Swimming is said to be a great exercise – and that includes pregnant women. Over the years, pregnant women have become more conscious of their health and are always on the look-out for ways to keep fit without harming the baby in their womb.

A woman who is pregnant always gets a lot of advice on how to take care of herself during her pregnant state. One customary advice is to refrain from doing anything strenuous like exercises that can cause untintentional harm to your baby. Low impact exercises, like swimming, are the best alternatives for pregnant women if they do want to keep healthy and fit.

Swimming, due to the buoyancy of the body in the water, is a very low impact exercise that it has always been suggested as a form of therapy for injured athletes and for old people. So there is no reason why pregnant women should not go for a swim if they want to exercise.

Pregnant women have in reality reported that they experienced less discomfort in the last trimester of their pregnancy when they regularly swam. You just have to reduce the number of laps you normally do but otherwise, you can swim as much as you like even during your pregnant state.

There are however precautions that the mother-to-be should keep in mind. Pregnant women should keep themselves well-hydrated everytime they go for a swim. Make sure that you drink one glass of water before swimming, one glass of water every 20 minutes for the whole duration of your swim, and one glass of water after you get out of the pool.

The second precautionary step is making sure that she does not accidentally ingest any pool water because of the presence of swimming pool chemicals. As much as possible, pick an outdoor pool, which has been treated with pool chemicals, to make sure that there is good ventilation compared to an indoor pool.

If you are taking a swim but suddenly feel different than normal, it is to your advantage that you get out of the pool at once, rinse off any swimming pool chemical by-products, and get to a well-ventilated area.

Swimming is said to have positive effects on the human body – a fact that has been proven over the years by scientists and health enthusiasts. Swimming helps tone the body’s muscles but without incurring injuries compared to potential injuries when incorrectly performing land-based exercises.

Your lungs can be strengthened by taking a swim since deep breathing is required to be able to swim beneath the water and not come up for air as much as possible.

Athletes suffering from sports injuries are highly recommended to perform low impact water-based exercises, including swimming, to slowly nurse their body back into good health.

There is one thing on the other hand that you should need to carefully consider – and that is your body’s reaction to the swimming pool chemicals that are added to help keep the pool clean and sanitized for human use.

There have been instances that the frequently used chemical chlorine can cause redness of the skin, difficulty in breathing, and itchiness. This sort of reaction by your body may mean that you are allergic to chlorine. Bromine tablets can be used as an alternative to chlorine, this may help; recurring exposure to something you are allergic to, can cause rashes or skin irritation.

Studies have shown that chlorine-treated pools tend to yield chlorine by-products once chlorine combines with the organic wastes that are introduced by the swimmers themselves. The chlorine by-products are quite toxic and are harmful to humans. There have been cases where the swimmer suddenly feels the start of an asthma attack. Bromine can also have an effect when used at higher than the recommended dosage. Headaches, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and skin irritation are signs and symptoms brought about by bromine.

It would be in your best interest to attempt and find an alternative to bromine- or chlorine-based pool chemicals if you own the pool you are swimming in and are starting to exhibit allergic symptoms. Examples of the substitutes to swimming pool chemicals are ultraviolet and ozone technology. If you frequent public swimming pools, be sure to appropriately wash and rinse off the swimming pool chemicals from your skin.

Don’t get me wrong, swimming is even now a healthy form of recreation and there really is no need to worry as long as you take the precautionary steps to maintaining your health.

If you adore pools that have been naturally created then you would also love the idea that you can rebuild their natural look in your very own swimming pool. These are not only made to look like a natural pool of water aesthetically but they really become natural pools of water because the way it has been set up.

Aquatic plants are strategically placed in designated areas of the pool so that a natural filtration system occurs making this swimming pool very eco-friendly. One simply needs to make sure that it is correctly set-up (there are online do-it-yourself instructions (motherearthnews.com or greenyour.com) and experts (totalhabitat.com or wholewatersystems.com) available) for a mini-ecosystem to be built that would soon be up and running in no time.

The water in the pool is clean and safe even if one inadvertently drinks it while swimming. You won’t even taste the difference because it does taste like water. You may even notice that there is no artificial or chemical smell that one would often encounter when swimming pool chemicals are added to the pool water. In case you accidentally drink the pool water there is also no artificial taste. These swimming pool chemical products have been reported to have negative side effects on the swimmers (for example, chlorine can set off asthma attacks not to mention the fact that it can really damage your hair).

You may say, “I can’t put in another pool in my backyard since I already have one.” Don’t worry about it because your pool can be transformed into a natural pool. The amount you’ll be spending if you have a natural pool and a standard swimming pool installed is almost similar. Did I mention that you don’t need a big space for it to look stunning?

Here are the steps on how the natural pool is made:

1. A hole is dug in the ground depending on the shape that you want it to be.
2. The pool is sealed using bentonite clay or reinforced black polyethylene.
3. Cover the bottom of the pool with gravel that has been cleaned.
4. Rocks and aquatic plants work as natural filters by strategically placing them in a shallow area that is positioned at the edge or even around the pool to give water the freedom of movement.
5. A pump circulates the water while skimmers and filters keep the wastes under control.
6. Ultraviolet light is an optional addition to further cleanse the water.

Just imagine, you only need to walk a few steps to your backyard to experience nature’s pool at its very best without those annoying pool chemicals to greet your sense of smell. Heaven isn’t it?

There have been reported cases of swimmers and swimming pool employees experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, or asthma. Skin irritation and rashes have also been observed among habitual swimmers. Studies and research (nhs.uk/news/2009/09September and swimming.about.com) were conducted because the number of reported cases was considered significant.

Chlorine was identified as the cause of the problem and that the severity of the asthma attack is dependent on how much chlorine is applied. Hold on! Don’t work yourself into a turmoil instead you should read this article then be the one to decide if there really is a reason to worry.

Chlorine-based pool chemicals are the most frequently used to clean, sanitize, and disinfect public and private swimming pools. Unknown to the general population, however, these chlorine-based pool chemicals can have an undesirable side effect on the human body. Unfortunately, you don’t even have to be actually swimming in the pool to experience the side effects. Just being near a swimming pool treated with chlorine can also give a similar result especially if there is poor ventilation like those for indoor pools.

Chlorine is thought to be the reason but if one wants to be more specific it is actually chlorine that is combined with organic wastes. Toxic chlorine by-products are created by the combination of chlorine and organic wastes. These include aldehydes, chloroform, chloramines, and nitrogen trichloride.

One can use bromine tablets as another type of swimming pool chemical in addition to constantly and closely monitoring the pool’s chlorine concentration.

Now you know that if you or anyone you know begin to experience shortness of breath during swimming, getting out of the pool is the best choice. Try to find a spot where you can breathe in fresh air then go for a refreshing shower to wash your body of any chlorine by-product.

Tip:To make efficient use of your swimming pool chemicals, managing good water balance is the main factor

You must be familiar with the way your pool or spa works before adding any pool chemical Good water circulation and filtration are essential to achieving a safe and clear bathing environment.

The first step in treatment is to ensure good water balance, which will create the right conditions for bather comfort, chemical efficiency and equipment protection. There are three major factors affecting water balance, they are pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness

Calcium hardness

Hardness depends on the levels of calcium salt in your water. This depends on where you live Low calcium hardness levels (soft water) can lead to corrosion of the materials of construction. Hard water (water high in calcium) can lead to limescale foriming in your pipes and equipment
these are guideline levels
•    Ideal calcium hardness levels are between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
•    When the level is below 75 ppm (mg/l), use Hardness Plus
•    If the level exceeds 200 ppm (mg/l), apply Scale Inhibitor.

pH

pH can range from 1 to 14 where 1 is very acid and 14 very alkaline It is essential to maintain spa water within the 7.2 – 7.6 range which, because it is slightly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and provide the perfect environment for the swimmers enjoying the pool or spa and also ensures  the best chemical efficiency.
•    Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
•    When the measurement drops below use pH Plus
•    If the measurement is above 7.6 use pH Minus
Note
pH can be hard to control in spas because the system water turns over fast, is very agitated and is at higher temperature than swimming pools. [All these factors

pH rises can be caused by this which causes chlorine products such as chlorine granules to lose effectiveness. Much higher doses of chlorine sanitisers such as will then be required. This can be avoided by using Bromine Tablets, Bromine (HOBr) is a highly effective sanitiser, and it is stable over a much wider pH range than chlorine treatments. Unlike chlorine, bromine keeps working in a spa for longer and so helps you minimise your hot tub chemicaluse

Total Alkalinity

pH Changes are buffered by total alkalinity If TA levels are too low the pH will fluctuate widely.

•    Ideal Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it drops below 80mg/l remedy it with Alkalinity Plus
•    When Total Alkalinity exceeds 140mg/l use pH Minus to reduce it
The balance of the water needs to be monitored regularly because it is essential to the effectiveness of your other treatments

Test Strips/kits are available for you to test the water regularly.

By Pool Chemicals Care , Online Pool Chemicals

Balance

Keeping the right balance of swimming pool chemicals in your water is critical to a healthy pool and having an agreeable swim time after time. The pool will keep looking and smelling inviting and, really critically, bacterial and algae growth will remain at a minimum, this will ensure that neither you nor your pool suffer.

First

The primary step is to make sure that the water has the right mix of chemicals when you fill. A pool chemicals starter kit could be the best option here to be sure you get it right from the beginning, and there are a wide variety available on the market just like the ones we manufacture and distribute from our swimming pool chemicals store.

Keeping Things Going

After this you need to make sure you test using a testing kit. This makes sure you get the right balance of chemicals

{In order to enjoy your swimming pool spa or hot tub it is essential that you test the water on a regular basis and you ensure it is kept in good condition. You can do this by the regular use of swimming pool chemicals. The testing of the pool / spa water will at first seem initimidating, however test kits are easy to use and can be relied on to give fast reliable results. }

The standard tests are
1.     pH
2.     Alkalinity
3.     Sanitiser (Free Chlorine or Bromine)

Additional Investigations
1.     Calcium hardness
2.     Combined chlorine
3.     Copper levels

Visual [InspectionInvestigation]
1.     Check the pool water for clarity, and ensure it is clear.

It is a good practise to always note your results and the chemical additions that you make. Keep a note book with your test kit and chemical treatments.
Don’t Forget to test the water again after the addition of chemicals to ensure you have created the appropriate chemical levels.

* If the water is foggy then it is not safe to swim, swimmers cannot see the bottom and might dive into dangerously shallow water!
* Bathers in difficulty under the surface of thewater will not be seen!
* Foggy water is a sign that there is a problem with the treatment.

Using Sanitisers

Sanitation is the main reason for using swimming pool chemicals. Left not properly treated, a swimming pool can become a breeding ground for bacteria and algae. The algae will affect the pool but the bacteria will make you ill!

The solution is a sanitiser such as Bromine or Chlorine. You will need to ensure that the levelsare maintained at all times and the level should be monitored and topped up weekly or when required. Don’t Forget, if you want to decrease the levels, simply put increased water to your pool to reduce the concentration of the chlorine. There are different choices for delivering the Chlorine to a pool. Try using slow dissolving tablets in conjunction with a chlorinator or, alternatively, a floater. You may need to be very careful that the floater stays in your swimming pool though!

Fortnightly you will also need to dose your swimming pool with extra chemicals to deal with the waste materials left by the Chlorine, i.e. the dead bacteria and algae. Most will, of course, have been removed by your filtration process but some will still be present and decompose creating to unpleasant smells and skin and eye irritation. You will soon tell when this is needed because your water will appear , you can use clarifiers and flocculents to sort this out.

When testing your pool, watch your ph levels. This determines the acidity in your pool. The balance needs to be kept stable to enable the Chlorine to work effectively. After that, an efficient pool filtering system will help you to keep your water clean and sanitary. Which is the key to an enjoyable swim every time!

If you live in the UK, you can  check online for Pool Chemicals at www.onlinepoolchemcials.com where there are great deals at manufacturer prices.