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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Jane McGuire

Is swimming safe during pregnancy?

A photo of a pregnant woman on the side of the pool.

When it comes to exercising with a bump, things can feel overwhelming. We don’t need to tell you there’s a long list of things you shouldn’t do when you’re pregnant — from how much coffee to drink, to which side you should sleep on at night. That said, for most women, the general advice is to still aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity when pregnant. So you might be wondering if swimming is safe during pregnancy? 

In a nutshell, yes. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say that swimming is one of the safest forms of exercise to do during pregnancy. (Just note that this doesn’t include scuba diving.) Unlike other forms of cardio, swimming is low-impact, making it gentler on the body than jogging or cycling. Below, we’ve spoken to an expert to help you separate fact from fiction, before getting into the pool.  

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