Aquanatal

[MrsCK]

Just wondering if anyone has taken time off work for an exercise class such as aquanatal. I know I am entitled to it but feel so guilty. I'd have to take about 4 hours off each week meaning on that particular day I'd only work 2 hours...am I being silly?

You are entitled to 'reasonable' time off....hour many hours do you work? 4 hours seems loads to me, especially if you will do that every week, on top of appointments etc. if you work 40 hours that is 10% of your working week gone-a significant chunk! I would think you were taking the piss to be honest. Is there nothing you can go to outside of work hours?

Has aquanatal been advised by a hcp? Unless your work has a policy of allowing it you aren't routinely allowed time off for exercise classes.

I'm a teacher so work 70 hours a week just not all of them student facing! Midwife recommended me and the website says I am entitled to all appointments and antenatal care. I'm thinking of going once a month instead of once a week. there's nothing outside of work time and it will take so long as I don't drive...hmm

Yes, you are entitled to ante natal care. But exercise classes aren't ante natal care unless recommended to you by a hcp. Depending on your work, you may need your mw to write you a note.

And, tbh, unless you have spd or something it is just a bit of bobbing around. A nice swim and looking for some yoga or something might be more worthwhile. All the women I know only did aquanatal at the very end once on leave. It would have bored me rigid when I was still able to more active.

Why would it take 4 hours too?

I agree with Penguins. Go once to a class, remember some of the exercises, then do them outside of work time in your nearest pool.

It's fun, but ONLY because of the social stuff. It's not however physically challenging in any way at all. Since my friend I went with has had her baby, I've not been back. I can do some of the better exercises in my gym pool instead as part of my normal swimming!

Actually I've found the best thing is running up and down the shallow end! Takes the pressure off your joints, the bump floats, but it still works your legs a bit. My gym pool is the same depth across the whole thing, yesterday I swam 30 lengths, ran 10 lengths and did the abdominal floating exercises with the woggles that I learnt at aquanatal. The abs need a bit more support than anything else.

Fab, thanks!

I agree with Goats too. I went a few times with DD1 and really it was to have a plan for the day and someone to go for a coffee with. Good when overdue for me!

I really wouldn't waste your time if the classes aren't at a convenient time/place. Our local classes are in the evenings and have midwives present, which is nice, but as others have said it is a nice bob about with some other pregnant women, and it won't make a massive amount of difference even if you do have SPD. Swimming is much more effective both as exercise and for pelvis issues.

Also, the class I went to was run by a midwife, who did a coffee, cake and chat session afterwards - that was much more useful than the actual aquanatal itself. She was great for answering questions.