Prenatal Water Aerobics: Why It's a Great Option for Today's Pregnant Women

When I became pregnant with my first child several years ago, I was a long-distance runner. I continued running, with my doctor's blessing, until experienced some spotting at about six weeks gestation. I set out to find a better way to stay in shape while pregnant, and found it in the  water. Water or aqua aerobics has become an increasingly popular way for pregnant women to get moving.

One of the worst discomforts that pregnant women run into is their increased weight and size. As the months wear on, it's not only difficult to do the things you used to - sometimes it's downright impossible. On top of limited mobility, you overheat more easily, and you may feel like no one around you understands what you're going through. These are all issues that can be solved or improved by involvement in a water aerobics program.

Water is the ultimate anti-gravity medium. When a pregnant woman is in the water, she feels less heavy and can move more easily. This makes water aerobics a low-impact activity for pregnancy-strained muscles and joints. Just the sensation of (near) weightlessness can be relaxing enough - but add a dose of healthy activity to the mix, and you've got a perfect combination. The cool temperature of most pools also helps to prevent overheating during aerobic exercise. And if you sign up for a prenatal water aerobics class at a local pool or community center, you'll likely meet plenty of pregnant women that you can relate to.

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