Can You Float While Pregnant?

As a woman, one of the biggest life changing events that can happen to you is pregnancy. It affects physical, mental, and emotional states. No two pregnancies are alike, so before we begin we should state that we are not medical professionals and all expecting mothers should seek the approval of their healthcare professional before trying something new, like floating! 

In general, after your first trimester it is safe to float and many have found floating to be a great relief due to the weightlessness of the body while floating.

Pregnancy changes the body and can create discomfort from body aches, swelling, leg cramps, fatigue, and problems sleeping, just to name a few! Float Therapy helps to reduce inflammation and swelling in the body. Floating weightless can ease many of the muscle and joint pains. Emotional states, anxiety, and stress can be positively helped by the lowered brain wave frequencies achieved while floating.

Pregnant women love floating! Floating has been described as feeling like your “back in the mother’s womb”! It is a wonderful way to bond with your baby and some women have reported they could feel and hear the baby’s heartbeat while floating. The quiet of the pod creates a space that enhances a deep connection between baby and mom.

There are a few floating positions that are popular for expecting moms and upon request we can provide extra tools, like a pool noodle, to assist you during your float. Floating on your back, in the traditional floating position, can help decompress the spine and relieve pain caused by carrying added weight. If your lower back is uncomfortable in this position, try adding a pool noodle under your knees or the “halo’ under your lower back.

Another popular floating position during pregnancy is on your stomach, allowing the tummy to hang weightlessly.  With Assistance from a pool noodle you can lay your arms across the noodle and under your chin to keep your face out of the water.