I am pregnant in my first week!!!...but got questions as I am a keen masters swimmer and now have to go it alone for 9 months, as clubs make me naturally competitive and anti-natal classes for now are a wee bit slower than what I'd really wish to go - here my questions:
1. I can't find any info on the internet on whether or not doing a flip turn whilst being in the early stages of pregnancy would pose a risk to the fetus? How long into pregnancy did you go if you were continuing doing flips - just out of interest!?...
2. Also, does holding your breath on the flip (like going anaerobic for that short period) - is this a risk too? I've just improved massively on my turns with being able to hold my breath longer for the turn...so a bit of a shame if I have to go back to 'opens', - but not if it poses a risk to my baby!
3. I know that pregnant women should take it easy and NOT get 'out of breath'. I want to continue my swimming up to 3km or so gently in freestyle to maintain my fitness level. Obviously keeping well hydrated is number one, but I always have a big bottle of water/energy drink with me at all swims no matter what and hydrate before and after any workout.
4. I read that swimming pool environments, i.e: chlorine etc. could be a negative risk to the developing fetus and could cause miscarriage. Have any of you thought the same, what is your view on this - did it put you off? I think keeping swimming is better than NOT - hec everything around us poses a risk to the growing baby and I would be rather unhappy if I had to give up swimming completely - I love it to bits!!
Thanks for your time....
I swam through my pregnancy with no issues other than normal pregnancy issues. As for flip turns, I did them as long as my belly allowed but when my stomach wasn't right (I had morning sickness through month 6) I would do open turns. I have not heard any issues relating to chlorine and miscarriage. Do watch your heart rate. If you feel too out of breath, take it easy and let your heart rate go down a bit. Don't do hypoxic at all. Good luck and enjoy.
I swam through my pregnancy with no issues other than normal pregnancy issues. As for flip turns, I did them as long as my belly allowed but when my stomach wasn't right (I had morning sickness through month 6) I would do open turns. I have not heard any issues relating to chlorine and miscarriage. Do watch your heart rate. If you feel too out of breath, take it easy and let your heart rate go down a bit. Don't do hypoxic at all. Good luck and enjoy.