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.
The aims of physical activity in pregnancy are
- Building the fitness needed for birth. The effort of labour is compared to running a marathon - so there is something to prepare for.
- Learning to breathe well, which makes birth easier, and learning to match the breath to what is happening during labour.
- Countering the complaints that come with pregnancy. Protecting the spine, the front abdominal wall and the pelvic floor from overload.
- Preventing urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
- Correcting posture and evening out muscle tension.
- Preparing the body to recover faster after birth.
Therapy
- An individually chosen exercise programme