Pregnancy Pilates
Pregnancy is a remarkable journey filled with anticipation, joy, and significant physical changes. As your body adapts to support new life, maintaining your health and well-being becomes essential.
Did you know that Australian health guidelines suggest pregnant women should engage in 2.5 to 5 hours of exercise per week, including cardio, muscle strengthening, and pelvic floor exercises every day? Are you moving your body enough for a healthy pregnancy?
Pilates (studio) offers numerous scientifically-backed benefits and it is a gentle, yet effective method in a safe environment with instructors guiding every step. Pilates exercises can be modified to suit the changing needs and abilities of pregnant women, making it a versatile and adaptable form of exercise tailored to specific trimesters.
Benefits of Pilates for Pregnant Women:
- Increase core strength and stability:
Pilates emphasizes on core strength, which supports the spine, improves posture, alleviates lower back pain, and can also aid in labor and delivery. Strong core muscles also help decrease the progression of abdominal diastasis and can help at the moment of delivery.
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Improve pelvic floor function:
Pilates includes exercises targeting the pelvic floor muscles, supporting the bladder, uterus, and bowels. Strengthening these muscles can reduce the risk of urinary incontinence during and after pregnancy.
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Improve mobility and balance:
Pregnancy hormones loosen ligaments, increasing susceptibility to injury. Pilates exercises promote flexibility whilst improving stability, thus reducing the risk of strains or injuries and managing changes in posture from the growing abdomen.
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Better mental health and breath control:
Engaging in Pilates can have positive effects on psychological well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and improving mood. It incorporates breathing techniques beneficial during pregnancy and labor, helps managing stress and maintaining oxygen flow to both mother and baby.
While Pilates offers significant benefits, there are important considerations before starting. Particularly if you were sedentary before pregnancy, begin slowly and gradually increase your activity. Consider any risk factors; individual responses to exercise can vary. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, including Pilates. Avoid exercise if you have certain heart or lung diseases, cervical cerclage, placenta previa after 26 weeks, preeclampsia, or severe anemia.
After medical approval for exercise, find a trustworthy instructor and discuss your exercise history, injuries, and any concerns to ensure comfort and safety.
Tips for each Trimester:
First Trimester – Low energy, fatigue, nauseous. Don’t push your limits!
That’s time to educate your movements and breathing techniques, pelvic floor awareness and maintaining your existing fitness levels.
Second Trimester– Most energetic and not many limitations yet.
Your body is changing, but you can still keep your body in movement easily, so it’s time to get stronger! Be aware of balance and alignment as well.
Third Trimester– Tiredness, anxiety and weight gain.
Keep following the current exercise program, but respecting the limitations from the growing belly, tiredness and reduced mobility. Communicate with your instructor about discomforts like back or hip pain.
Postpartum– Follow your health care provider’s advice.
Typically, you can resume exercises around 6 weeks after delivery, but your body takes between 6 months to 1 year to get back to normal.
In conclusion, while Pilates can be safe and effective during pregnancy, it’s crucial to approach it cautiously, seek guidance from a qualified instructor, and ensure it meets your specific health needs and pregnancy status.
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