Swimming lessons while pregnant?

[Anonymous]

I never learned to swim after a near drowning at age 5. I want to put my oldest daughter into swim lessons and figure why not take lessons myself. I am very nervous around water and had trouble letting cold water hit my face in the shower for many, many years. I feel ready now to try to get into a pool but I wonder if I will feel more anxious since I am currently pregnant. Would it be best to wait until after delivery? Is it harder to swim while pregnant? I am going to need the very basics, the class that will help me put my face into the water and learn to kick type.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a great idea! I recently took a swimming class at the Y with a very pregnant woman. She did great and it was a good way to get some exercise.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about being anxious but I can float really really well while being pregnant. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

If you're just getting the basics, you'll be fine, and in fact it'll probably help with pregnancy, labor and delivery to be exercising and as weightless as we can be on earth. You might just love it!

[Anonymous]

If you think you still have strong water anxiety OP, then I wouldn't approach this until later on.

Stress is not good for you while in this condition and it wouldn't be worth it.

If you think you can handle it now and that your emotions will not be negatively affected, then yes, it will be a good idea since exercise is great for pregnancy.

Just make sure you do not stress yourself out now.

[Anonymous]

I think it will be very good for you and a great opportunity for trying something new. Kudos to you for doing this!

If you have emotional issues regarding this that are still stressful for you, then I'd recommend working with a therapist before and/or during lessons. Maybe private lessons would be a good option as well so that you can go at your speed. If they are group lessons, talk with the instructor beforehand about your feelings toward the water.

The only risk in this is that you may have emotional issues come back up if they are unresolved. It might be scary or stressful. If you're willing to cope with that, then give it a try. If it's way too stressful for you, then stop after you do it the first time and wait until after the pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

i have a friend who did this a few years ago and loved it! and swimming is great low-impact exercise for pregnant ladies.

the only reason i would consider avoiding is if you are prone to panic attacks or the like and are far enough along to be short of breath. because i am NOT prone to panic attacks but the perpetual shortness of breath in my 3rd trimester made me feel like i was constantly about to have one, which made me anxious, which made me breathe harder, and well, i had a couple of panic attacks. no fun. i learned to avoid certain situations.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a great idea for a number of reasons. First, you'll be modeling to your daughter how it's important to face and work through your fears. She may be nervous about being in the water herself, and it would be so powerful to hear Mom say "you know what? Me too. But I trust the teacher and am just going to do a little bit at a time so that we can all have fun at the pool next summer."

Second, you're soon going to be the mom of not one, but two nonswimmers. You owe it to your kids to be in a position to help keep them safe. Lifeguards are helpful, but a watchful parent within arm's reach (and by that I mean in the water) is the first line of defense. Assuming there's a lifeguard present at all -- at our swim club the baby pool is swim at your own risk. And that risk is too great if you're not willing to go splashing through the water when your toddler topples over.

[Anonymous]

Go for it! Swimming while pregnant was the only physical activity that felt somewhat normal. I did feel sort of like a whale, though