Benefits Of Swimming During Pregnancy
Swimming during pregnancy is especially suitable for future moms. If you are waiting for the baby to arrive, you should bear in mind that it is an aerobic exercise that you can do from the third to the ninth month of pregnancy.
Unlike other heavier and more exhausting sports , swimming is a light exercise that is conducive to doing it during pregnancy. Future mothers can swim from the first trimester of pregnancy, obviously after medical checks that ensure the complete health of the child and the mother.
6 Benefits of swimming during pregnancy
Here are 6 benefits of swimming for future moms:
1.- Reduces back pain
It is a sport that involves a significant reduction of the child’s weight on the mother’s spine. During water activities, be it swimming or aquagym, the body is not subject to gravity and is supported by the water.
This allows for movements without bearing weight on the spine or joints. In this type of training, the joints are not overloaded and this is beneficial especially in cases of overweight and obesity.
2.- Body benefits
Swimming, practiced regularly and in moderation, is an activity that allows you to burn calories. In addition, it helps a lot to promote the relaxation of the body and, at the same time, tones and slims the figure.
Swimming during pregnancy makes it easier to shed the extra pounds that are gained during pregnancy and helps improve muscle tone.
3.- Relieves stress and contractures
The constant massage of the water allows future moms to relieve stress and muscle contractures that accompany the gestation period.
You must bear in mind that, during pregnancy, the accumulation of fluids, especially in the lower extremities, favors stagnation and the consequent swelling. For example, it occurs in the ankles.
In water, you float and weigh a tenth of what you weigh on land. This fact produces a relief in the pressure of the lower and upper limbs.
Also, swimming is a very relaxing activity that allows you to stretch your arms and legs and relieve muscle tension.
“Feeling fat lasts nine months, but the joy of becoming a mother lasts forever”
–Nikki Dalton–
4.- You will feel lighter
The expectant mother who chooses to go swimming in the pool during the nine months of pregnancy helps her body feel better. This must be done consciously and under the strict control and advice of the physician.
Among other things, swimming helps the expectant mother to deflate, promotes diuresis and makes them feel lighter.
Swimming therefore enables pregnant moms to quickly alleviate all these generalized disorders and enables them to achieve a good level of physical well-being.
5.- Psychological benefits
Future mothers who decide to swim during pregnancy will also benefit psychologically; This activity allows you to relieve stress and tension and disconnect from everyday problems. Therefore, it helps to ensure physical and mental well-being.
6.- Water relieves swelling
Your feet and ankles tend to swell when you are pregnant due to the famous fluid retention. When you swim with your limbs immersed, fluids are pushed back into the kidneys. Later, thus, they are expelled through the urine.
Likewise, swimming also improves the body’s blood circulation. All of these consequences allow the feet and ankles to eliminate most of the fluids.
The most suitable swimming styles for pregnant women
Certainly, the breaststroke style is the most suitable for pregnant women, since it does not require a rotation of the torso and does not involve considerable efforts.
In pregnancy, the spine and pelvis tend to tilt forward. Therefore, bracing helps to strengthen all the muscles of the back and relax.
Another very suitable method for pregnant women is the back style. This does not pose any risk to the baby and helps relieve muscle aches that tend to accumulate.
Finally, it is important to underline that, before practicing swimming during pregnancy, it is essential that you consult with your primary care doctor and your trusted gynecologist. In this way, any problem that arises as a result of sports practice is avoided.
