PRegnancy and PILATES - should I keep it up or stop?

[Holymoly321]

Had joined gym and started doing pilates classes again (have done them on and off for a few years - I would say I was intermediate). I'm now 8 weeks preg and my gym instructor has said I should stop doing all my previous abdominal exercises such as crunches etc. I'm wondering if I should stop the pilates classes too then as they have a lot of abdominal work. What do people think?

hi - I'm no expert, but as far as I know some Pilates can be done while pregnant, but you have to be careful. I haven't done any for ages (shame!) and certainly not since I've been pregnant, but have just got myself a pilates in pregnancy DVD to make sure I don't go wrong. plan to start using that tomorrow.

Also, the Body Control Pilates book I have says that because of the hormone changes softening the ligaments joints may become unstable, so need to pay particular attention to alignment. And it recommends abdominal work is limited to gentle transversus abdominus strengthening. It says yto avoid exercises that put any pressure on the pubic bone, and to stop exercising completely between weeks 8 and 14. It says that the following exercises are OK during pregnancy (after consultation with medical practioner - I guess that's their backs covered) - don't know if these mean anything to you, maybe not if you don't use the Body Control pilates? Anyway, here's their list: standing correctly, table top, pelvic stability, shoulder drops, neck rolls, dumb waiter, floating arsm, corkscrew, pole raises, starfish, side rolls, ankle circles, cherry picking, arm openings (with added pillow between kness and under bump), the flower (sitting), up and down witha tennis ball, adductor strength, and pillow squeeze.
Phew! Sorry to go on, and sorry if t hat doesn't amke sense, and good luck!

I'm not really sure for pilates but I do know for yoga that you shouldn't do any yoga until past 14 weeks pregnant. This is due to the huge toll on your body of the first trimester and the hormone/ligament changes- plus risks of early miscarraige. However some very gentle exercises can be maintained, really you should talk to your pilates instructor for their advice. I went to 'normal' yoga and had to stop, and then resumed at 14 weeks but there are a lot of the exercises I shouldn't do- especially working abdominal muscles but lifting legs together while lying on back etc. I have a good yoga for pregnancy book and there are pilates for pregnancy books too- maybe worth taking a look to see what they do/don't recommend. It may be worth seeing if you have any local yoga or pilates for pregnancy classes- with my last pregnancy I found one which was great but now live in a rural area so attend a 'normal' class (am 23 weeks pregnant). I do find enormous benefits to keeping up with some stretching type exercises, but also rely on walking a lot and the occasional swim!

Take care & good luck!

You can do pilates right up until then end of your pregnancy - in fact it will be very beneficial for you to do so.

You would be best to do so in a pilates studio setting with the right equipment to bare your weight etc and on a one to one basis so that the teacher can work closely with you to ensure correct position for the exercises

I just asked my Pilates teacher - she said it was fine to continue. She will adapt the excercises I do as I progress with my pregnancy. She is teaching a lady 2 weeks from her due date!