Can You Go Swimming While Pregnant?
Yes — swimming is one of the best exercises in pregnancy: low-impact, gentle on your joints, and safe throughout.
The full answer
Swimming and water aerobics are widely recommended in pregnancy. The water supports your growing bump, takes pressure off your back and joints, and lets you stay active comfortably even late on, while still giving your heart and muscles a good workout. It can also ease swelling and help you sleep. Public and properly maintained pools are fine — the chlorine isn't a concern. A few sensible points: take care on slippery poolsides, don't dive or jump in from a height, and avoid very hot pools or hot tubs, since overheating (not the swimming) is the real risk. Scuba diving is the one water activity to avoid entirely in pregnancy. Otherwise, swim as often as you like, listening to your body.
How to go swimming safely
- Swim or try aqua-natal classes throughout pregnancy — it's low-impact
- Take care on slippery edges; don't dive or jump from a height
- Avoid very hot pools/hot tubs and scuba diving
When to avoid: Avoid scuba diving entirely, and stay out of the water if your waters have broken or you have bleeding or an infection.
Swimming by trimester
| Stage | What changes |
|---|---|
| First trimester | Generally encouraged from the start. It's one of the few activities that stays comfortable throughout, and the water takes load off joints that are already being affected by hormonal changes. |
| Second trimester | Often the point where swimming becomes most valuable, as back and pelvic pain start and land-based exercise gets less comfortable. Nothing about the guidance changes. |
| Third trimester | Still encouraged, and often the only exercise that feels genuinely good this late — the buoyancy offsets the weight. Stop swimming if your waters have broken, and skip hot pools. |
Common questions about swimming in pregnancy
Is chlorine in pools safe during pregnancy?
Normally chlorinated pools are not considered a problem in pregnancy, and swimming is widely recommended as exercise. If a pool smells strongly of chemicals that usually indicates poor maintenance rather than more chlorine, which is a reason to swim elsewhere.
Can I swim in the sea or a lake?
Open water is generally fine where the water quality is good and the conditions are safe. The considerations are practical ones — currents, cold shock, and getting in and out safely with a changed centre of gravity — rather than pregnancy-specific.
When should I stop swimming?
If your waters have broken, stop, because of infection risk. Otherwise most people swim comfortably until late in pregnancy. Get out if you feel faint, have contractions, or notice bleeding, and mention any of those to your provider.
Staying safe and active in pregnancy
Most “can I do this?” questions in pregnancy come down to three things. Overheating — anything that pushes your core temperature above about 102°F (39°C), like hot tubs, saunas, and very hot baths — is best avoided, especially in the first trimester. Impact and balance — falls, contact sports, and jarring, high-force rides are the reason some activities are off-limits later on. And infection or absorption — the reason tattoos and some treatments call for caution. Set against that, movement is actively encouraged: about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week is recommended in a healthy pregnancy. When in doubt about your situation, your midwife or provider is the final word.
For the full picture, see our pregnancy safety guide, and track your pregnancy with the How Far Along Am I? calculator and the week-by-week guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you go swimming while pregnant?
- Yes — swimming is one of the best exercises in pregnancy: low-impact, gentle on your joints, and safe throughout. Swimming and water aerobics are widely recommended in pregnancy. The water supports your growing bump, takes pressure off your back and joints, and lets you stay active comfortably even late on, while still giving your heart and muscles a good workout. It can also ease swelling and help you sleep. Public and properly maintained pools are fine — the chlorine isn't a concern. A few sensible points: take care on slippery poolsides, don't dive or jump in from a height, and avoid very hot pools or hot tubs, since overheating (not the swimming) is the real risk. Scuba diving is the one water activity to avoid entirely in pregnancy. Otherwise, swim as often as you like, listening to your body.
- Why is swimming considered safe in pregnancy?
- Swimming and water aerobics are widely recommended in pregnancy. The water supports your growing bump, takes pressure off your back and joints, and lets you stay active comfortably even late on, while still giving your heart and muscles a good workout. It can also ease swelling and help you sleep. Public and properly maintained pools are fine — the chlorine isn't a concern. A few sensible points: take care on slippery poolsides, don't dive or jump in from a height, and avoid very hot pools or hot tubs, since overheating (not the swimming) is the real risk. Scuba diving is the one water activity to avoid entirely in pregnancy. Otherwise, swim as often as you like, listening to your body.
- When should I avoid swimming during pregnancy?
- Avoid scuba diving entirely, and stay out of the water if your waters have broken or you have bleeding or an infection.