- The Ribera Imske hospital offers a swimming program for pregnant women in its heated pool with natural light in small groups, guided by midwife Elena Pajuelo, who also answers their questions during the session.
- Women exercise safely in the water to stay fit and also to condition their pelvis for childbirth, improve aerobic capacity and promote a smoother recovery.
Hospital Imske Riverbank It organizes a swimming program for pregnant women designed to support them during this stage, combining safe physical exercise, specific bodywork for childbirth, and an important emotional component. The sessions are taught and guided by a midwife. Elena PajueloThis allows for professional monitoring of women during this important stage of their lives before, during, and after each class.
Water exercise offers particularly beneficial benefits during pregnancy. “In the pool, the body floats, there’s no pain, and everything is easier,” explains Pajuelo, who also highlights the amenities of the facility in Ribera Imske. “The water is warm, there’s natural light, and the changing rooms are very comfortable,” she explains. Aquatic exercise, she adds, “facilitates general physical conditioning without impact, with special attention to pelvic mobility, breathing, and aerobic capacity—fundamental aspects for being in better condition for childbirth and promoting a smoother recovery for the mother after the baby is born.”
The sessions include exercises adapted to each stage of pregnancy, starting in the first trimester—walking, gentle jogging, jumping, or breathing exercises—and no swimming skills are necessary. “Everything is geared towards ensuring the woman feels strong until the very last day of pregnancy, facilitating the most favorable physical conditions for childbirth, so that she recovers better afterward. The difference in how women who have done guided water exercises arrive at the delivery room is very noticeable,” the midwife points out.
The program is open to women from the first trimester until practically the day of delivery, provided there is no medical contraindication. “They can start whenever they want and continue until the end. Many even come in the final days because the water allows them to move comfortably,” Pajuelo adds.
The groups are small, with a maximum of 11 or 12 women, which allows for close and personalized attention. Elena Pajuelo explains that pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy participate in the same class, creating a supportive environment that benefits them all. At the end of each session, there is a guided meditation and relaxation time, during which conversations, questions, and shared emotions arise. "This emotional support and the opportunity to consult with the midwife before and after the exercise is one of the program's greatest advantages," she emphasizes.
Health professionals recommend exercising two or three days a week, ideally with at least two sessions in a pool. At Ribera Imske, the program is organized twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 12 to 13 pm, with the flexibility for women to join at any time and adjust the frequency to their personal circumstances.
Registrations can be made through the website You can contact the professional directly. A free trial class is available so expectant mothers can learn about the program and experience the benefits of aquatic exercise during pregnancy in a safe environment with a qualified professional.
