Pregnancy and swimming

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

dorothyrde — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:29:48 GMT

I was not a swimmer when I was pregnant, because I did not learn until my youngest was 7. I did work-out a lot during pregnancy, doing cario work, lifting weights and such. However, rule of thumb with exercise, do what you are doing before(unless it is sky diving or something) and as the pregnancy progresses, modify what you need to as you grow. The kids had a coach who said swimming(she said it became more like floating by the 9th month), was wonderful therapy in the latter stages. There was an article on this website by two friends of mine, Nadine Day and Dr Millie Nelson who covered pregnancy, and miscarriages and swimming and such. I think it would be a good read for you. After several tries, Nadine was pregnant at this time last year(she was so cute at High School sectionals), and delivered a beautiful baby. Despite what people will tell you, pregnancies usually do not miscarry because of some form of exercise, it is because of a problem in the body that is likely beyond your control at that time. It sounds like this time, it is not your issue, and you will be fine.

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:31:45 GMT

Hello I am 27 weeks along with first baby. I have swam the entire pregnancy-but have learned alot too. First of all, my doctors don't know much about competitive swimming and how swimmers train. They just don't. I decided, because I had two previous miscarriages, that I was going to look at the nine months as a maintenance time and not a performance improving time. The first trimester, I kept my heart rate under 140. I did this b/c of my age and miscarriage risk, not b/c of anything else. I know swimmers who swam "as normal" and didn't change a thing. Also, I couldn't do fly and still can't ( I am 400 IM swimmer). I had too much nausea, and then too much cramping to swim correctly, so I just do one arm. My legs cramp easily now, and My stomach cramps as well. I drink lots of water, and have switched to more pulling and fin kicking which has lessened the cramping. My weights and dryland were reduced to 50% of what i did before. Remember, you can train like crazy after a healthy delivery. I am still doing flip turns, but notice my breastroke kick is "too loose" from ligament changes-so I have to be careful. To be honest, I am NOT comfortable swimming b/c my body has changed and feels awkward-thus, my technique is off as well. hope this helps

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

orca1946 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:19:30 GMT

Why would you stop working out at this time? It is good for both of you. Listen to your body & enjoy. A lady that was 7 mos finally slowed down to our lane's pace!!My wife ran thru all 9 mos. WOW - she weighed almost as much as me!!

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Karen Duggan — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:45:03 GMT

Thanks Anna Lea :) I thought it was in cyber Heaven!

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:07:52 GMT

Much thanks for all the encouragement and great posts - you are all inspirational to me!

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:05:09 GMT

Congratulations!!!!! How exciting!! I'm yet another mommy who has kept swimming through pregnancy (actually, one of my pregnancies is what brought me back to swimming--I needed a low impact way to stay fit). Anyways, it sounds like you are taking a sensible approach to all this. Just remember to stay well-hydrated. When the time comes, I just bet you will breeze through labor & delivery!

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:55:25 GMT

I'm so sorry about your previous miscarriages, but glad to hear that you saw a heartbeat on this bambino! Congrats! Do what feels best and right for you. As the belly grows, you will certainly know when to modify what activities you are doing. Good luck to you - happy laps!

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:49:12 GMT

Thought I would log back in and give a wee update on my pregnancy and swimming. Well, I never got to the end of the first trimester, miscarrying once more. That's my second (blighted ovum by week 11) miscarriage in 9 months ! However, had brilliant news today with my scan since getting pregnant once more and I am properly pregnant this time and could see a little spec on the screen with heart beat! :cheerleader: :bliss::bump: I was told by almost everyone in my family to "stop the swimming" as if it might be the cause of previous miscarriages! But if you are like me, it's hard to 'stop' completely - I'm a former athlete and that's tough and even family members find it a hard thing to sort of understand and they get annoyed and upset as if I'm some kind of fanatic - which I'm not. However, to please all and give myself the best chance, I'm swimming very very easily x 2 a week and do x 2 walking. That's all I will allow myself to do (although I sort of know I could do more). Gynae said it must be very light swimming and NO flip turns or fly and NO JOGGING. - so I am doing what I'm told and finding a balance even if it is in 'granny gear'! Will be back to update how I got on with the swimming this trimester.

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:22:06 GMT

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. Karen's "pregnant thread" is here: Karen's pregnant blog - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Karen Duggan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:37:36 GMT

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.

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

swimshark — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:41:10 GMT

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:40:00 GMT

Thanks for all your replies. It is great to know there are other women out there who have remained swimming and in good form throughout their pregnancies. Actually it's inspiring to read !! - I will be taking every week as it comes and listen to my body at all times - it's actually a good opportunity to work on stroke technique and really get into the other strokes and do drill work etc. Really looking forward to my pregnancy and will post back here after first trimester to let you know how I get on. Yes, after I posted yesterday, I realised there were some other posts on this forum relating to my questions - well I'm new to navigating the site and didn't see them...This is a great forum btw and much more informative than our UK one if I may say so. Happy maternity swimming!

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:10:51 GMT

Thanks for your time.... Congratulations. You might find this thread interesting, along with some helpful links. forums.usms.org/showthread.php

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Former Member — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:24:44 GMT

Okay this is embarrassing ... but I'll fess up ... I swam the 1 hour postal last January in the lane next to a woman who was 8 months pregnant. She was faster than me. :blush: But it kept me going. When I thought, ughhhh ... I'd look over to see how the "baby" was doing. I had to keep going. She had problems with cramps in her calves toward the end of the hour, but otherwise, she did fine. I remember the advice than Allen referred to -- continue what you were doing before ... just don't increase the exertion. Thing is ... during the 2nd month :bed:I slept huge lots. The vitamins helped once I started those. Congrats, Kathy

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

swimshark — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:08:05 GMT

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.

RE: Pregnancy and swimming

Allen Stark — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:57:00 GMT

My wife swam throughout all three of her pregnancies.During the 2nd she was swimming 4000/day 5x/wk until shortly before delivery.She did flips until "the tummy" wouldn't allow it.It is my understanding that you are OK continuing whatever you were doing before pregnancy,but don't increase exertion.As to the chlorine problem,I'd be stunned if the risk/benefit ratio wasn't strongly in favor of swimming vs not.