Antenatal pilates

The benefits of pilates during and after pregnancy

Increased awareness of your pelvic floor muscles can help during the birth process and assist with postnatal recovery.

Strength and stability of your lumbo-pelvic region, your abdominals and your leg muscles will reduce the aches and pains associated with a growing tummy, the added weight, and how it impacts on posture.

Strong abdominals will also assist during labour and a strong pelvic floor will support recovery afterwards, preventing unwanted complications such as stress incontinence.

Upper body stretching and strengthening will combat the discomfort around the rib cage as well as the challenges that come with breastfeeding.

Antenatal and postnatal pilates can help improve

Pilates during pregnancy… when should I start?

If you have never practiced pilates before, we recommend you wait until you are 12 weeks pregnant before starting. But if you are a regular, it is safe to continue what you have been doing before as long as you have medical clearance.

You can continue with pilates exercises right the way up until delivery and start again as soon as you have had your 6 week check.

If new to pilates, you will be required to fill in a questionnaire before joining one of my pilates classes or sessions, taking detailed medical history. During the assessment you will cover the principles of pilates and practice some of the key exercises so you know what to expect, and how it should feel when performed correctly so you can get the best out of your classes.

It is important to discuss any concerns such as pelvic pain or a diastasis recti at the moment of the assessment.