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You don't need to book places on the class or attend every week
- just come along and join us.
Aquanatal classes are designed for healthy pregnant women who don't
have complications in their antenatal period. Our health questionnaire
(Acrobat
PDF) helps us advise you whether the classes will be safe for
you. If you are worried that an existing or past health problem
might be a reason not to attend, please have a word with your midwife,
hospital doctor or general practitioner (GP). If your health condition
changes at any time, please let your midwife know about this before
attending the class.
The following information will help you to get the maximum enjoyment
and benefit from the class and keep you and your baby safe.
Preparing for your class:
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You will need to bring your usual swimming clothes. We advise
you to wear a bra underneath your swimwear for extra support.
You can wear a T-shirt over your swimwear if you wish.
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Read and complete the aquanatal health questionnaire (Acrobat
PDF) before the class. Bring it to your first class and
give it to the midwife taking the class before changing. The
form is for your safety and the record will remain confidential.
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Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of your
first class to discuss your health with the midwife instructor
before changing. Please also let us know if you have any special
needs.
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If there are any changes in your health or pregnancy, however
insignificant, please discuss these with the midwife instructors.
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Please do not eat a big meal during the three hours before
class.
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Please feel free to ask the midwife instructor any questions
either before or after the class.
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Please shower before entering the pool.
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Please go to the toilet immediately before entering the pool.
Once you are in the pool, you might have the urge to go to the
toilet more frequently than usual during your pregnancy. This
is a normal effect of immersion in water. These effects will
probably last for several hours after leaving the pool. If you
need to leave the class during the session, please don't run
out - it is safest for you to gently and gradually decrease
the intensity of your exercise and slowly leave the pool. Please
shower again before re-joining the group in the pool.
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Pools can be humid, so please bring a plastic bottle of water
to keep by the side (for safety reasons, please do not bring
glass into the pool area).
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It is also important to drink plenty of water after the class.
During the class
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You will be encouraged to work at the exercises sensibly and
to your own pace and level. The class is not a competition and
don't be afraid to decrease your own exercise level until you
are comfortable.
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Please don't work to the point of exhaustion.
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If you are feeling tired, gradually lessen the intensity of
your exercises and then stop if you need to.
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Let the instructor know if you have had enough and wish to
leave the class.
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If you feel dizzy or particularly hot or cold, please let the
instructor know.
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Remember the safest way to exercise, especially when you are
pregnant, is to take regular, moderate exercise. Exercise movements
should look and feel 'normal'. It is best to make progression
in a moderate and sensible way.
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The most important thing is to enjoy the class and have fun.
Also on this website:
Aquanatal health questionnaire (Acrobat
PDF)
Frequently asked questions about
aquanatal classes
Notes before your first aquanatal
class
Where are aquanatal classes held
in and around Cambridge
Comments about aquanatal
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