Holding in your abs?

MrsBraun · January 2010

I've been told be a few mom's here at work that the best thing that I can do while pg is to tighten my abs when I'm standing and not "let it go". I can sort of understand where they're coming from, but now I'm a little paranoid that if I slack a little my stomach is going to go all wonky after the LO's born. How do you feel about this? Do you try to keep them in, or just let it all out?

vagirl06 · January 2010

I let it ALL out.

dcunningham2 · January 2010

Hahaha, I actually have thought about this during pregnancy. From my mother I inherited a non-flat tummy. No matter how much weight I lose, my stomach refuses to get flat. So after 26 years of this I am so used to sucking it in. That has been one of the weirdest parts of pregnancy - just letting my bump hang out. I've tried to suck in a couple times, but honestly I feel suffocated, probably cause it pushes the baby up into my lungs. I say just do some prenatal yoga, pilates and other exercise - and just worry about getting your belly back after baby.

cutie420311 · January 2010

I think they mean just your posture in general, Keep your shoulders back, and down, and stand/sit up straight, that keeps your core engaged, as well as the muscles in your lower back and obliques to a certain extent. And it keeps back away.

synchrosally · January 2010

I think it would be a PIA to hold in my abs all day. I let it all out. I'm not hiding anything anymore. I'd much rather be comfortable.

avada_kedavra · January 2010

i also just hold them in out of habit! although, i'm carrying super low, so it looks like my tummy is still flat up top.... then just woop! baby roll!

i have been trying to let it hang out, but it's hard to break that habit!

WildcatPrincess · January 2010

I don't think it's really "sucking in", just keeping your abs engaged. It's something I always did before and still do. Keeps everything from just hanging out there and jiggling around.

Mom_E224 · January 2010

I'm the girl that just lets it all hang out! ha ha ha. It's just way to uncomfortable to me!

BelhurstBride · January 2010

I do it out of habit. By tightening your abs you're keeping your hips rolled under you, relieving your back of tension and improving your overall posture. It's the "correct" way to stand, whether your pregnant or not.

Aliliv · January 2010

It's good posture and will help your back. It's also not a bad idea to do some appropriate ab exercises to keep them strong.....

GinEthansMom · January 2010

I try to keep my abs tight or engaged and good posture. There will come a time later in pregnancy (at least for me) where I really can't tighten my abs anymore. I get too big and it's just beyond my control

jorden&kristin · January 2010

I let it all out cuz it hurts like heck to try to hold my abs in!

sherina825 · January 2010

I don't hold in my abs but I'm used to having them flexed as a force of habit. I don't just let it all hang out though. When I do it makes my back hurt.

sherina825 · January 2010

Aliliv:
It's good posture and will help your back. It's also not a bad idea to do some appropriate ab exercises to keep them strong.....

Can I have some examples? I've been dying to know what I can do while I'm at the gym.

Aliliv · January 2010

sherina825:

Aliliv:
It's good posture and will help your back. It's also not a bad idea to do some appropriate ab exercises to keep them strong.....

Can I have some examples? I've been dying to know what I can do while I'm at the gym.

Pilates! It's wonderful ab workouts. I lay on my back to do the exercises (and did with my last pregnancy until week # 34 - I just took frequent breaks) and do the 100's, and other pilates ab exercises on the matt. If it's uncomfortable to lay on your back, you can prop yourself up with pillows to do the exercises. These are my favorite ab exercises. I know, some people are probably thinking - but you can't lay on your back to exercise!- that's a myth and please use your common sense - the total amount of time you are actually on your back is miniscule and you (or some people) probably sleep longer on their back at night. Just do what your body says is comfortable:)

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