swimming at 30 weeks - should I hurt this much today?

[HelenaCC]

Anyone else been swimming much whilst pg? I usually follow up my weekly aquanatal class with 20 lengths of the pool, not exactly strenuous. Today my lower back is aching and am wondering if I should be more careful swimming or if the new physio at aquanatal introduced a move that threw my back out a bit. Whats the advice youve received about swimming? I thought it was good for you!

It depends what you're doing, and how. Swimming is generally recommended cos the water supports your body, so reduces impact on your joints etc.

But your body changes all the time during pregnancy, and it's as well to be aware of that and adjust things accordingly. Women with pelvic problems and SPD, for example, can make things a lot worse by doing breaststroke kicks. I found I was getting ligament pains under my ribs from 30 weeks onwards, so stopped doing front crawl, which involved big forward 'reaches'.

The hormone relaxin is the thing that lets everything stretch a bit more during pregnancy, but that's what makes pregnant women prone to pelvic and back pain. I wouldn't stop swimming at all! but I'd say, just be aware you might need to change your routine. And I know it's boring, but if you get pain after one session, do take it very easy the next time and be alert to any warning twinges. And stretch very gently after all exercise - again, obvious and boring, but it's really good for doing a 'body scan' and finding out where any stiffness and soreness is before it becomes a chronic problem. (I've been achey a couple of times after swimming, but been sensible, and am still swimming happily for hour long seshes at 35 weeks).

I'd be blaming the new physio!

I'm still doing 1km a day, 5 days a week and no problems yet (22 weeks), but have slowed down a bit, and dropped from a mile a day to a km a day - 30lengths less!

Swimming is probably the best preg exercise you can do IMO, but alter your stroke/speed as you need to.

I am nearly 21 weeks and go for swimming once in a week. I do about 40 mins non-stop, this is what feels great for me. I am sure swimming is one of the safest way to exercise while pregnant.