Swimming advice

[lilly13]

Is it okay to do breast stroke or only crawl style when swimming? I read somewhere that breast stoke is not recommended, but I don't fully understand why... Any advice would be much appreciated!

I think if you have spd, then the leg movements with breaststroke can be painful. If you're not having spd or any joint problems, you should be fine doing whatever's comfortable.

I would suggest just swimming in whatever way feels comfortable. For me, breaststroke feels just fine whereas for some people it doesn't.

Don't push yourself too hard, listen to your body and you'll be fine :)

I think I read the same warning about breat stroke and I'm sure it was for those with SPD or other lower joint problems, even then you can still do breast stroke arms but kick your legs straight.

I've been doing 60 lengths of breast stroke twice a week and haven't had any problems. I do some front crawl but I get a bit overexcited about being able to do some proper exercise that I have to limit it otherwise I end up getting a bit carried away and too out of breath.

I swum about 5km a week first pregnancy (I wish I could do the same this time around). It was soooooo marvellous.

I did breast stroke to 'warm up' and then mainly crawl and that was fine for me. But I've never been able to do lots of breast stroke as it gets me in lower back.

As Pip says listen to your body.

Thank you so much for your replies, everyone!

My midwife told me to avoid breast stroke. So I do a mix of full front crawl and using the floats to just do crawl arms or legs.

I was told to avoid breast stroke due to pressure on lower back. I do what caring does...or I pretend I'm a whale and do a kind of back stroke wallowy action!

I struggled with breast stroke but back stroke is fine as is front crawl kick and using floats etc, like what caring suggests.

Baby obviously likes swimming as s/he gives me a good kick if I stop at the end of the pool for a breather! :)