Back exercises during pregnancy

[bubblesincambridge]

Anyone know any good exercises that can be done at home to strenghthen the back? I'm 22 weeks and just starting to get some back ache.

Hi, here are a couple things I suggest to my ladies:

Firstly, start now correcting your posture. Stand, tail tucked in, back straight, tummy (if you can in) and shoulders back. Best way to start practicing is against a wall.

Not sure if these exercise will make sense but you can try the following:
cat stretches: position yourself on all fours, on the inhale, arch yor back like a cat, head down and then exhale going back to neutral position,

pelvic tilts: lie flat on the floor, legs bent at knees - on the exhale lift your pelvis a couple of inches off the floor, hold and release,

spinal twists - you can do this either seated or lying down - cross one leg over the other and turn in the opposite direction.

I would also suggest a swiss ball - it's great for easing lower back ache and building core strength.

Oh, and remember your pelvis floor exercises!!

Hope these help you.

Have you tried an antenatal yoga class? Great not only for back exercises but also for getting to know other local people about to start families. Have a look at birthlight.com/public/findaclass/.

Cool, thanks LylaB these sound good - keep them coming!

I really don't have time to go to classes at the mo, though as I commute to London every day.

Worth looking out a pre-natal pilates dvd in your library or from amazon - full of back strengthening and leg strengthening exercises and good on the pelvic floor ones too. Otherwise an antenatal yoga class at the weekends may be a nice way of relieving the pains caused by the weeklong commute.

Bubbles I'm a commuter too and have been looking for an antenatal yoga or aquanatal class in the evening or weekend and there's nothing near me at all (village near Colchester in Essex). You'd think with the well publicised increase in the birth rate that health centres would be offering us pg ladies lots of classes!

I agree with dinky, get a cheap prenatal pilates or yoga dvd to help you out ... all the breathing will keep you in good shape ahead of the big day

Please keep me posted on how you get on.

xx

My yoga class is 7.30-9pm - in Cambridge, a mile or so from the station.

Oh, whereabouts and on what day Blue Champagne?? I get off at Whittlesford as live a few miles outside. Is there parking?? How do I find out more?

If you go to the website link I gave you earlier, put Cambridge in the search and tick pregnancy yoga. Look for Anna Youngs. It's at a primary school in Cambridge so there is parking. See you there?

Cool! Thanks Blue Champagne