Does it help with the birth? | Water gymnastics for pregnant women

Does it help with the birth?

Water gymnastics helps especially to prevent or relieve typical “pregnancy complaints”. Pregnant women often suffer from back or neck pain, which can be improved by specific exercises in the water. The women can also benefit from the relaxation exercises.

These provide for a reduction of stress or promote stress reduction . During the birth itself, the breathing exercises rehearsed in water gymnastics can be helpful. In some studies it was shown that participation in an aqua-gym course for pregnant women was generally associated with a reduced use of painkillers during birth. This is attributed to the comparatively “more relaxed” posture of the mother giving birth.

Which pregnant women should not go to water gymnastics?

If pregnancy is uncomplicated, participation in water gymnastics is possible without hesitation. If women in early pregnancy have had to deal with bleeding or “waving similar” cramps, the doctor should be consulted before taking the course. Furthermore, women in the last 4 weeks before the date of birth are rather advised against participation. This is because during this time the cervix can already open and water or the germs contained in it can penetrate.

Costs

The courses usually comprise 10 dates, which take place once a week. Depending on the place of residence, the costs are about 80-100 Euro. It is worthwhile to consult your health insurance company in advance regarding the coverage of costs.Some health insurance companies cover the costs/partial costs of participation in water gymnastics for pregnant women as part of prenatal care.

Although the health insurance covers the costs for birth preparation, water gymnastics rather falls under the category “additional measures”. Some health insurance companies cover the costs or part of the costs for such additional programs. Pregnant women who wish to attend an aqua-gymnastics course are best advised to ask their insurance company in advance. Otherwise the costs have to be paid by the pregnant woman herself. Depending on the place of residence and a course of about 10 hours of water gymnastics, the costs amount to about 80-100 Euro.