Wild swimming while pregnant

[ElleMcElle]

This might be a daft question (in which case forgive me - pregnancy paranoia) - but I have some time off tomorrow and really fancy a dip in Hampstead Ladies Pond. I'm 10 wks pregnant. Is there any reason to avoid this. My worries are 1) infection (the water is reasonably clean - although not compared to a chlorinated pool) 2) cold temperature having a negative effect on the baby. Any thoughts?

I spent time in the sea in Wales while 11 weeks pregnant. No ill effects from it. Once you have been in a while you get used to the temperature.

I think ponds are different to the sea. I wouldn't do it because of the infection risk.

Have you ever heard of anyone, ever, getting an infection there?? I really wouldn't worry

The water will have to meet certain hygiene standards, so it should be fine. I swam in a small local lake throughout my pregnancy. My midwife swam there and often chatted to me. If it had been a problem, I think she would have said.

Wild swimming? Isn't it still just swimming, is it really called wild swimming now? It'll be fine, the temperature in particular will have no effect at all.

I think the sea would definitely be OK - just not sure about the ponds... Had a google and the wild swimming advice seems to be pretty contradictory!

It's not really wild swimming there though is it? It's maintained by the council. There will be a certain standard of cleanliness.
Just avoid swallowing lots of water but that would be the advice even if you weren't pregnant.

I was there on Sunday, it was lovely. So relaxing :) Definitely go for a dip, water is about 20c so not even really cold.

No - it's not very 'wild'! I was using the term to differentiate the activity from swimming in a chlorinated pool or lido, which would be a more controlled environment.

It's one of my favourite places in London - don't want to miss out but am just a bit paranoid, as my first pregnancy.

I'm nearly 6 weeks with #2, swam there frequently in the early days with my DS (March baby so stopped outdoor swimming when it got cold!) and I really don't see anything to worry about. It's as controlled an open water environment as you'll possibly get.