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.
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Former Member
Hmmm definitely sounds odd. I'm no breaststroker, but still swam plenty through both my pregnancies.
Late in pregnancy the cartilage of the joints soften to make it easier to expand the pelvis.
I remember reading that breaststroke can actually help this expansion.
As for dilation - well my 1st baby was fully dilated around 6 hours after I realised I was in labour, so no problem there!
Hmmm definitely sounds odd. I'm no breaststroker, but still swam plenty through both my pregnancies.
Late in pregnancy the cartilage of the joints soften to make it easier to expand the pelvis.
I remember reading that breaststroke can actually help this expansion.
As for dilation - well my 1st baby was fully dilated around 6 hours after I realised I was in labour, so no problem there!
