The point of exercising in pregnancy is not your figure. It is preparation for the physical effort of labour, which in terms of load is often compared to running a marathon.
A well-chosen programme also protects the structures under the greatest strain: the spine, the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor. It reduces the risk of urinary incontinence and prolapse, and it makes recovery after birth faster.
What matters is that the exercises are matched to the trimester and to how your pregnancy is going — not copied from a video without knowing whether your pelvic floor is weak or overactive.
What exercise in pregnancy is for
- Conditioning for birth — the effort of labour is often compared to running a marathon
- Learning to breathe in a way that helps during labour, and adapting the breath to each stage
- Preventing the complaints that come with pregnancy, and protecting the spine, abdominal wall and pelvic floor
- Reducing the risk of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
- Postural correction and evening out tension
- Preparing the body for a faster recovery after birth
Therapy
- Individually chosen exercises
- Breathing work
- Postural correction
- Home exercise programme