Pilates in pregnancy

[someonesmother]

I'm currently 22 weeks with my 2nd baby and have been going to a pilates class at my gym. It's not specifically for pregnancy and I've just been adapting the odd exercise (with help from the instructor). So far I really enjoy the class, but, I was just wondering if there are things I'm doing in the class that I should be avoiding, specifically:

• The exercises where I'm lying on my back. It's not uncomfortable but I know there are some guidelines that say it should be avoided.

• Exercises that work my abs. I don't mean sit-up style since I'm cutting these out as they're uncomfortable, but rather things like plank style exercises, which feel fine when I do them, but since my class yesterday I've been thinking about whether it's a bad idea to continue...

Should I just stop going to the class as it's not tailored to pregnancy or am I completely overreacting and should just do what I feel my body is able to do?

I do a pregnancy specific Pilates class and it sounds like you are making the right adaptations. Specifically not directly working the front stomach muscles. So sit ups/crunches etc are a big no no as it puts too much strain on them. Anything that works your side muscles is fine and I would think planking style exercises would be ok as long as you are feeling comfortable as they work the core without direct strain. As for being on your back. We don’t do anything on the back in my class but the instructor has said that it’s not dangerous to do so if you are finding it comfortable. You will definitely find as you get more pregnant it will become uncomfortable and you can make the decision to stop these atvthat point. The main consideration though is to listen to your body and not push yourself to do too much / more than you were doing before you got pregnant. I hope this helps. x