Swimming is a GREAT exercise for “Momma’s to be,” so get out there and FLOAT YOUR BOAT! 😉
Towards the end of my pregnancy, I will say that I did feel a bit like a “boat!” 8 months pregnant in the June heat of Texas, hitting the pool was an absolute must!
Swimming is a great choice of exercise, even if you were not active prior to becoming pregnant.
Relaxin, the hormone that causes laxity of the joints, increases as pregnancy progresses, causing aches, pains and instability. Swimming is a safe and great way to literally “lighten the load” and relieve many of these uncomfortable symptoms!
Benefits of hitting the pool:
* This aerobic exercise helps increase your body’s ability to utilize oxygen, which is very important for you and your baby.
* Swimming is low impact and easy on the joints while still utilizing large muscle groups (arms and legs) and is a great way of strengthening muscles and increasing cardiovascular capacity!
* Swimming improves circulation and builds endurance.
* Swimming reduces swelling and fluid retention. Anything to help with that awful bloat! 😉
* Swimming promotes good sleep. 🙂
* If you swim first thing in the morning, this may help ease fatigue and keep that dreadful morning sickness at bay!
* During pregnancy, the shoulders and spine tend to round forward and the pelvis may tilt out of line. Swimming can help strengthen the muscles and help keep muscular balance.
* Swimming is a great chance to practice Kegels and strengthen that pelvic floor! For example, if you are vertically treading water, perform a Kegel each time you kick and bring your legs back together.
* Swimming not only strengthens the body, it “strengthens the mind” as well. I find swimming very therapeutic and an opportunity to “let it go,” and relax. Swimming is a great opportunity to work on your breath and visualize how amazing of a Momma you will be! 🙂
Hit the pool for 30 minutes and try different positions and strokes that you find comfortable. Try treading water, swimming on front and floating on your back, comfortably kicking arms and legs. Remember, you are still working up a “sweat” even though you may not notice, so keep drinking that water!
Having trouble conceiving and have been told to “tone it down?” Swimming is a great way to modify and decrease the intensity of your routine. When I was struggling with my fertility and was told to cut back on the intensity of my routine, I found swimming such a therapeutic exercise. Not only did it keep my body strong, I used this exercise as a time to de-stress, reflect on how fortunate I was for all that I had at that time in my life and visualized myself getting to a healthy point and getting pregnant! I truly believe that the power of thought is more powerful than we think…
So get out there ladies and “float your boat!”
Kelly, S and O xo
