Pregnancy And Baby Care Articles During Pregnancy
Benefits of Pilates During Pregnancy
Submitted by Nick on May 31, 2012
Pilates is the favorite form of exercise for many women both during and after their pregnancy. The reason why Pilates is so effective during pregnancy is the effect it has on the core. Pilates can help strengthen your core region including your abdomen, back and pelvic floor areas.
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This makes the nine months of pregnancy and the delivery much easier to bear physically.
Pilates is also very adaptable and the exercises can be modified to suit your body and the changes that it goes through during your pregnancy. Consult your doctor before starting on a Pilates regimen.
This is necessary because there are some conditions that a pregnant woman may have that rule out most forms of exercise. Once you have the green signal from the doctor you are ready to go.
If you are totally new to Pilates, then you should join a pre-natal Pilates class. Alternatively, you could find an experienced instructor who can give you a lot of individual attention. Starting Pilates on your own is not recommended for beginners who need to learn the fundamentals from an experienced instructor.
Benefits of Pilates during Pregnancy
- Pilates helps you to focus on the muscles of your abdomen, pelvic floor and back. These muscles are very important during pregnancy because they are the ones that provide support to the baby in the womb. Strengthening these muscles can help you to develop a stable core and can help make your pregnancy be relatively trouble free.
- Pilates helps improve lung capacity and also makes space for the baby in the womb
- Pilates helps improve balance and spatial orientation
Several Pilates exercises are performed on your hands and knees and helps take the strain off your back and pelvis. It may also help to position the baby correctly prior to delivery.
Safety Tips for Exercise during Pregnancy
Consult your doctor before commencing any form of exercise. Once you have the go ahead you may start your exercise regimen but exercise caution. Here are some safety tips you should take heed of:
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Join a pre-natal exercise class with qualified instructors
- Some of the positions in a Pilates class should be avoided during the latter half of your pregnancy. These include positions on your back or tummy or standing on one leg.
- Avoid stretching your joints to their fullest as this may cause an injury
- If your wrists pain while on your hands and knees, ask your instructor for an exercise ball