swimming

[sparkle27]

Hi there,

i was wondering which is the most safest stroke when swimming. I cant find any info about which strokes are best for those in the 2nd trimester. Keep forgetting to ask my doc & midwife about this.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[monnie]

Hey sparkle27,

The only swimming stroke I have heard to avoid is breaststroke...mainly because as your ligaments are loosening up, the frog kick can cause some hassles...

I've heard that freestyle is great...or alternatively using a kickboard...

[black_rose]

I do breaststroke, no problems for me and backstroke. I find freestyle bothers me most as it gives me back pain and feels like its stretching. I have a small bump so everything is compacted into a small space so that may be why freestyle is too much of a strain.

I suggest you just do what is comfortable for you, if it feels bad stop and try another stroke.

[bebebebe]

I did a lot of swimming during my pregnancy too, and loved it. I was told to try to avoid breaststroke. Not sure if it's not recommended due to potential danger, or if it's just a comfort thing. I was happy no to do it as I got a lot of aches in my inner thigh/groin area.

[MamaPan]

I asked my physio this as i swim a lot. was told to avoid breastroke. and also butterfly. ut all others are great and even kickboarding is v beneficial. she said it is important to rest b/n too many laps as you may not reaslise how high your heart rate has gone. but she said great all round during preg and can do to end as long as comfortable. hope that helps.

[lilprecious75]

I swam quite often throughout my pregnancy and did mainly breast stroke and freestyle. I made sure to rest after 4-6 laps and made sure I didn't do too much breast stroke.

[paradise lost]

I did my usual (1km) swim workout until i was 36weeks when bubs was so big that the kick-off the side of the pool hurt my stomach muscles. My workout was in 4 sets of 10, set A was 6 freestyle, 4 with kickboard, set B was 6 breaststroke, 4 with kickboard. My midwife told me to do as much as i was comfy with for as long as i felt i could. I slowed it down a little towards the end but i swam my usual 1km the week she was born.

HTH

H

[sparkle27]

hi - thanks for all your replies.
Now i have to get one of those kick boards

[Adnil]

I do all the strokes, I didn't know anything about avoiding breaststroke! I still swim between 1 and 2 kms. But I do rest whenever I feel that I need it. Swimming is wonderful while pg!

[MamaPan]

hi girls
i double checked with my physio as some of you had not been told anything about breast stroke as to the reasons, she said avoid if you have groin pain.. otherwise OK. So keep at it if it works for you!!!!

[Adnil]

Thanks for passing that on pregpan! I did swimming squad last night & totally forgot! But we didn't do any breaststroke anyway..

[black_rose]

I haven't been in the pool for a couple of weeks becasue of a cold. I went for a swim yesterday and I noticed when I was swimming freestyle or backstoke that I felt like I was going to roll over onto my back because my tummy was so big, it was a very strange feeling. I don't really felt any bigger but I guess I am!

[MamaPan]

I also hadnt been for about 10 dys due to work travel and i have noticed that I have 'popped' the last few weeks, i felt v different in the pool (but SO good to swim again, and the bubs loves it, I get so many kicks after!! - s/he must wear flippers!!)