Jul 112 min read

Exercising While Pregnant: Pilates, Your Best Friend

Hello future mom! I’m a physiotherapist and mom of three, including a 3-month-old baby. Today, I want to share with you my personal and professional experience with Pilates during pregnancy. This practice has helped me tremendously, and I hope it can bring you as many benefits as it did for me.

Les résultats Grâce au Pilates, j'ai pu rester en forme tout au long de mes grossesses. Mon périnée est resté super fort, ce qui a facilité les accouchements et m'a aidée à éviter les fuites urinaires après. Et en bonus, mes abdos sont restés intacts, sans diastasis, ce qui a rendu ma récupération post-partum beaucoup plus facile.

Why is Pilates great during pregnancy?

Pilates is a gentle method of muscle strengthening that focuses on posture, breathing, and controlled movements. Here’s why it’s perfect for when you’re pregnant:

A Strong Pelvic Floor:

Pilates exercises strengthen the pelvic floor, which is super important for preventing small leaks and supporting the uterus.

Top-notch Abs:

Pilates works the deep abdominal muscles, helping to avoid diastasis recti, that infamous separation of the abdominal muscles.

Perfect Posture:

Pilates exercises improve posture, reducing the back pain that is common during pregnancy.

Less Stress:

By focusing on breathing and fluid movements, you’ll feel more zen and better connected with your body and baby.

My experience with Pilates

I practiced Pilates during each of my pregnancies, and here’s how it went for me:

First Trimester:

I started gently with breathing and stabilization exercises to prepare my body for the changes to come. It was gentle but super effective.

Second Trimester:

With my doctor’s approval, I intensified my sessions a bit. The exercises helped strengthen my back and maintain proper alignment of my spine, which reduced my lower back pain.

Third Trimester:

The movements adapted to my growing belly. I continued to work on breathing, pelvic floor strengthening, and stretching to prepare my body for childbirth.

The Results

Thanks to Pilates, I stayed in shape throughout my pregnancies. My pelvic floor remained super strong, which made childbirth easier and helped me avoid urinary leaks afterward. And as a bonus, my abs stayed intact without diastasis, which made my postpartum recovery much easier.

Some Tips to Get Started

Talk to your doctor:

Before starting, always get your doctor’s approval.

Find a good coach:

Choose a Pilates instructor who has experience with pregnant women. You can find our exercises online in our subscription and weekly live sessions!

Listen to your body:

Every pregnancy is unique. Adapt the exercises to your comfort and capabilities.

Hydrate and rest:

Drink plenty of water and take regular breaks during your sessions.

Faire du sport enceinte : Le Pilates, ton allié précieux Salut future maman ! Je suis kiné et maman de trois enfants, dont un bébé de 3 mois. Aujourd'hui, j'ai envie de partager avec toi mon expérience personnelle et professionnelle avec le Pilates pendant la grossesse. Cette pratique m'a énormément aidée, et j'espère qu'elle pourra t'apporter autant de bienfaits qu'à moi.

I hope my experience inspires you to try Pilates during your pregnancy. It’s a gentle and beneficial practice that helped me stay in shape and prepare my body for childbirth and recovery. Take care of yourself and your little one!

Exercising While Pregnant: Pilates, Your Best Friend