Benefits of prenatal aquatic gymnastics
Aquatic gymnastics is one of the safest and most effective ways to exercise, offering a natural form of resistance that challenges and helps strengthen your muscles. The human body is composed of 70% water, and if you’ve ever wondered why you feel good in the pool, at the beach, or near water in general, well, one of the reasons is that when we are in water, our bodies remember the intrauterine period.
Our cells have memory and have not forgotten what it was like when we were just an embryo. Thus, when we are pregnant and do water gymnastics, in addition to the physical benefits that I will mention in the paragraphs below, we also have the psychological benefit of feeling like we’re in our mother’s womb.
When you become aware of this, you can have easier communication with the developing baby. The fetus loves moments when you are happy and relaxed, and aquatic gymnastics can provide you with that state. When you practice water gymnastics, you not only get physical exercise but also a very good massage. This water massage has a draining effect and can reduce edema caused by pregnancy.
Another benefit that I appreciate is the decompression of the spine due to the water taking some of the body’s weight. This reduces back pain and sciatica caused during pregnancy. Most pregnant women I have worked with have shared how good and comfortable they feel in the water.
Another important effect of practicing aquatic gymnastics during pregnancy is the regulation of blood pressure. This effect is due to the pressure that water exerts on the body.
When performed in water, breathing exercises improve the respiratory capacity of mothers, benefiting the developing babies as well. Many expectant mothers I know complain about not getting restful sleep. Aquatic gymnastics also has this benefit, namely helping you sleep much better. It is excellent preparation for childbirth because this type of exercise prompts pregnant women to focus on their breathing, bringing more oxygen to the lungs, a technique that will contribute to reducing pain during childbirth.
As mentioned earlier, the most important aspect related to practicing aquatic gymnastics is the sense of well-being it provides. Babies are happy when their mothers are happy.
Useful Tips for Going to the Pool:
- Keep a water bottle near you at the edge of the pool. In water, you don’t feel the sensation of thirst, and you can easily become dehydrated.
- Avoid wearing a rubberized material swim cap. Body temperature regulation occurs at the head, and to avoid overheating, a textile swim cap is typically used.
- Ensure you have calm breathing throughout your immersion in water.
- Stay in the water up to your chest during aquatic gymnastics classes.
- Avoid exercises that involve bringing your knees close to your chest.
- Avoid water massage exercises at the abdominal level.
- Avoid any exercise that causes discomfort.
- The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
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