Can You Swim In A Lake While Pregnant

Can you swim in a lake while pregnant? 

It can feel like you’re being advised not to do something every time you turn around when you’re pregnant. 

When you’re faced with an ever-growing list of things you shouldn’t do while pregnant, it might feel as if nothing is safe for you or your unborn kid.

You know you should eat, sleep, and exercise to keep healthy, but figuring out how much of each and what types of activities you’re allowed to do.

Swimming, for example. Is that okay? In very simple words, yes! 

While only you can determine what activities you want to do throughout your pregnancy, we’ve included some facts to assist you in making your decision about swimming.

This article will address whether or not you can swim in a lake while pregnant. 

Can You Swim In A Lake While Pregnant? 

Swimming is one of the most beneficial low-impact exercises for pregnant women.

Oceans, lakes, and rivers, unlike swimming pools, are not treated to remove harmful bacteria and germs, leaving many pregnant women concerned about the safety of swimming in open waters during pregnancy.

Shigella, norovirus, E. coli, and Cryptosporidium are among the germs found in untreated water.

Swimming is one of the safest and most helpful forms of exercise while pregnant.

Swimming a few laps in freestyle or even breaststroke is a fun way to get some low-impact cardiovascular exercise while improving your circulation and increasing your oxygen levels—exactly what your body needs while you’re expecting.

Swimming strengthens all of your muscles, and because you’re weightless in the water, it’s an exercise you can do safely and pleasantly throughout your pregnancy.

When you’re pregnant, there’s nothing like floating in cool water! There aren’t any unique risks when it comes to swimming while pregnant.

“Swimming is a low-impact sport with no risk of falling or sustaining a high-impact injury,” specialists add.

When stepping on a slick, wet pool deck or climbing out of the pool, experts advise using additional caution.

When you’re pregnant, it’s a good idea to take the pool steps.

1. Is It Safe To Swim While Pregnant?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, swimming is one of the safest types of exercise during pregnancy.

(It’s worth noting that water skiing, diving, and scuba diving do not receive a thumbs-up because activities put pregnant women in danger of injury.)

Swimming is especially recommended as an exercise during in vitro fertilization (IVF) because of its numerous health benefits while putting the body under minimal stress.

Swimming can be a safe approach to maintaining your current fitness level if you’re worried about losing your endurance and muscle strength during IVF owing to activity restrictions.

2. Monitor The Temperature

Swimming in excessively warm water should also be avoided during pregnancy because it can boost your body temperature.

Because your body temperature mustn’t increase above 102.2°F (39°C) while your baby is growing inside you, using hot tubs, hot springs, or even very warm baths to relax should be avoided if at all possible.

A spike in body temperature caused by being submerged in hot water, especially in the first trimester, might result in problems at delivery or even miscarriage.

Therefore it’s critical to follow this advice.

On the other hand, it’s crucial to avoid swimming in lakes and oceans in cold weather since the cold might put your body into shock or cause illness, neither of which is beneficial for your developing baby. 

3. When Is Swimming Harmful to a Pregnant Woman?

When swimming with a baby on the way, there are a few safety considerations to keep in mind.

Overheating can cause pregnancy difficulties, especially in the first trimester. Therefore it’s not healthy to be immersed in very hot water [and] you should avoid hot tubs.

While swimming in chlorinated pools is safe during pregnancy, you should ensure that any body of water you swim in is clean and won’t put you in danger of contracting a water-borne infection.

This does not preclude you from swimming in lakes or the ocean.

You simply want to ensure that you are not entering any water that may be tainted somehow.

For example, even brief exposures to infested water when rafting or walking barefoot in feces-contaminated water can be dangerous.

4. Advantages Of Swimming

During pregnancy, Swimming has several advantages: Swimming is a delightfully calming kind of low-impact exercise that can ease many of the usual aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

Here are a handful of the more important swimming benefits:

• It eliminates nausea, which other types of exercise can exacerbate.
• It keeps you cool while exercising and keeps you from overheating.
• The buoyancy relieves pressure on your baby bump and lower back, which is a welcome respite.
• Blood circulation is improved.
• Reduces edema and pain in the lower limbs.
• Muscles in the center of the abdomen are strengthened.
• Prevents diastasis rectus
• Back pain is relieved.
• It can help with flexibility and cardiovascular health.
• It can make pregnancy, labor, and delivery easier and more comfortable.

Learn more on pregnancy safety: What Happens If You Swallow Gum While Pregnant

Summary

Now, you know about can pregnant women swim in the lake. Although you may feel like you can’t do (or eat!) anything while pregnant, your doctor will likely give you the go-light to swim around the pool.

Swimming can relieve pregnancy pain and provide other health benefits such as enhanced sleep and fitness.

It’s something worth pursuing if you have any interest, as it’s generally regarded as a safe type of exercise during all three trimesters.

Before planning a water birth, make sure to consult your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is chlorine in the water a problem?

Suppose you’re concerned about swimming in a pool or other chlorine-containing environment.

In that case, you’ll be relieved to learn that at least one 2010 study claims there are no unfavorable birth outcomes linked to pool cleaning chemicals.

Compared to non-exercisers, women who swam in pool water at the start and middle of their pregnancy had a slightly lower chance of delivering their kids prematurely or with congenital abnormalities!

While more recent research has highlighted concerns regarding fetal exposure to pool water disinfection by-products, the study’s authors emphasized that more data and long-term information are needed.

Is it safe to swim in cold water while pregnant?

The water may be too chilly. Due to changes in the body, the temperature regulating mechanism is less effective during pregnancy.

This can result in a dangerous reduction in core body temperature (‘hypothermia’), leading to major health issues.

Swimming in natural bodies of water, such as streams and lakes, is frequently discouraged due to concerns about currents, pollution, and wildlife.

Swimming in most bodies of freshwater is, thankfully, totally safe.

When is it safe for a pregnant lady to swim?

Swimming is normally safe for you during your pregnancy until your baby is born.

However, you should avoid swimming after your waters have broken.

Whether a novice or a seasoned swimmer, you should begin carefully and gradually build up to 30-minute sessions. 

Lakes and ponds are examples of freshwater bodies of water that may harbor hazardous microorganisms or pollution.

Germs or chemicals lurking in the water we swim in are the culprits, and they can cause several problems:

• Problems with the skin
• Diarrhea
• Infections in the ears
• Infections of the eyes
• Problems with the nervous system