Does anyone have any recommendations for ab exercises while pregnant? I have quit doing all of mine together bc I read crunches and many variations of crunches are bad for you while pregnant. BUT, I know I need to keep my core (somewhat) strong, as I am a runner. I am just losing it with my body having a mind of it's own right now!
Re: ab exercises during pregnancy
I don't know why you would need to stay away from lower ab exercises. I did a prenatal fitness cert. and was never told that. Nor was I ever told that by my OB who knew I did them. I did them throughout two pregnancies and everything was fine.
The only thing really to worry about is after 20 weeks or so do stuff on an incline (like a wedge pillow, or use a bosu) that you would have done lying flat. Also, watch out for diastasis (ab separation).
Really, that's it. The other stuff is really not necessary. A lot of doctors still give out recommendations from the ACOG from the early '90s that were changed years ago.
A good DVD is Restore the Core. It has pre and post natal modifications. It's on buybuybaby.com and ebay. I love it.
AND Pilates Pregnancy, a book by Brooke Siler.
Oh, and the ab work won't help the bloating at all. Sorry.
Just a warning, I am a runner (still--woo hoo!) and did some ab exercises during first tri, but that strengthened core meant that I didn't start to show until almost 20 weeks. At that point my pants didn't fit so I was anxious to have a cute bump. Don't be surprised if it takes you a long time to "pop."
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That probably has more to do with your body type than your core. I was still teaching boot camp at 6 am at 20 weeks but I had a huge pooch.
I agree, I'm 21 weeks and still barely have any belly and I think due to my abs a lot more pressure is being exerted up into my chest and lungs instead of out like it should be. Now I'm just working obliques. But still keeping up the running!
This definitely....after some work, they sure do.
Ugh I'm going crazy too - I had recently run a half marathon and took a few months off running and got prego then. The doc said if I had continued-I could run during pregnancy however since I took a decent break - no running. I'm trying like heck not to worry about the weight and have gained 8lbs in the first 13 weeks already!!!!! I've been keeping up on eliptical, bike and walking inclines to keep at it.
How are you doing on weight gain? You seem active like myself.