indoor pool, but I do immediately shower after with chlorine removing shampoo and bodywash. It has really helped me with soreness because I can safely stretch in the water. Some days I can barely walk to the locker room but after I get out of the pool I feel better for the rest of the day.
I usually only swim breaststroke and backstroke now, I've read online that some women still swim freestyle, but the baby threw off my center of gravity and it makes it harder to time my breath. If you are already experiencing some cramping I wouldn't recommend butterfly at all. Breaststroke is supposed to help you by stretching your lower back which tends to get all compressed during pregnancy.
One thing I had to adjust when getting back into swimming was to pace myself. I have overdone it twice (swimming where my heart rate was at or over 170) and both times I felt pelvic pain afterword. It's worked well for me to stay at around 120-160 during a lap, which is slower than you want to go once warmed up but it's relaxing.
I have trouble with bending too because of where my baby is sitting so it hurts to put on shoes, I got some uggs so I can slip them on easily and that has helped. It was worse earlier on, she's moved a bit in the past few weeks so I'm able to bend over a little easier.
0 -
I do a prenatal swim class and a deep water workout class (an hour for each class) 3x a week.
Swimming is one of the best exercising you can do while pregnant. There's some great prenatal stretches you can do in the water that REALLY help with sciatic pain and such. If there's no classes offered, try googling them and go to town!
If you're a member of the Y, see if they have the prenatal swim class. Sometimes they even have a prenatal yoga... it just depends on what your branch offers.0
This discussion has been closed.