SWIMMING DURING PREGNANCY: BENEFITS, TIPS AND PRECAUTIONS

In order to have a better quality of life, we must maintain a series of healthy habits, among which stand out having a balanced diet and staying active. In pregnancy, it is important to continue, or start with this kind of habits to be in good health.

During pregnancy, exercise is one of the activities that brings us many benefits, and one of the most suitable for pregnant women, is one that is performed in the water. We tell you everything you need to know about Swimming during pregnancy: benefits, tips and precautions.

Why exercise in pregnancy?

Unless there is any medical indication for not doing so, exercising during pregnancy is something that is recommended for all women, regardless of whether or not they were already doing physical activity before.

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Exercising during this stage is not only important for your body to remain active and avoid gaining too much weight, but also, brings various benefits to carry a better pregnancy and they will also be useful when the time of delivery arrives.

For example, studies have found that exercising in pregnancy helps to reduce the duration of labor, and in the case of those women who are obese, exercising during this stage helps prevent and reduce the possibility of certain complications, such as diabetes or hypertension

Swimming during pregnancy: all benefits

Of the different exercises that are recommended to do or practice during pregnancy, since when we dive into the water, the physical weight is greatly reduced, thus helping to prevent possible injuries or avoiding forcing the muscles.

But in addition to being one of the safest exercises during this stage, swimming brings various benefits to pregnant women:

It helps prevent the body from overheating in excess, since it balances body temperature.
It relieves the pressure that supports the pelvic area, also relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve, which is a huge advantage for pregnant women who have annoying sciatica. Pressure in the rectum is also relieved, so hemorrhoids will be reduced.
Lowers pain in the lower back.
The horizontal position of swimming prevents a particular part of the body from recharging, distributing the effort in a balanced way.
Improves muscle toning, strength and mobility due to the resistance it gives in all angles.
Improves breathing and lung ventilation.
Improves blood circulation.
It helps you feel relaxed and lighter, improving your sleep quality.

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Tips and precautions about swimming in pregnancy

As we can see, swimming not only complies with the recommendation to exercise, but also provides different benefits for the body and health during pregnancy. But nevertheless, As with any physical activity during this stage, we must take certain precautions:

It is important to be very careful when walking along the edge of the pool or around it, since the ground can be slippery, increasing the risk of falls, particularly during the final stretch of pregnancy, when the center of gravity has changed and is not so easy to see what your feet are on.
Do not wear very tight clothes, so as not to hinder blood circulation. The best at this stage is to buy swimsuits or bikinis maternity.
Avoid using the trampoline and do not do any kind of acrobatics. It is also not advisable to dive with great force, but with care and caution.
Use flip flops or sandals to walk around the pool and shower.
Try to shower after swimming, to remove the remains of chlorine from the skin and hair, and then apply a moisturizer.
The water temperature should be nice, not too cold or too hot. Similarly, the outside temperature must be tempered, avoiding the central hours of the day, to avoid burns or sunstroke.
If the pool is outdoors, we must remember to apply sunscreen on the skin, which requires special care during this important stage.
Make sure the pool water is clean and maintained.
Let's not try to reach goals that cost us effort or are impossible.

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The swimming during pregnancy It can be a very fun and beneficial physical activity, however you should perform in a pleasant and relaxed way, without forcing yourself too much. And above all, remember to check with your doctor before continuing or starting any type of physical activity during pregnancy.

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