Safe abdominal exercises while pregnant?

[Anonymous]

My "core" is sadly out of shape from my prior pregnancies and I didn't focus enough on getting abdominal strength back before becoming pregnant again. What are good, pregnancy-friendly core exercises?

[Anonymous]

I just read in my pilates book last night that it can be very beneficial during pregnancy...seems like it would be tough though. You may want to google that.

[Anonymous]

Have you asked your OB if it's safe for you to work your abs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you asked your OB if it's safe for you to work your abs?

I asked generally about working out and told her I was working with a trainer. OB just told me to watch what I lifted, said nothing about abs.

[Anonymous]

I would be very careful and only work with a trainer that knew you were pregnant & had experience with pregnant clients. You can do damage to yourself and your baby during pregnancy. Please be careful! You can work your abs like crazy AFTER the baby.

[Anonymous]

I did Pilates up to the day I went into labor, but I had a very well-trained teacher who had herself recently had a baby. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

There's no reason you can't do abs while your PG. After 20 weeks you shouldn't be on your back, so I switched to doing more plank exercises, situps on the exercise ball, and balance exercises. Sit on the ground with your legs bent, then pick your feet up and lean back as far as you can and hold it as long as you can. To make it harder, spread your arms wide. You can also do a variation where you have a weight in your hands and twist.

[Anonymous]

Pretty much anything that doesn't have you actually laying on your stomach. So little crunches or "hold and stay" Yoga positions would probaby be okay.

(Not a doc. Just guessin'.)