swimming shyness at 38 weeks

is anyone else a bit self conscious about swimming?  i've been going swimming throughout my pregnancy about 2wice a week and am a member of a swimming centre which is a 10 min walk away-all very good for me and baby i know.  however, when i last went to the pool on monday, i suddenly felt very vulnerable and exposed-like everyone was looking at me (i'm sure they were not).  imagine how embarassing it would be if i lost my mucus plug or had a bloody show while in the pool!  i love the swimming part-its just the walking in and out of the pool area that i can't stand.  as i'm now in week 39 and the baby's head is engaged in my pelvis, do u think its time to stop swimming?  

[kellym]

The only concern I would have about swimming is if you are dialated. I believe you are not supposed to swim for fear of infection. You may want to consult your OB on this one.

[emmahope]

Thanks for your reply.
Thats a good point about the dilation issue.  the thing is i'm not sure if i'm dilated or not as here in the uk i don't think they do an internal exam unless they feel its necessary.  the advice ive had is not to swim if my waters break as theres a high risk of infection but i wish i did know if i was dilated!  my midwife advised swimming when i saw her recently so i guess its ok.  having said that i don't think i'll be doing much more swimming now until baby comes, as its getting harder to find the motivation.

[tmv]

Swimming is fine as long as your water has not broke. Keep on swimming and be proud of that belly! People do stare, but they are just amazed at what the body can do. Don't let it bother you. It is very good exercise and it helps with back discomfort plus keeps you cool in the hot days of summer. A lot of women do not actually see the "mucous plug". I've had 2 and not one time did I see it. Others say it come in pieces or all at once. Your swimsuit would trap it. Of course, if you're laboring, I wouldn't be in a public pool incase my water broke bc of infection, but I'm sure you know that.

[RockRose]

I agree,  swimming is fine as long as your water hasn't broken.  

I remember feeling just like you do now,  very ungainly and suddenly vulnerable.  I remember thinking if someone were to chase me (who would??)  I couldn't get away because I'm a big huge beached whale.

This too shall pass.  ;D  It's great that you are still swimming.   The more limber and mobile you are going into labor the better.

[kellym]

Oh Yeah, now I remember. I think they didn't want me to swim because I wouldn't be able to tell if my water had broke. That makes a little more sense. I bet you look Great!

[chiromom]

I was a competitive swimmer in college.  When I was eight months pregnant I was doing laps of freestyle and breaststroke next to this middle aged man.  The only thing I modified, was I stopped doing flip turns.  So, I was swimming faster than this man.  It was priceless to see this mans jaw drop when I got out of the pool with this big old belly.  I wonder if he went home and told his wife that this big old preggie was swimming faster than him in the pool.  Bask in the glory of your pregnancy - and enjoy the water unless you are leaking fluid or your water breaks.  If this is your first pregnancy, you are less likely to be dilated.  If this is baby 2 or 3, I would be a little more cautious about the dilation.

[2ndBaby]

This doesn't address the health issue, but as far as body-image-consciousness goes...

I am in my 32nd week and feel big as a whale.  I've lamented many times here about the weight that I have gained.  My DH has this thing against tankini swim suits, so I've always had bikinis, including now that I am pregnant.  When I was thin, it wasn't as much of an issue for me, but I've felt really ungainly at the pool lately-like everything was 'hanging out.'  Twice in the last week strangers have made me feel GREAT, though!  Last Thursday at the pool, a thin mom with small children came up and asked me about the pregnancy and told me how cute I looked and how much she admired pregnant women who were able to show off (and I know she meant it in a good way).  On Saturday we were at a waterpark, and another mom came up to me to tell me that she thought I looked great in my bikini.  I don't say these things to brag, because I sure don't feel the same as they do, but they made me feel so good.  I guess my point is that we should be proud of our miraculous bodies...more people admire them than you would ever guess!

[AnnieBrooke]

I remember feeling vulnerable towards the end of my pregnancy, not physically but emotionally.  I didn't want to go places unless my husband went also, and so forth.  I think we're just programmed to feel this way so we will take it a little easier at the end, so we are safe.  

[taysmommy]

well i am no where near 38 weeks (i wish) im 28 now and i have been taking my dd to a local water park (well not really a theme park, its a big pool with a bunch of kiddy waterfalls and sprays and such, and a few slides) well its the only one where we live, and i could swear a million people are there all day long

well anyways i took my dd last week and decided for the first time i would join her and her dad in the pool, i brought my bathing suit (bikini mind you) which i havent wore this pregnancy so far, put it on and it looked like a string bikini, my butt grew about 5 sizes and i realised for the first time that i didnt have the body of a 18 year old anymore lol, well embarassed as i was i went out into the pool, mortified and i thought everyone was staring, (i would if i were them too)

just wanted to share my story, im not near the end of the pregnancy, and im already feeling like you do

[emmahope]

well i went for a nice swim yestersay-didn't overdo it though.  its funny cos throughout my pregnancy ive amazingly managed to wear the same swimsuit i had pre-pregnancy.  i must say though that if i got any bigger i'd definately have to buy a bigger size!  what really surprises me is that despite being so heavily pregnant and consciously slowing down my swimming pace, i seem to swim faster than most people in the 'medium' lane.  either they are super slow or i'm super fit! lol!

thanks for the advice everyone.  i'm glad i'm not the only one with these big belly feelings.