Wild swimming while pregnant

I'm not a wild swimmer but I paddle board. However I'm not going to paddle board until my baby arrives. The sewage rates are increasing and have been awful for ages, I'd be devastated if I caught something this summer that hurt my unborn baby. But I live in Berkshire, Scotland may well be different

No. I wouldn't expose my baby to shock of cold as their veins and heart aren't fully developed and that's a risk I wouldn't take. Also, I don't think any cave women would do this and I think that's an intuition strong enough.

Just to add I did a lot of research and it’s very clear that going into cold water will categorically not make your baby cold. Your body stays at an equilibrium - it will pull blood in from your extremities to protect your core if needed. The only risk from cold is if you get hypothermia and your core temp drops. Very unlikely to happen in a careful 10 min dip where you acclimate properly.

I’m an avid wild swimmer but I decided against it whilst I was pregnant. I asked all my maternity care team and no one could answer my safety questions. My pregnancy was solo iui with only a short chance at happening so I was too scared to risk it. Also, we have sewage dumps in wales too so…. 🤢

Some links: https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/swimming-for-two/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CRegarding%20quality%20of%20water%2C%20your,swim%20in%20outside%20of%20pregnancy. https://www.threezero12.co.uk/blog/outdoor-swimming-through-pregnancy https://www.ifwip.org/antenatal-swimming-pregnancy-swimming/

I have done plenty research too. Safe to do and you baby won't experience the cold, just remember that your body doesn't regulate body temperature as well as it would if you were not pregnant so the same with saunas and heat exposure, just be careful, I have done a bit since pregnant and just not doing the same length of time I would normally and make sure you have stuff to warm up after. Enjoy x

Yeah I did throughout, which was oct-july, had to smash our way into the reservoirs at one point! I found it really helped alleviate pregnancy related discomforts, esp towards the end too! I'd just say err on the side of caution re: how long you stay in etc, and perhaps don't put your face in- otherwise enjoy!x

I swam until January and my baby arrived in February… obviously just cold little dips at that point! Xx

I swam whilst I was pregnant but towards the end it was more wild dipping than swimming. I would say the same as what Penny has said, the only thing for me was that I had to consider if I could get back to the car easily if I felt unwell and take some antibac hand gel so your hands are clean when eating cake afterwards x

@Jenna (Jen) I've been hearing so much about that on the news, it's so awful how bad it is down there 😠 And I'm sure it's the exact same in bigger rivers here as well, so definitely worth thinking about! I'm really lucky to be up in the hills where there are plenty of fresh streams/pools so I'll stick to those ☺️

@Penny wow, you look great!! Not even a wetsuit...you are far more hardcore than me 😂🤭 Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely follow those and be a lot more cautious

It's a wonderful feeling and your baby will be just fine 💗

Hey, I actually run a wild swimming group for women and swam the whole way through pregnancy so ask away with any questions - it’s always advised that if you aren’t used to the water temp you avoid completley if it’s under 10 degrees. I’d be really sensible about it and if you are cold get out right away x