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....
The one thing I learned well is to listen to my body, especially while pregnant. Just do what YOU think is right.
I found as a pregnant swimmer it was ridiculous to keep my HR at 140. I could get up in the 180s and it would still come back down in a minute or so to a much lower level. As long as it came back down and I didn't feel "bad" I just kept doing it. Again, listen to your body.
As for flipturns, I did them until about 8 months with all. My number 3 came 5 weeks early (and spent 2 weeks in the ICN). I remember distinctly with him that two days before he came early I could no longer do flipturns! Nature tells us a lot if we just listen.
Congratulations, and keep posting.
I did have a lengthy blog but I guess it was deleted when they moved all of the blogs to another part of the site.
The one thing I learned well is to listen to my body, especially while pregnant. Just do what YOU think is right.
I found as a pregnant swimmer it was ridiculous to keep my HR at 140. I could get up in the 180s and it would still come back down in a minute or so to a much lower level. As long as it came back down and I didn't feel "bad" I just kept doing it. Again, listen to your body.
As for flipturns, I did them until about 8 months with all. My number 3 came 5 weeks early (and spent 2 weeks in the ICN). I remember distinctly with him that two days before he came early I could no longer do flipturns! Nature tells us a lot if we just listen.
Congratulations, and keep posting.
I did have a lengthy blog but I guess it was deleted when they moved all of the blogs to another part of the site.
