Swimming - no breast stroke?

[learnermummy]

I've just had my booking appointment and when discussing exercise during pregnancy the midwife said I was not to do breast stroke when swimming. I've never been advised this before - anyone else? Think it will really put me off going at all.

never heard that! Surely it is wrong??

I think it's just in case you get/have SPD/PGP - it puts extra pressure on your pelvis. I can't do breaststroke because of this.

Also, breaststroke puts more pressure on your lower back, so that could be another reason maybe.

Other than that, it's great exercise - you could use a float and just kick your legs if you don't want to do proper front crawl, or just do steady breaststroke if you don't have any pelvic pain.

I've heard this. I think it might depend on how far along you are and how much your pelvis is loosening (or if you have SPD).

I did crawl and backstroke and a tiny bit of breastroke. Then again I didn't go often because the first 6 months I was too sick and after that I didn't feel confident that I wasn't going to be kicked in the stomach by accident (busy pools round here!)

WHAT?!?!? Really? Am 21+4 an just started swimming again it's the only exercise I do and breast stroke is the only way I swim, this is super poo if true!

I always did breaststroke in my last pregnancy, and I swam 4/5 times a week... Didn't seem to affect me (baby got into the right position in time for birth, no hip/back problems etc)....

Hi all

I do a LOT of swimming and always did when I was Pg with both my DC. I was advised by my swimming coaches not to do breaststroke at all because of the relaxin in your system it can cause to much stress on your pelvic area, so I never did any, I just did FC and used a float and kicked my legs, or did breaststroke arms and FC legs. However, it is tricky because not everyone can do FC and it is such a good exercise when PG. I would investigate further if I was you. I always see many pg ladies swimming doing breaststoke when I go. I am 6 weeks pg now and when I go I will not do BS though.

It makes sense to me that breaststroke might make SPD worse, but I didn't think 20 lengths of leisurely breast stroke a couple of times a week could cause it - I would want to know more.

Yes it is just due to the relaxin and PGP. I found when I did breast strike when pregnant by lower back would be very sore afterwards so I stuck to front crawl.

Its not actually going to harm you do don't worry if you've been doing it if you've had no problems. But I'd say if you notice it makes your lower back/pelvis/hips etc feel achey then just don't do it anymore.

I've swum regularly through both my last and current pregnancy doing a mix of FC and breaststroke - I've never been told it's an issue. I do have a friend who was told not to do backstroke later in pregnancy (for positioning reasons).

I find swimming makes my back feel better so don't plan on stopping until baby arrives (last time was swimming up until about 10 days overdue).