Competing/training while pregnant

Hi, I just had number 4 and swam consistently with the first 3. Number 4 was really tough, and I didn't swim much. However at 6 weeks I swam at Nationals, and at 28 weeks I swam in our SCM champs (didn't swim fast, but I swam) with no diving of course. I just listened to my body always. If I felt I was overdoing it I'd take a rest. Do swim and compete if you feel like it (with docs approval of course). Interesting you mentioned breaststroke. With my first, my crotch hurt so bad when I kicked ***, like I was continually pulling muscles- stopped swimming *** for over a year... with the others though I was just fine, and with number 4 actually felt my stroke again! CONGRATULATIONS, and post a blog if you're so inclined!

Congratulations.My wife swam through all 3 of her pregnancies.She seemed to have no problems with free or back,but did change to open turns toward the end.

One of my (former) coaches, Camilla Johansson, swam nearly up to her delivery day, twice. Unfortunately, she's moved to Alabama and not here anymore. Even at her slowest, I think she was still about my speed. The 2nd time I told her that I'll know when she's moving along, since she'll be swimming in the lane with me again. I was able to tell people that I swam in the lane with an olympian.... I found her USMS top 10 times: www.usms.org/.../toptenind.php I think some of these were while she was pregnant....quite an incredible woman and coach.

Last week I was swimming with a woman who was pregnant. I told her that it seems like she has benn pregnant for a really long time. She replied that it had been way too long for her. Today she wasn't at the pool.

Well,I obviously cant add any insight on this subject. However, just wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy. There is a thread on here "Karens Pregnant Blog". That might answer some questions. Congrats again, Greg

My wife swam 4-5 days a week in light masters workouts while pregnant with our first child. She even did a small meet and swam a 50 backstroke in her 2nd trimester. It was rather amusing. Toward the end of her pregnancy, she didn't "workout" per se, she just floundered around and losened up for an hour. John Smith

Congrats swimchick... the main thing that my doctor told me about being pregnant and swimming is to not do anything new or harder than what you are used to doing. Just do your flip turns/underwater pullouts like you usually do, don't push it. Listen to your body, if you feel uncomfortable - lay off a bit. Your doc may eventually tell you to do less as time goes on, but just keep up the good work. I wanted to swim throughout both my pregnancies, but I got so sick I could barely move... so hopefully you will not get sick and be able to exercise for these great 9 months! Congrats again!

Congratulations swimchick! Although I was not a swimmer during my pregnancies, my team has recently had three expectant mommas in the pool, one of whom is now doing an encore. All three were very fit, competitive swimmers before thier pregnancies, so thier experiences may not be typical. All swam with our team practices throughout, moving to slower lanes as needed when feeling tired, or when they got bigger towards the end. I remember hearing them talking about doctor recommendations. They were all told to watch thier heart rates (there was a max heart rate one mentioned, but I can't remember where it was. Maybe your doc could answer this one?). The other caution was about swimming in warm water, but it seemed that that was more applicable to therapy pools or hot tubs. Realizing that you're not sure your doctor understands swimmers, maybe he/she could give you general guidelines for athletes. One would think that target heart rates should be the same for runners, cyclists, or just pre-natal aerobic or yoga. Good luck! Dana

Congratulations, swimchick! I hope you have a comfortable pregnancy and a smooth delivery. Like you, I wanted to continue swimming during my pregnancy, and my doctor was in favor of it. (I was worried b/c this was my first, and I'm over 40--but my doctor had no worries. I even swam a meet when I was 11 weeks; it was, though, a slow go for me.) I found an additional good resource was a book called Exercising Through Your Pregnancy by James F. Clapp III, MD. I found swimming to take the edge off of morning sickness, and it also helped me get through the foggy & sleepy period that comes w/the first trimester. Second trimester was great b/c I felt good, but as I got bigger, I had to modify workouts somewhat. (Open turns, etc.) I found breaststroke to be very difficult as my belly expanded, and I swam mostly freestyle and backstroke. Longer distances became pretty challenging, but I just continued to modify. If the group was doing 200s of something, I did 150s. As the pregnancy went on, I moved to a slower paced lane, but kept swimming. During third trimester, I recall asking my doctor if I could still swim hard (sprints) and he had no problem w/it. He kept reassuring me that swimming would have a big payoff during delivery, and he was right!!! Overall, I felt confident in my doctor's ability to assess my situation, so I felt comfortable swimming. I also know that each situation is different, so I hope the anecdotal info as well as the book give you some guidance. Keep us posted on your progress, and best of luck to you in the coming months!

Congrats! I too swam through 3 pregnancies (though I was doing quite a bit of cross-training as well). I never had problems with flip-turns or pull-outs. I didn't dive but I swam as hard as I felt like swimming. I never really reached a point where I had to cut back (swam right up to delivery date) but I tried to listen to my body. Think that's they key. I did quit running after about 3 months because I felt heavier and don't consider myself a great runner in the first place. What's so nice about being able to keep up your activities is the recovery seems to be speedy and you're back doing your old things much faster (though you are sleep deprived and have to be more creative about finding time to exercise):) I read a good book my first pregnancy that might be useful: Exercising Through Pregnancy by James Clapp. Here's an Amazon link: www.amazon.com/.../1886039593