CAN I DO PILATES IF IM PREGNANT?
Yes, so long as you are with a certified instructor who can modify exercises for your changing body. Generally speaking, moderate exercise is safe throughout a normal, healthy pregnancy and many gentle Pilates exercises are appropriate. However, keep the following cautions in mind: *Do not over-exert the abdominal muscles. *Take caution with exercises that require you to lie on your back. The American Council of Obstetrics and Gynecology cautions women in the second trimester of pregnancy against doing any exercises that require this position as it can compromise the vascular system of both the mother and fetus. *Do not over-stretch, as relaxing and progesterone levels increase during pregnancy causing the ligaments around the joints to become lax, loose and vulnerable.
If you have been doing Pilates before you became pregnant, it is fine to continue with gentle sessions (with the consent of your medical practitioner) though we would recommend that you stop exercising between 8 and 14 weeks, until the pregnancy is well established. From 14 weeks, you may find it helpful to work on a specially tailored programme, which can continue right up to 40 weeks if you wish. We do not recommend that anyone should begin learning Pilates during their first trimester but it is possible to take up Pilates during the second trimester, preferably on a 1:1 basis or in class tailored to pregnancy.
