Aqua mama

Source: www.jccsf.org

When I was pregnant with Miss L I practiced yoga everyday and was enjoying headstands (against a wall of course!) up until delivery. This time around I can't get enough of the pool.

We joined the Jewish Community Center, which is just three blocks from our house. I love that I can walk over in a few minutes (especially when I feel I am always running late trying to get out of the house with a toddler). Our family membership is the same cost as my single membership was at Equinox so I feel like I am getting great value for our money. Miss L and I have created a nice pool routine that we share together twice a week.

After breakfast on Tuesdays and Thursdays we put our suits on and pack our swim bag and head off to the JCC. I take Miss L to the children's pool (which is heated to a lovely 90 degrees) from 8:00 to 9:00. She practices paddling, kicking and putting her head under water (her favorite thing to do right now). The more we go the more comfortable Miss L has become in the water. Today she started walking around the shallow end scooping up the pool toys and dipping her head under water on her own. Of course, I am always at arms-length to be safe. We also spend some time hanging out on the steps playing with plastic whales and turtles and pool rings. We also blow bubbles, sing songs and do a few seated jumps into the water from the side of the pool.

After pool time, Miss L loves to have her own shower to rinse off. We get changed (while Miss L chats it up with the other women in the locker room, saying "pool" and pretending to blow bubbles) and then we head over to JCC's cafe and have a snack. Then I drop her off at the JCC child care for some play time while I get to have my own time in the pool.

I take an hour long prenatal aqua class. It takes place in the deep end of the adult pool (not quite as warm at 80 degrees, but once you start moving it feels just perfect). We wear little flotation devices that fit right under the shoulder bones on the back with a belt that snaps in the front and sits right above the pregnant belly. This gives a great feeling of buoyancy in the water. The class is spent moving up and down the length of the pool doing cross country, running, breaststrokes with bicycle legs as well as some stationary work like side kicks, jumping jacks with weights and wide-leg pedaling.

The classes are taught by two doulas so when we aren't too out of breath we discuss our pregnancies and questions/thoughts on labor and delivery. The class is a nice mix of regulars, including first-time and second-time moms. After class we often go to the warmer children's pool to stretch, hang out and talk about maternity clothes and what we are going to eat for lunch after class.

When I pick up Miss L from child care she is happy from the full morning and ready for her midday nap by the time we arrive home. By noon she is asleep in her room and I can prepare my lunch and read the Times (Thursdays being the best with House & Home and Styles).

I just love how my body feels after spending most of the morning in the water. I feel refreshed and relaxed. I feel more energized later in the day to take Miss L to the playground. And I sleep so soundly at night.

For all of the pregnant mamas, I highly recommend booking some pool time this summer!