Floating and Pregnancy: 5 Things You Should Know
Ah, the miracle of life.
Pregnancy can be a magical time, to be sure. There’s just something extraordinary about growing a whole new human. Charting the progress, counting the days, preparing space in your home and your life...there’s nothing else quite like it.
Of course, it’s not all pastels and baby showers. It’s also swollen feet, aching backs, sore joints, and intense fatigue. Expectant moms are in for a lot of intense physical changes that can really take a toll on their body in the run-up to their bouncing bundle of joy's arrival. To make matters worse, most OB/GYNs advise against pain relievers - even aspirin - during a pregnancy.
So, what’s a soon-to-be new mom to do?
You probably won’t be surprised to hear that Float Milwaukee has a really good suggestion!
“Can I float while pregnant?” is easily one of the top three questions we get asked. And the answer isn’t just that you CAN float while expecting, but that you really SHOULD.*
Here are five big reasons why:
1.) Floating is completely natural relief.
The list of things your care team (and other moms) say you aren’t supposed to do while pregnant is pretty daunting. Don’t eat sushi. Don’t paint. Don’t change the litter box. Don’t expose yourself to secondhand smoke. Don’t wear heels. Don’t drink coffee.
Well, what CAN I do?!?
You absolutely can float. Floating is a drug-free, no-side-effect, all-natural way to relax, de-stress and relieve pain and pressure on your body and mind. Most floaters report an increased sense of calm, improved well-being, and better sleep - all things that can be tough for expectant moms to come by sometimes.
(And sure, a lot of doctors will tell you to avoid hot tubs or saunas while baby is still busy getting ready. But because our tanks are kept at a neutral body temperature, those warnings don’t apply here.)
2.) Floating is sanitary.
A lot of the recommended pregnancy “don’ts” have been passed down out of concern for cleanliness. Concerns about coming into contact with any sort of impurities in the air, water, or environment turns a lot of moms-to-be into virtual hermits. Many doctors recommend you even avoid coloring your hair because of the chemical agents present in some methods!
But floating is completely safe for you, your body, and your baby.
Reason being, all the water in the tank is purified via a variety of redundant methods. Every drop is treated with UV light, and a hydrogen peroxide solution. Additionally, there are 900 pounds of dissolved Epsom salts in each tank. So the high salinization of the water inhibits most impurities and the peroxide and UV light takes care of the rest.
In a world of finger-wagging “don’t do thats” from well-meaning people, floating is one pregnancy indulgence you can permit yourself without worry.
3.) Floating negates gravity.
Gravity affects us all. But we never feel it more than when we’re literally carrying around a whole extra body in addition to our own.
The gradual, inevitable weight gain that accompanies pregnancy can really do a number on your spine, joints, and muscles. By the third trimester, even getting out of bed can be an effort.
Thankfully, floating can make all of that go away.
Floating is the one therapy that can completely eliminate the effects of gravity. The water is warmed to a level that matches your natural body temperature, and is heavily salinated...so by simply leaning back and letting go, your body is held in something close to suspended animation. You’re held up by a substance specifically designed not to be felt at all. In fact, many floaters describe the experience as being like “drifting in outer space.”
Just imagine - nothing pulling you down. No strain, no compression...only a feeling of stimulus-free calm as your entire body is supported by an invisible, undetectable cushion.
4.) Floating offers essential therapeutic benefit.
As with many essential nutrients and minerals your body needs, magnesium levels can drop during pregnancy.
This is especially worrying since magnesium is one of the most crucial minerals needed for optimal gestation. Key medical studies have shown that supplying the body with extra magnesium during pregnancy can help prevent low birth weight, and preeclampsia.
Additionally, transdermal absorption has been shown to provide your body with greater levels of more easily usable magnesium than oral ingestion.
Which is all just a fancy technical way of saying that the half-ton of dissolved magnesium citrate Epsom salts in each of our float tanks can do more to help your baby’s health than taking a pill with your morning water.
(Oh, and if you’ve ever taken an Epsom soak before, you know how amazing your skin feels afterward. That’s really just an added bonus.)
5.) Floating promotes prenatal bonding via the “Mirror Effect.”
Your baby is floating in total darkness, surrounded by a soft, temperature-neutral bath. All he or she hears is a heartbeat. All they know is calmness and peace.
Why not join them?
Every floater’s experience is different. Still, many moms-to-be talk about how floating helps them experience the same sort of quiet sensory neutrality their baby is. This can form an even stronger bond between moms and their little ones by simulating a shared experience.
Not to mention that because baby is sharing the same biological ecosystem as Mom, any serotonin, oxytocin, and/or endorphins floating may produce for her only result beneficial effects for everyone.
***
Certainly, we recommend floating for anyone experiencing stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and/or a whole host of issues. But clinical studies and customer experiences alike have more than demonstrated to us that pregnancy in particular is an ideal time to float.
*We’d also be remiss in not advising you to always speak with your doctor when entering into any new activity during pregnancy therapeutic or otherwise, and follow the advice of your care team.
So when you’re ready to shut off the pre-birth effects of pain, gravity, and unrest, feel free to drop by. Our friendly, helpful staff is always happy to offer tours, and answer any questions you may have.
See you (and your tiny passenger) soon!
- Your friends at Float
