Many expecting moms tell us floating is one of the most comfortable hours of their week, 
so it’s not surprising to see a growing trend in floating while pregnant. Some come for a break from back discomfort, while others just love the quiet time to connect with their baby without anything else around to distract them.
The rise in floating while pregnant has sparked some questions. While medical questions are best left to your doctor, we wanted to provide some tips for one of the most common queries we hear: how can I comfortably float while pregnant?
First, it goes without saying that you should definitely check with your doctor before floating, just in case you may have some unique contraindications that prevent the below advice from applying to you.
Your provider can tell you which positions are right for you. Lying flat on your back is often discouraged later in pregnancy, and there isn’t research on whether floating changes that — so ask your OB or midwife specifically about floating on your back, and use the belly-down positions below if you’re unsure.*
Comfortable Positions for Pregnant Floaters
At Lost in Float you’ll have one of our two private float suites to yourself, with about 1,300 lbs of Epsom salt keeping the water dense and buoyant at 93.5°F. Successfully accomplishing the following positions will depend on factors such as height, body type, and ultimately personal preference, so take them as general suggestions and starting points to find what works for you.
Floating belly down can be a real release of pressure during pregnancy: a lot of the weight of the growing uterus pushes against the mother’s organs, and letting the salt water support this weight for a 60-minute float can be quite blissful.
One position that pregnant floaters report as comfortable is laying on their belly while they float, with their arms across or under a pool noodle, and the noodle under the chin to keep their face out of the water. Even if you fall into a much-needed nap during your float, your head will remain supported by the noodle.
You may also be comfortable simply crossing your arms under your chin and floating belly down in the water, resting your head on your forearms to keep your face dry. This is very similar to floating with a pool noodle and might be preferable for some.
Another suggestion for floating belly down in the water is to put your elbows on the floor of the tank and cradle your chin in your hands. The water is shallow — roughly the length of many people’s forearms, so it may be possible for you to keep your face dry and mouth comfortably out of the water. Some floaters say this is a really satisfying position that also provides a great stretch to the spine.
As far as tips for floating on your back (once you’ve gotten your doctor’s approval), you could use a noodle or inflatable pillow under your lower back, though many people find the Epsom salt holds them up comfortably on its own.
Potential Concerns
The conditions of every pregnancy can be different and all expecting mothers should seek the approval of their doctor before floating.
Some sources recommend waiting until after the first trimester to float. There’s very little research either way, so this is a good question to bring to your OB or midwife — they know your pregnancy and can tell you when floating makes sense for you.
Definitely take all of the information presented in this blog post with a grain of salt, and make sure that you consult your doctor before making any decisions. Many moms who float with their provider’s OK tell us it’s a real load off – both the body and mind. When you’re ready, you can book a 60-minute float ($75) at our Lincoln NE location.
Here’s a link over to a personal blog about floating while pregnant as well, the author of which this post was adapted from.