Congratulations! You're pregnant. Now what do you do to ensure a healthy pregnancy, shorter recovery time, and less side effects? Pilates, of course. Did you really have to ask?
In case you're not too familiar with Pilates, let me fill you in. Pilates is a system of exercises that target your “core” muscles. “Core” seems to be the catchphrase of the day, but few exercise methods target it the way Pilates can. To set the record straight, though, Pilates isn't just a series of ab exercises. It's a full body regimen. But have you ever tried to wiggle your arms and legs without your hips and tummy wiggling too? Try it now. It's harder than it sounds, and it's one hell of an ab strengthener. And that's the short version for why Pilates works as well as it does.
Let's move on to Pilates and pregnancy. During pregnancy, the body goes through changes that can cause varicose veins, haemorrhoids, low back pain from the added weight, and high levels of the hormone relaxin, which causes loose joints and instability. All of these things can be greatly helped with exercise. Pilates in particular is useful because it is gentle enough to not cause undue stress to a woman in even the third trimester of pregnancy. It will help balance the muscles around each and every joint so that you can control your new-found flexibility without putting too much pressure on your lax ligaments and tendons. A trained Pilates instructor will keep you off your back for your comfort without interfering with the effectiveness of your workout. The focus on pelvic floor work (those are the muscles that will contract, make you miserable for hours, and finally push your baby out into the world) means that you'll be better equipped for the birthing process, possibly experience a shorter labour time, AND help make sure you don't suffer from urine leakage! Where's the bad?
Women can suffer from drastic reductions of self esteem during pregnancy. A regular exercise program such as Pilates boosts serotonin levels, which will get your spirits back on track. This can also aid in preventing post-partum depression. Keeping your body fit through exercise rather than lazing on the couch will also help you feel happy about your rapidly expanding self.
Pilates not only helps maintain fitness during the requisite nine months, but it will also prepare the body for labour and enable a quick recovery post-birth. Women who exercise during pregnancy find that it's easier to get their pre-baby bodies back, and when you already have an exercise regimen in place, it's simple enough to keep going. Pilates will help you strengthen up those upper back muscles originally to add support for the new centre of gravity, but it comes in handy after birth too. Having a strong back means you can carry your new infant around with ease, before progressing onto more challenging exercises like “Throw Your Toddler in the Air” (no, that's not a Pilates move. That's just what my dad used to do for me as a child, and wow did I have fun). Keep those muscles strong so you can keep up with your kid!
With over 500 exercises on 8+ pieces of equipment and thousands of modifications available to the creative instructor, Pilates truly is for everyone. I recommend talking to your doctor or midwife prior to starting any exercise program, but provided they give the go-ahead, you should really take yourself over to the nearest studio and ask to see a certified instructor. They'll be able to take a look at you and tell you exactly what their expertise can do you for you personally. Wouldn't you like to be in the best shape possible, for your baby's health as well as your own?
