Can pregnant women go to the pool?

Pregnancy is a special period in a woman's life. Every trimester in the body changes occur. Preferences change: in food, smells, the world around. Everything that a woman does during the gestation period should go to the benefit of the growing and developing baby and mother. Active pre-pregnancy women attending gyms and fitness clubs face a problem. They do not have a clear answer - is it possible to engage in a familiar sport, what loads are permissible so as not to harm your new position.

The period, of course, is crucial, but this is not a reason to quit sports training. It is enough to simply slow down the pace and intensity of the loads, and it’s better to switch to calmer, more useful exercises, the effect of which is no less.

Everyone knows that water is a great antidepressant. She relaxes, removes the negative accumulated during the day. And water aerobics lovers will confirm that this is a pleasant and positive activity on the body.

First of all, your desire to visit the pool should be discussed with the leading pregnancy doctor. A couple of decades ago, you could hear the categorical "no!" Today, doctors themselves recommend paying attention to this type of sports, of course, if there are no contraindications directly related to the new interesting position of a woman.

Benefit or harm?

Future mothers are afraid of harming their baby, and this is quite natural. In order to dispel doubts about the benefits of swimming, it is worth considering in detail all the pros and cons, and make the only right decision for yourself.

Pros of visiting the pool for a pregnant woman:

1. During the period of fetal growth, the future mother shifts the center of gravity. The abdomen grows in size, and an attempt to maintain balance gives a strong load on the spine. During the swimming period, the woman is resting, feeling weightless, all the water from the spine is taken to herself by water.
2. When performing active movements, you can get rid of excess water from the body, and this is an important factor for women in a position prone to edema.
3. Water has a resistance. Each movement requires a serious expenditure of energy. In the process of training, the applied efforts are easily transferred, and after it there is a pleasant fatigue and a guaranteed quiet sleep. Women whose weight increases with each trimester and often exceeds the norm, which is not advisable when doing exercises in the water, will be able to get rid of a few extra pounds.
4. In the process of swimming, all muscle groups are involved in the work - this is a good support to the cardiovascular system. As a result, blood flow improves, and this helps to prevent the formation of varicose veins and hypertension.
5. Respiratory function and blood enrichment with oxygen improves, which nourishes all vital organs and tissues. A properly coordinated group in the process of swimming can learn breathing techniques and prepare for the next birth. Expectant mothers are advised to dive. Holding your breath underwater is a useful exercise for pregnant women.
6. Systematic swimming improves mood, calms, leads to a harmonious state, which is very important in this period for the pregnant woman and the embryo.
7. Water procedures are an effective way to prevent the risk of contracting infectious colds.

Cons and harm from visiting the pool
There are not many, but they must be reckoned with. Given that for nine months pregnant women experience anxiety, the choice of sports direction should be conscious, clear and not in doubt.

Possible reason for refusing classes:

1. Periodically added for cleaning to the pool of bleach. Its sufficiently high content in water negatively affects the condition of the skin, and it can also cause an allergic reaction (rashes, itching). Chlorine irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which should also be considered by a woman during the period of gestation.
2. There is an opinion that swimming can not only strengthen the shoulder muscles, but also make the shoulders wider and more massive. Rather, it is inherent in professional sports, where athletes engage in intensively and more than 4 hours a day.
3. The pool is a traumatic place. Inconvenient shoes, slippery floors and the fragile condition of women require increased attention and caution.

Contraindications

In order not to suffer from guesses - it is possible or impossible to join the ranks of the floating, it is better to get the advice and recommendations of a doctor. The doctor knows better the characteristics of the body and the possible concomitant diseases of his ward. He will take into account all the nuances of the anamnesis and issue his professional verdict.

It is strictly forbidden to visit the pool:

• with increased tone of the uterus, bleeding;
• excessive discharge;
• threatened miscarriage;
• pain
• severe toxicosis;
• infectious ailments;
• genital infections
• individual susceptibility to bleach;
• with exacerbation of chronic diseases.

Pressure drops, migraines, headaches, abdominal discomfort, severe toxicosis, are also a reason for postponing classes for a more favorable period.

Tips for women

Having made the final decision regarding visiting the pool, in order to avoid possible problems it is worth listening to the following recommendations:

1. It should not be forgotten that the purpose of exercises in water is healing, strengthening the immunity of mother and baby, and not a struggle for the championship cup. Classes should be of moderate intensity so as not to harm.
2. Particular attention should be paid to breathing techniques, as they will come in handy during labor.
3. Exercises should be feasible, leisurely. Climb distances slowly, preferring short distances.
4. Limit the number of walks on wet tiles to a minimum.
5. It is important to remember about chlorine in water. Excessive swimming in the pool can cause an allergic reaction, as well as cause severe toxicosis.

Which pool should I prefer?

In megacities with the choice of institutions there are no problems. Pools differ in size, design, the presence of simulators in the water and the composition of the filled water.

1. In status clubs, instead of ordinary water, you can see sea water, which is produced by adding sea salt to the water. This does not derogate from the beneficial properties of the resulting mixture. Important! Bleach is not added to such pools. Cleaning takes place by electrolysis. Artificial sea water has a positive effect on the nerve endings of the skin and its condition. Salt water pushes the body to the surface, it helps women in a position to perform physical activity. Water makes exercise easier.
2. Pools with ozonation installations. Ozone is a good disinfectant and, in addition to its cleansing function, also has a disinfecting effect. In addition, the fact that a subscription to classes in the pool with this type of cleaning will be expensive, there is a more serious minus. Ozone oxidizes the original pesticides in water, which leads to the formation of a more saturated concentrate of pesticides. So such pools are dangerous to the health of the pregnant woman and the embryo.
3. The bulk of the pools are those that are filled with chlorinated water.

Thanks to innovative ideas, disinfection is gaining momentum by ultraviolet radiation, ultrasound, and electromagnetic pulses. The use of such devices helps to purify water from chlorine, without compromising the quality of treatment, and reducing its concentration.

When choosing a pool, you need to find out whether it is suitable for pregnant women, how it is equipped, and whether there is a trainer-instructor with a high level of professionalism.

Features to consider when choosing a pool:

• Water purification methods.
• Having a group for pregnant women with a professional trainer.
• Safety floors, the presence of handrails.
• Water temperature - +28, 31 degrees.
• The closest location to the house.

What to bring with you in the first lesson:

• Closed swimsuit, hat.
• Rubber Shoes.
• Soap, washcloth, shampoo.
• Nourishing body cream.
• Drinking water.
• Hair dryer.
• A medical certificate from a pregnant woman.
• Exchange card - from the 30th week.

Undoubtedly, swimming is the best sport for a pregnant woman. Diving underwater and swimming for short distances, water aerobics, are incredibly useful for the female body.

Video: is it possible to swim during pregnancy