Even if you've never exercised before, swimming is safe to take up during pregnancy. Swimming in a chlorinated pool is not harmful to you or your baby. It's usually safe for you to swim throughout your pregnancy, right up until your baby's birth, although you shouldn't swim after your waters have broken.
You can continue to swim during the entire pregnancy, ie, the first, second and third trimesters, unless you feel unwell, waters break, develop any vaginal bleeding, or any medical complication where swimming or other exercises should be avoided.
There are a few safety issues to keep in mind when it comes to swimming with a baby on the way. "It is not safe to be immersed in very hot water [and you should] avoid hot tubs," Dr. Sekhon says, because overheating can cause pregnancy complications, especially in the first trimester.
Experts agree these exercises are safest for pregnant women: Walking—Brisk walking gives a total body workout and is easy on the joints and muscles. Swimming and water workouts—Water workouts use many of the body's muscles. The water supports your weight so you avoid injury and muscle strain.
Holding your breath is really not a good idea as your baby needs a constant supply of oxygen and compelling evidence shows that breath-holding even during any exercise whilst pregnant isn't advisable.
Research the body of water you wish to swim in to prevent waterborne illness. While for the most part a public beach is perfectly fine, you may want to be more cautious with smaller bodies of water.
Recent studies suggest that swimming in chlorinated pools during infancy may increase the risks of lower respiratory tract infection.
In fact, chlorine can be harmful to your eyes, hair, nails, lungs, and yes, even your skin. Not only that, but depending on your age, existing skin condition, and several other factors including the balance of chemicals in the water, chlorine can be anything from irritating to extremely harmful to your skin.
When you use a sauna, jacuzzi, hot tub or steam room, your body is unable to lose heat effectively by sweating. This means your body's core temperature rises. It's possible that a significant rise in your core temperature could be harmful in pregnancy, particularly in the first 12 weeks.
If you're pregnant, you should avoid riding roller coasters. Any ride with sudden drops, jerky turns, or lots of force on the body increases the risk of placental abruption, which can be life-threatening for a baby.
As long as your bath is warm, and will not raise your core body temperature beyond 39 degrees C for more than 10 minutes, you can still enjoy some down time in the tub. In fact, relaxing in the bath can be hugely beneficial for expectant mothers easing pregnancy aches and pains.
Yes. Massage is a good way to relax and improve circulation. The best position for a massage while you're pregnant is lying on your side, rather than facedown. Some massage tables have a cut-out for the belly, allowing you to lie facedown comfortably.
After Shocking Your Pool
It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours.
When you swim in chlorinated water, the chemicals are absorbed into your skin, and overexposure can happen quicker than you think. For some, it might take years of regular swimming in chlorinated waters, and for others, it might only take a few months.
The most common symptoms caused by swimming-related illnesses are diarrhea, skin rashes, ear pain, cough or congestion, and eye pain.
Chlorine can irritate the eyes, skin, hair, and teeth. Occasionally swimming doesn't cause significant side effects, but people who swim frequently are more likely to experience chlorine side effects. Pools with too high chlorine levels and built-up chloramines can also irritate the respiratory system.
Chlorine can strip off natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Regular exposure to chlorine can make your hair highly porous. Chlorine can change the colour of your hair. It can weaken your hair strands, resulting in split ends.
In fact, a 2015 study in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation found that women who swam three times a week shed more fat around their waists and hips compared to those who walked three times a week. Another big benefit: Water-based workouts are low-impact, so they tend to be easier on your hips, knees, and feet.
Leaving chlorine and other pool chemicals on your skin after you swim is a bad idea. They can dry out your skin, removing its natural protective oils., especially if you sleep with chlorine on your body. This can irritate it and leave it vulnerable to infections. If you're itchy after you swim, this may be why.
Not removing chlorine can make your skin (and hair) dry out, stripping the natural, protective oils from your skin and leaving you itchy and dry, particularly if you're already prone to sensitive skin.
Simply showering with soap and shampoo after you get of the pool will go a long way, too, toward getting most of the chlorine out. You can also mix a small bit of Vitamin C crystals with your body wash or shampoo to create your own swim shampoo and wash.
A clean pool is also one that literally feels clean. In other words, when you put your hand in the water, it should feel wet and nothing else. However, if you're noticing a slimy feeling on your hand, it means the chlorine isn't working.