Is 7 months too late to start swimming

[Wills]

I'm incredibly stressed at the moment. I've a grievance hearing tomorrow, my mother is once again doing a dying swan act and my dh's cancer results are still not back (waiting for the consultant to phone in the evening!) but indications are not good. I can't sleep and really don't feel I can blame that on little one. I'm shattered but feel up to brim with tense nervous energy. I need some outlet and had thought of swimming. But I suspect that once in the water this would not be a gentle float up and down the lanes but a real go for it out of breath type of excercise which I really really need to do before I pop! Have tried ringing my midwife but she's out for the week. Can try other avenues but thought I'd ask mn first. I haven't been swimming properly for a good 10 months now (wasn't allowed to in the first few months of pregnancy etc).

wills, that sounds horrific.

as to the q: I don't have any professional kowledge, but it simply wouldn't occur to me that it might not be ok iyswim. as far as i know, it's the risk of miscle strain that's the problem with exercise in pregnancy, not the exercise itself. I swam when preg with mine and will swim this summer.

plus sleep: have you tried the usual - no books in bed, wind down time, hot milky drink or camomile tea?

ps - meant to say i hope things get better for you soon, and good luck with the greivance hearing!

I've got an 'exercise in pregnancy' book by Fitness magazine and it says the following about swimming while pregnant:

• Get in the pool using the ladder, don't jump in
• watch your back as breaststroke make you arch your back
• when doing front crawl kick from the hips, don't kick too deeply and don't let your feet break the water's surface. during the final trimester you might find the frogkick in breaststroke uncomfortable. *Stop if you feel pelvic pain *Don't do a flip turn

hth. Hope everything else works out for you.

lol at "don't do a flip turn"

bang goes my olympic training!

The 'don't jump in' advice made me smile. I can just imagine a heavily pregnant woman doing a belly flop into the pool and covering the spectators in water!

Oh, that definitely made me laugh! Many thanks. Not sure whats funnier the idea of the water emptying with me standing there looking embarassed or the idea of me attempting to do a flip turn and having to be rescued by some lightweight skinny lifeguard!

Glad we made you laugh.

I went swimming for the first time in months the other day. I only managed 4 laps, but i didnt suffer any ill effects.

I swim regularly and go for it. I can't see it doing any harm, unless you ignore any pain you feel.

I used to have a right giggle with my dad at the thought of me trying to do flip turns at 8 months pregnant with my first - imagine getting to the end and attempting it and getting half way over without being able to flip all the way, you'd be like a turlte on it's back....

Water is good for the weight. I am 7mth now and just been to the pool last night (after been busy and did nothing for about a month). I think even you have not be active, walk about in the water would make you feel better. I go during quiet time and watch out for kids. Weired feeling that someone might kick on my bump, so always watch out for others.

Other than that, the water takes the weight and you feel better.

Its the feel better that I'm after. The release of nervous energy + in flux of adrenaline thingies! Many thanks