Prenatal Pilates focuses on activating the transverse abdominals that wrap around your torso like a corset, giving the feeling of “hugging the baby” while lifting the pelvic floor muscles simultaneously. Due to the amount of blood flow and respiratory changes experienced during pregnancy, it’s important to stay hydrated and refrain from overheating.

Your body prepares itself to accommodate a growing baby and eventual birth by producing hormones that relax connective tissues around the joints. This increased mobility and flexibility, along with a changing center of gravity as the baby grows, can exacerbate misalignments and previous injuries. Fortunately, Pilates helps address, manage, and alleviate these concerns, all while giving you a challenging workout. Still, every stage of pregnancy has its own guidelines, and there are some exercises better left for after pregnancy.

Pilates has been shown to lower rates of cesarean birth, birth interventions, and episiotomies, and it helps manage or eliminate the typical aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

Pilates can support every stage of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Whether you’re a newbie or avid exerciser, a qualified instructor can gear the workout to meet your needs and still challenge you safely.