Water Aerobics During Pregnancy

By Michele Batz
Special For eFitness

I was pregnant with my first child in the fall of 1995. Being a physical education major, group fitness instructor, swimming teacher and a water aerobics instructor, I knew exactly what to do... or so I thought.

Being pregnant threw me a curve ball on my 127-pound frame! In the first trimester I continued to run on the road, teach step aerobics, water aerobics and enjoy the little life that was growing inside of me. But towards the end of the first trimester I had to cut my runs down to walks around the neighborhood.

My shins were rebelling, and I developed shin splints due to the weight gain. Still working full time at our local park district, by the end of my day I would sit down on the sofa to give myself a break. Thirty minutes later, I would wake up from a nap that was unexpected. I napped at least once every day during that third month of pregnancy.

The first thing to remember is to listen to your body. If you have been exercising all your life, you will know the signs immediately. Your body will tell you when to slow down; when to cut back on the workouts. You will not recover as quickly after a workout or you may find yourself being tired, so do cut back. Remember, you are making a whole human being inside that body of yours, so take good care of it.

To those moms who want to start an exercise program and have never set foot outside their door, please discuss this with your doctors first as they know your history and can give you guidelines. You need to educate yourself, and a good way to get started is to have that conversation with your doctor.

What I found to be my salvation during this time in my life was water aerobics. It's a unique class that will not only do great things for your baby but as the months progress and your body grows, the water lets you feel free. The water enables you to feel light on your feet again. For one hour, twice a week, your body does not feel pregnant in water. I know this from firsthand experience! I taught water aerobics for our park district for 14 years, and while pregnant this class was, as I said, my salvation.

You see, as I stated earlier, pregnancy threw my body a curve ball. I was always in control of my weight. But, then I became pregnant. I felt as if I had no more control! And I didn't with our son. I gained 70 pounds during that nine-month period. My self-esteem started to decline. Granted, I was so happy to be pregnant, but not happy with the way I looked. Of course, family members made comments on the weight. I became so focused on the comments that I started not enjoying the experience of being pregnant.

I am here to tell you today, do not let this happen to you. Enjoy this time of your life and if comments are made, stick up for yourself and say something. Enroll in fitness classes for pregnant women. You will find all the support, compassion and expertise that you need during this time. Stay out there and know that you are bringing new life into the world, and embrace it.

If you start feeling that you are gaining too much weight, that is between yourself and your doctor. Turn a deaf ear to those around you who may make comments about your weight.

The big curve ball for me was that in my eighth month, I developed hypertension preeclampsia. That is why I looked like I was carrying so much weight, and it caused my body to swell. My doctor informed me that the last month, he wanted me to lie down on my left-hand side and stay there -- no work, no laundry, no anything. This was a shock to both my husband and me because I was so active all the time. But I listened to my doctor, and we had a healthy 7.8 pound, baby boy.

You have to stay joyful; focus on the outcome, but above all, register for that water aerobics class in your neighborhood. It will make you feel wonderful, and it is beneficial for both you and your baby.

Michele Batz is a physical education teacher at Kenneth Murphy Elementary in Beach Park, Illinois. Her book, What's Holding You Back? A Woman's Beginning Guide to Fitness is available on www.nightengalepressbiz.com or www.amazon.com 

Feel free to contact her at mbatz78@hotmail.com