Benefits of Water Exercises for Pregnancy and Labour TweetPin It Posted on 25/02/2014 in Pregnancy & Baby & Well-Being Swimming and water aerobics can provide great fitness benefits if you want a safe and low-impact way to exercise, as the water’s buoyancy gently cushions and supports the body while allowing for a good workout. Exercising in water can provide specific benefits for women during pregnancy. These include: Providing a low-impact, low-strain workout. Promoting muscle-toning, gentle strengthening and flexibility. Allowing participants who have back-strain or injuries to get the exercise they need. Promoting relaxation and stress-reduction. Improving capacity for processing oxygen. Promoting fitness while not excessively increasing body temperature. Preparing for labour (see more on this below). Types of water exercise for pregnancy Swimming – swimming increases endurance and muscle tone and builds strength. It exercises your lungs and your limbs, and helps burn excess calories making it good for weight-control. Breaststroke is considered to be particularly beneficial when pregnant, as it promotes back and pelvic realignment due to the particular muscle stretches that take place during this activity. Aqua-aerobics – these low-impact exercises promote endurance and flexibility and improve fitness without jarring your body in the way land aerobics might. Other water exercise – such as ‘running’ or ‘walking’ in the pool can also improve flexibility and fitness while giving you an energy boost. Water exercise could soothe your labour A 2008 study published in the Reproductive Health journal indicated that water aerobics may reduce the need for pain relief during labour. Of those who participated in the water exercises, 27% asked for pain relief during labour, compared to 65% of the women in the control group. This may be due to the benefits provided by water exercise such as increased strength, endurance and relaxation. Staying safe To stay safe while exercising in water, it’s important to keep hydrated, and to stop if you feel tired, dizzy, unwell, breathless, pain or have any other unsettling symptoms. The good thing about water exercise is that it is relatively safe to do even if you were fairly inactive before pregnancy. In any case, you should check with your health care practitioner before commencing any exercise program during pregnancy. Do you have a pregnancy exercise regimen? Tell us about it! Comments Be the first to comment on this article! Leave your comment below. Submit your comment Name (required)* Email (required - will not be published)* * Comment* Enter the code from the image: The code you entered is invalid Notify me by email when there are new comments Notify me by email when new articles are posted Submit Comment You might also like Congratulations to the Winners of our 2015 Mother's Day competitionPosted on May 9, 2015 in Competitions & Promos & NewsfeedA big thanks to all who entered our 2015 Mother's Day competition with over 190 amazing entries!!Read now Pregnancy and Exercise - Everything You Should KnowPosted on December 26, 2019 in Pregnancy & Baby & Well-BeingA strong body helps to carry the added weight of pregnancy. Exercise improves your balance and stability, increases your energy levels and adds to your sense of well-being.Read now Maternity Clothes for a Winter PregnancyPosted on May 3, 2021 in StyleDressing your bump in winter? Explore 12 stylish and comfortable pregnancy pieces featuring maternity dresses, leggings, knits, and winter wardrobe essentials.Read now