Learn 3 inner core specific exercises to do during pregnancy to strengthen your abs and pelvic floor to help for an easier delivery, postpartum recovery and help with prevention of diastasis. Confused about what core exercises to do during pregnancy when you’re not sure what are safe to do or how to modify certain ones as your belly grows?
I am currently 24 weeks pregnant with my second baby girl and I have learned a lot over these past few years about my body, especially the core. I am here to help you learn from my mistakes because I didn’t do any specific inner core work during my first pregnancy.
Keeping your core strong during the pregnancy (as well as prior to getting pregnant) is very important for overall easier delivery and faster recovery postpartum.
Questions to think about: Are you training your core specifically? Are you making sure to avoid or limit diastasis recti potential exercises like crunches or things in the frontal position?
I am sharing 3 new core (and safe) exercises that I have been doing lately and really like to keep my core strong. There are some really great core training moves but these 3 I really like as they incorporate using a stability ball to challenge the core even more.
Like I mention in the video you can do these core moves pre and post pregnancy too. If you are thinking of getting pregnant soon I recommend you start training your deep inner core muscles now.
3 inner core exercises to do during pregnancy to help prevent diastasis
Make sure to engage the core while doing each exercise. Exhale and contract the core when doing the movements.
Your abs are still there even if you don’t see them during pregnancy.
Try to keep good posture throughout the day as best you can.
These are fantastic core exercises to do as they aren’t front-loaded.
I am doing my best to focus on my alignment and doing specific core work during this pregnancy.
I can’t guarantee that I won’t get diastasis again with this second pregnancy as you can get it during labor. But I am not focusing on that.
Remember to listen to your body as each pregnancy will be different.
Start off slow with these exercises and over time you will get stronger.
xo
Lori
6 comments
Love this, thanks so much! How often do you do these exercises? Should I do them every day or have rest days as well for the muscles to recover?
Megan you can do them 4-5x a week, about 1-3 sets. Some days I only get one set in and other days I am able to get 2 rounds in. 🙂
Just came across your blog and see that we are both 24 weeks pregnant with girls 🙂 Love this video…
I didn’t have much of a chance to strengthen my core in the first trimester, as I was pretty much bed ridden with severe morning sickness the first 3 months, so hopefully I can still get them fairly strong?
Also wanted to ask if you’ve heard of postpartum belly binding? I plan to do it; it’s a traditional practice that helps with holding together the muscles and connective tissue after birth, supports your torso and ligaments, and is said to help repair diastasis. There’s numerous other benefits too, but thought you might want to know about the diastasis benefits! Here’s a quick link, but there’s many more if you google:
http://thesnapmom.com/postpartum-belly-binding/
Thanks again, and look forward to seeing more 🙂
Glad you found me. Congrats on your pregnancy 😉 Yes I have 3 different wraps I plan to use post partum.
What size stability ball do you use?
We got it off Amazon – Tone Fitness Stability Ball, 55cm
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