Pilates pregnancy guide
The Benefits of Pilates during Pregnancy.
The importance of keeping fit during pregnancy is often overlooked. Many women will often stop their exercise routine unsure that it is safe for them to continue. During pregnancy your exercise priorities will change from month to month and you will need to adapt your routine accordingly.
Pilates can be an effective and enjoyable way to exercise throughout your pregnancy and exercises are tailored to suit you. A personal Pilates pregnancy programme can help you to manage the emotional, physical and hormonal changes that will take place, as well as preparing you for the birth and the demands of motherhood.
Your Pilates pregnancy programme will:
- Teach you to relax throughout pregnancy and during the birth.
- Prepare you for labour.
- Strengthen postural muscles to help support baby.
- Help to make your pregnancy more comfortable.
- Develop your body awareness and correct breathing pattern.
Ante-natal courses involve supporting mother and baby through each trimester. During the first trimester mother is encouraged to learn Pilates exercises to help improve posture and lifting techniques to reduce the likelihood of back pain as baby gets bigger.
Throughout the second trimester education continues to correct body alignment, developing pelvic awareness and keeping the stabilising muscles in the tummy conditioned to best support baby.
During the third trimester mother is still exercising and is now encouraged to relax more and concentrate on her breathing technique.
Post-natal Pilates courses start after the 6 week post-natal check.
If you have not been practising Pilates I recommend you wait until after 16 weeks before you start a Pilates pregnancy programme.
After the birth of your baby, post natal Pilates is an effective way to get your tummy muscles and pelvic floor back into shape. You will be very busy with your new baby but it is important that you take time to look after yourself to help you recover from the delivery.
Pilates courses start after your 6 week post-natal check with your midwife.
