We already know that water and swimming bring lots of benefits for both children and adults. For pregnant women, swimming is good for both mother and foetus.
Pregnant women don’t just bathe; at the same time they exercise their muscles to help withstand pregnancy and as a preparation process for childbirth.
Every year, more and more public and private pools are organising courses especially designed for pregnant women. If you’d like to do this and you can’t find anywhere in your town, you can do some basic exercises in your private pool, even in an above-ground pool.
Swimming for pregnant women, water aerobics or, in general, pool activities aimed at pregnant women favour relaxation, enhance muscle strength, improve breathing and blood circulation and alleviate weight discomfort, such as cervical or lumbar pain. The water environment also makes you feel lighter.
The muscles and areas that need the most strengthening during pregnancy are the abdominals, trunk, back and legs. You can also exercise the elasticity and strength of the pelvic floor in the water.
Finally, take a few minutes to relax, for example floating on the water in the position known as "playing dead" or adopting a foetal position.
