Among the tips of our “survival guide” for pregnant women in summer, we could not miss the one to take advantage of the sea, the beach and the pool as our allies to be cooler. And the thing is that nothing appeals more, with the heat, than to immerse yourself in refreshing waters. But you have to take into account certain precautions for pregnant women on the beach and in the pool .
In general, it is about maintaining some basic rules, most of them common to both environments, but there are some more specific recommendations that we must not miss so as not to get scared. These are our tips to make the most of the beach and pool without risk.
-
Protect yourself from the heat. When you are not soaking and the sun is beating down hard, high temperatures can adversely affect your health. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid the central hours of the day to go to the beach or the pool and always do it in a place that has the possibility of shade (trees, umbrellas …).
-
Make sure you bring water or you will be able to get more water wherever you go. Good hydration prevents problems such as heat stroke, so this combined measure together with the previous one will keep us at an adequate temperature.
-
Good sun protection is essential, since during pregnancy you have to sunbathe with caution. And don’t forget that, in the water, the sun also hits the skin.
-
Swim in shallow areas, so that you can stand up when you want, in case you get tired when swimming, you get a wave … and prevent the risk of drowning.
-
We can snorkel or dive on the surface, but diving with deep dives is discouraged, as it can pose serious risks to the health of the baby.
-
Do not bathe in the sea if there is danger of jellyfish, if there is a red flag or if the sea is bad, if there is a lot of waves …
-
Water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, water skiing … are not recommended due to the risk of falls, trauma …
-
When getting into the water, be careful when walking with the irregularities in the bottom, the holes … The same if you walk along the shore.
-
During trips, we have to make sure that the bathing in waters of beaches (lakes …) that we do not know are not contaminated, or that the pools are sufficiently clean and cared for. We are going to focus on the tips for swimming pools below.
Pool tips
The pool is a great ally during pregnancy, it is the ideal way to cool off, to practice exercise such as swimming … But it also involves some risks that we must take into account in order to prevent them.
-
Be careful when walking to the edge of the pool or near it , the floor can be slippery due to the presence of water and if you are in the final stretch of pregnancy, with the center of gravity changed (and you may not easily see what step on your feet) the risk of falls increases.
-
Try to shower after bathing to remove traces of chlorine from skin and hair, and apply a moisturizer after showering.
-
Wear flip flops to walk around the pool and to shower.
-
Avoid using the trampoline and generally doing “stunts.”
-
Diving into the water with force can cause water to enter the vagina and although the baby is well protected by the mucous plug that closes the cervix and membranes, if the loss of the mucous plug has occurred at the end of pregnancy, it is better to avoid it to prevent infection.
By following these simple guidelines to safely enjoy the beach and the pool during pregnancy , the heat typical of this time of year will be more bearable and we will have a better memory of the summer we spent pregnant.
Photos | iStock
In Babies and more | How To Survive These Pregnancy Heats: Seven Cool Tips, Pool Exercise During Pregnancy: Tips
