Today while I was swimming a swimming instructor approached me to ask about what a pregnant woman, taking swim instruction, had just told him. I think that I was approached because he knows me and because I'm a woman, thus I should have an opinion on the following.
This woman he is instructing had been told by her OB/GYN that doing breaststroke a lot would excessively strengthen certain muscles (which ones I am not sure) when would then keep her from dilating properly in labor.
This sounded fishy to me, but hey, I'm no expert breaststroker. I am inclined to think that most physical exercise precautions heard from OB/GYN's are overly cautious.
So, breaststroker women, what say you? I would think that it is far fetched that breaststroke could have such an effect, but I'm open to learning.
I have a friend who swam extensively throughout her pregnancy, and she found breaststroke to be uncomfortable toward the end due to the kick, but that was just a comfort thing.
A surprising number of swim coaches don't have a good idea which muscles are used in BR so I doubt her OB/GYN has any idea.It has been nearly 40 yr since I was in medical school so my OB knowledge is out of date,but I don't see how doing BR properly could be a problem in the way mentioned.Late in pregnancy the cartilage of the joints soften to make it easier to expand the pelvis.Pain at the pubic symphysis is common late in pregnancy if a woman walks too much and I suppose swimming BR could also exacerbate this problem,but the bilateral movement of BR would seem to mitigate that.I'd say,if it is uncomfortable don't do it,but it shouldn't affect dilation.
A surprising number of swim coaches don't have a good idea which muscles are used in BR so I doubt her OB/GYN has any idea.It has been nearly 40 yr since I was in medical school so my OB knowledge is out of date,but I don't see how doing BR properly could be a problem in the way mentioned.Late in pregnancy the cartilage of the joints soften to make it easier to expand the pelvis.Pain at the pubic symphysis is common late in pregnancy if a woman walks too much and I suppose swimming BR could also exacerbate this problem,but the bilateral movement of BR would seem to mitigate that.I'd say,if it is uncomfortable don't do it,but it shouldn't affect dilation.
