Swimming is widely acknowledged to be one of the best sports for pregnant women, as it offers aerobic benefits as well as engaging all the major muscle groups, and its low-impact nature protects your joints and ligaments. But are certain strokes better than others?
There is really no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re fit and have good technique, and you’ve had no complications with your pregnancy, you will likely be able to maintain your pre-pregnancy swim routine, incorporating all the strokes into your workout. As your pregnancy progresses, you may find that you need to decrease the length and intensity of your workouts, and you might also need to eliminate certain movements if they become uncomfortable. Your body will usually let you know if you need to take things easier.
Trainers, doctors and expectant mums all have their own recommendations (some conflicting), but following are a few things to keep in mind about the various strokes.
Butterfly. Some experts recommend that pregnant women avoid the butterfly stroke because of the stress it places on the spine. It is generally considered the most difficult stroke, so it’s perhaps not ideal if you’re already tiring more easily than usual. Unless you’re a butterfly specialist, you might…
