Yoga or swimming

[Unicornchaser]

Hiya, looking for advice/recommendations please?
I am 11 weeks pregnant and have suffered with back pain for years. I can already feel my hips complaining too and generally I do have rubbish joints.

What would be more beneficial for me to strengthen my core & help reduce the back pain as I get heavier with baby, yoga or swimming?
Thanks!

I think probably yoga for core! Could you not do a bit of both?

I haven't tried swimming but I started a yoga class from 13 weeks pregnant. It's been fantastic! I've had severe issues with my hip for over a year, so was slightly concerned about carrying a baby, but the yoga has made my hip feel better than ever. In fact if I miss one class now I can feel the niggling ache creeping back!

I'm 28 weeks now and still at it. The mediation part at the end of my classes has also been great for any anxiety I've been feeling about birth. My teacher does a lot of pelvic floor exercises too.

I found a regular class, rather than a pregnancy one, but the teacher is qualified in teaching pregnant ladies. She just adapts the moves for me where required and gives me tips and advice as we go along.

Swimming would definitely be worth a go too! I was planning to but still haven't got around to buying a swimsuit that fits my bump.

Thanks @HoneyBee03, I get sporadic sciatica as well and used to do a Pilates/yoga class which was good so think this is possibly going to be more beneficial. Would be great if I could find a class like yours with an instructor who can really help tailor it to benefit me with the pregnancy.
I have zero energy right now so may hold back on the swimming until I have a bit more energy maybe

I was a bit sceptical before starting pregnancy yoga, but I really enjoy it, and I feel notably less achey after the class. If you can, I'd recommend finding a specific pregnancy one, as it's quite nice just hanging out with other pregnant women! I do also swim, but find it much harder to motivate myself to go along to the pool than to go to a specific, booked-in-advance class, so have found the yoga much easier to keep up.

Actually I think pregnancy Pilates would be the best option.

I had a bit of a dodgy lower back before pregnancy and developed bad PGP. Saw a Physio and osteopath and based on what they said, having a strong and stable core really helps. So Pilates is good as it improves core strength.

I actually prefer yoga to Pilates and I did pregnancy yoga which was lovely. But I would probably do Pilates as well or instead next time.

Swimming is lovely to do when pregnant as the weightless feeling is wonderful. It’s not as helpful as Pilates or yoga for toning or stretching, but it’s good cardio. Just bear in mind that if you do get PGP, you need to be careful doing breaststroke not to open your knees too wide.

I don't really have any advice but when I was swam when pregnant it felt great but as soon as I stepped out of the pool the whole weight of the bump hit me and it was awful on my back

It’s true, getting out of the pool is a bitch

I do both. The only thing about pregnancy yoga is that it’s not as strengthening as other forms of yoga. I used to do power yoga tgstvreally got you strong. It might just be the class I go to though. For me he Vestctging about yoga is the stress relief. You com out feeling so relaxed. This alone is worth it.

Swimming is good for cardio without being too harsh on your joints. I am 27 weeks and getting s bit uncomfortable at times. Being in the water is amazing just makes me feel free and weightless!

I've got a history of back pain too, & so two weeks ago I joined a regular pilates class to strengthen my core - the teacher is qualified to teach pre-natal exercises so she just gives me alternatives to do for the things I shouldn't attempt. I'm also starting a pregnancy yoga class on Monday but I think the pilates will be more helpful in terms of pain prevention (I'm hoping the yoga will provide more in the way of relaxation etc & making some pregnant friends in the area).

I'm just trying to find a swimming costume at the moment that doesn't make me want to cry looking in the mirror, & then I'll start doing that at the weekends too! But as others have said, be careful with breaststroke. I used to swim at quite a high level so I'm hoping that'll keep my fitness levels up a bit as well as regular dog walking too.

Thanks for all the suggestions, will for sure look up pregnancy Pilates and a standard yoga class then for when I'm 13+ weeks.
Just a matter of interest, anyone know why you need to wait till then?

Pilates (preferably physio led) is best for this kind of pain.

P.S. you can do Pilates all the way through, with some modifications on certain moves.

I was told no yoga in first trimester, and then preferably a pregnancy yoga classes.