Planks during third trimester

umma4babes

Hi everyone. I'm in my third trimester (31 weeks) now, and have been working out regularly throughout (5-6x/week for about an hour). I do some prenatal specific DVDs sometimes, but mostly just modify regular DVDs which have upper body segments with some plank exercises. I would say plank section alone is about 5 minutes, maybe less. It's getting a bit tougher to do all the moves, but I can still do them. Is there a time that I should stop doing plank exercises? Or can I continue till the end as long as I don't feel too uncomfortable?

Tnweaver

I continued to do planks throughout my entire pregnancy and was fine. They just got harder like you said. This is pretty much the only abdominal work you can do though and I think it's beneficial to continue to work your core during pregnancy.

Chatterbug6917

I did them

hollyfp

I teach group fitness and one of the common pregnancy options for an alternative to regular crunches/ being on your back is a plank.  Just make sure to come down to your knees if your form suffers/ you get too fatigued.  Horse stance with arm/ opposite leg extensions is also good.

vrj0522

Did them the whole time. 

mcfife09

You guys are all awesome, girls who plank when pregnant run the world  

umma4babes

Thanks for all responses! I was worried that planks might cause/exacerbate abdominal muscle separation. I'm still doing them for now since I don't feel like my ab muscles are strained or overworked.

EmeraldCity84

I am 29 weeks and doing the planksgiving challenge on https://shrinkingjeans.net/2013/10/planksgiving/! It seems that planks are pretty much the only preggo ab workout that does not force your abs apart, as crunches/etc might.