Is swimming safe during pregnancy?

Every pregnant mother-to-be would want the best for their unborn baby. Keeping fit and healthy during pregnancy is one of the things that we, as mothers can do. When you are carrying extra kilos weight of baby, I know, the last thing you would be in the mood for is exercise. However, out of all the exercises, I find that swimming is the easiest to do during pregnancy. In a pool, you would weigh just a tenth of what you weigh on land. This means that you will feel lighter and more limber. However, the question is, is swimming safe during pregnancy?




A lot of studies had shown that it is totally safe to swim during pregnancy as long as you do not overdo it. Swim at your own comfortable pace. Monitor your heart rate as pregnant mother tends to get out of breath pretty easily especially if you do not exercise often before pregnant. It is advised to stretch and warm up your whole body first before getting into the pool to prevent any muscle strain. Go to at least a guarded pool or get a company for just in case there is any emergency, there is a person there to help.

It is very common for a pregnant mother to ask this question as well. Are the chemicals in the swimming pool (i.e. chlorine) harmful to both mother and unborn baby? A lot of studies had shown that the level of chlorine in pool is safe as long as the pool is properly chlorinated and maintained. There is no evidence that swimming in a properly chlorinated pool is a safety concern during pregnancy. Moreover, chlorine is used as disinfectant to kill bacteria in pool that can be hazardous to human. Thus, it has higher risk swimming in an unchlorinated pool since you can get an infection that could be harmful to your pregnancy.

In fact, swimming while pregnant might be the perfect exercise for expecting mothers, offering not only the benefits of exercise but also relief from a number of common pregnancy aches such as tired muscles and joints. Some other benefits of swimming include:
- relieves ankle and foot swelling as swimming helps to push body fluid from your tissues back to your veins.
- keeps you cool especially when your sweat glands are on overdrive during pregnancy.
- improves labour and delivery experience by maintaining muscle tone and increasing endurance.
- helps you utilise oxygen which is vital for both mother and baby.

Some precautions that you need to take note while swimming during pregnancy:
- do not use hot tub as overheating can slow down the development and growth of baby and increase the risk for miscarriage. 
- swim in properly chlorinated pool. As mentioned above, chlorine disinfect pool by killing bacteria that can be harmful to both mother and baby.
- step into the pool slowly as baby isn't able to handle the sudden change in altitudes under the pressure of water.
- do not hold your breath as baby needs oxygen as well. Be sure to keep your breathing steady and continuous while swimming.
- walk around the pool side carefully especially on slippery surfaces.
- stay hydrated. While you will not feel like you are sweating while swimming, you still do sweat when you swim. Drink a glass of water before and after swimming.

Regardless of your pre-pregnancy fitness level, swimming can be hard work during pregnancy. This means it's perfectly normal to experience some aches and pains, here and there as you swim with your baby belly. Ultimately, you are the best judge of your own limits. Stop immediately if you feel any sharp pain, shortness of breath, giddiness, vaginal bleeding or anything else that tells you as not quite right and contact your practitioner.

That said, I advice that you check with your gynae first before beginning or continuing any sort of exercise program.

Stay fit and healthy during pregnancy!