Pregnant women should exercise to maintain their fitness levels and improve blood circulation throughout their pregnancy. In addition, many women experience discomfort as a result of their growing belly during pregnancy.

Pregnant women can do a variety of exercises, but they should avoid ones that put too much movement into their waists and abdomens.

Is swimming a safe form of exercise for expectant mothers?

Benefits of swimming for pregnant women

Swimming is a highly recommended physical activity for pregnant women. Unlike many other sports, swimming carries a low risk of injury. Furthermore, swimming engages all limbs, making it beneficial for lowering the risk of gestational diabetes. Here are some advantages of swimming for expectant mothers:

1. Facilitates blood circulation

Swimming can strengthen the heart so that it pumps blood more efficiently. In this way, blood circulation to the body becomes smoother and increases oxygen levels in the blood of pregnant women and the fetus.

2. Improve body posture

During pregnancy, the spine carries a heavy load, making the pelvic bones misaligned. By swimming regularly, pregnant women can not only strengthen their muscles but also improve their posture.

3. Improved lung and heart health

For pregnant women, it is important to prepare themselves before giving birth. One of them is good breathing exercises for mothers who plan vaginal delivery. Swimming can help improve lung and heart health. Swimming also makes the mother's breathing longer and stronger. Apart from that, swimming is also good for the heart to avoid pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes.

4. Reduces swelling

Pregnant women who enter the third trimester are susceptible to swelling in several parts of the body due to the increasing size of the fetus. By swimming, buoyancy can relieve the burden of pregnancy on the back muscles, thereby improving blood circulation. This can relax the body and reduce swelling, especially in the calf area.

5. Improves quality of sleep

Swimming has the same health benefits as other forms of exercise for pregnant women's sleep. The body will feel fitter and the mind will be calmer after working out, which will improve sleep.

Swimming is beneficial to expectant mothers and is safe to do during pregnancy. However, you must stay away from pools with strong odors, as the aroma of pool water purifiers often causes nausea and vomiting. As a result, choose a swimming pool with water that doesn't make you queasy or throw up.

Additionally, it's recommended to swim in water with a temperature between 27 and 33 degrees Celsius to avoid triggering contractions. Prior to swimming, ensure to warm up adequately to prevent injuries.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.