The most important part of exercising while pregnant is choosing the right form of movement for your body and fitness level. Over exerting yourself can be harmful when pregnant and you want to avoid putting too much extra stress on you and your bubba. We suggest opting for workouts that keep intensity to a moderate level, are in an environment you can remain cool and hydrated in and won't put you at risk of hazards such as falling or loss of balance.
In this blog, we will talk through the benefits of movement and prenatal pilates with a qualified pre and postnatal Pilates instructor.
Why do we love pilates during pregnancy?
Lower back pain
During pregnancy, it's important to maintain a strong and stable core as well as maintain your mobility, this will help you manage the added weight of carrying your baby around during and after pregnancy. Lower back pain during pregnancy is super common, one reason for this is that ligaments can become more flexible, which can lead to the lower back and pelvic pain. Lower back pain sucks but strengthening the deeper abdominal muscles can help reduce the likelihood of this or minimise the actual pain. As your baby grows you may find your posture also changing, pilates can help to improve your awareness of your posture, and the added strength will help you carry correct posture through your pregnancy which helps to take pressure off the body.Strong Pelvic Floor
One of the most common reasons I find pregnant women loving pre and postnatal pilates is for the benefits of strengthening their pelvic floor muscles. A strong pelvic floor reduces the likelihood of incontinence and light bladder leakage. Pilates can help to strengthen many of the muscles that sit underneath the pelvis and teach you to engage this area of your body to appropriately manage the pelvic floor during the day. Some of my favourite pelvic floor exercises include- Bridges
- Bird dog
- Kegeles
