An exploration of aquanatal exercise

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Abstract
Aquanatal exercise has been recommended for pregnant women for the beneficial effects of immersion, its joint protective character and its psychological benefits. This research, based in the North West of England, identified the professional backgrounds of those involved delivering sessions, considered training and experience via an examination of current working practices and additionally elicited the views of participants. Midwives, physiotherapists, exercise instructors and swimming instructors were interviewed while the participants answered a short questionnaire. All instructors interviewed considered aquanatal training to be inadequate. Midwifery attendance was seen as important, with instructors appearing to view it as an informal ‘insurance policy’. Aquanatal exercise would benefit from the setting up of a professional, multidisciplinary framework for agreed professional standards of training and development, professional guidelines and a register of qualified instructors. Maximizing interprofessional skills would benefit participants, the status and profile of the service and could help to facilitate further research.

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