Okay to work out abs?

ilanat · August 2011

My doctor told me not to do situps. Has anyone else heard this?

mrsnorthernbell · September 2011

How far along are you?

At my first appt when I was only 8 weeks along I was told no ab exercise and to also listen to my body when I was running. No over doing it and pushing myself too hard.

I ran until I was about 14 weeks and then it was really just too hard even though I had not gained any weight. I was out of breath and felt sick. I walked and did the eliptical.

ilanat · September 2011

I am 13 weeks. I have a personal trainer who wants me to work out abs and says she has done this for all of her other clients. My doctor said I should not do things like situps and twisting exercises. My personal trainer also wants me to do a back exercise that has the person start bended over and then stretch the back by "flying up." I don't really feel comfortable with these exercises and told her I'm not doing them. I just wanted to know if I am being paranoid.

dureem · September 2011

Is your trainer trained in pre-natel?

lindsay.lou · September 2011

My doctor said that ab strengthening exercises can be very beneficial during pregnancy, but classic sit ups are usually not the right type of ab exercise for pregnant women. He recommended a book with better exercises, but I don't remember the name. Maybe you could google around?

2gr8pits · September 2011

I don't do classic sit-ups anymore, just not comfy, but I did do them until around 22 weeks. The doctor has only told me squatting with heavy weights is off limits. I still do planks, but they are getting harder and harder...

hikerbeth · September 2011

I did abs on an inclined bench or a ball 'til the end.

Karmalife · September 2011

Do you mean crunches? I didn't think people still did sit-ups, pregnant or not (very hard on the back).

As for not doing crunches, I have never heard this but after researching it looks like there are conflicting opinions. I've seen plenty of prenatal videos on youtube where women are doing modified (not lying flat on the floor) crunches.

I choose not to do crunches anymore because they just don't feel good. But there are plenty of other ab exercises out there (planks are fantastic).

Check out this link:

https://www.babycenter.com/406_is-it-safe-to-do-sit-ups-or-abdominal-crunches-during-pregna_1246888.bc

llizzyb · September 2011

How about crunches on on the exercise ball?

AmandaP678 · September 2011

I've always heard no. I would listen to the OB before the trainer.

monkeyqueen · September 2011

Pilates style ab workouts are safe during pregnancy. My Dr. and I were both pregnant for my 2nd and we went to the same pilates intrustor. I didn't modify the movements until I was well over 30 weeks.......I took breaks when I needed to.

Working your core during pregnancy is very beneficial.

MrsNash37212 · September 2011

I was told not to do them past 16 weeks by both my OB and my prenatal-certified trainer. The theory is that exercises done on your back reduce blood flow and oxygen to the baby. For most of my 2nd tri, I worked my core by doing things like planks, side taps, and hip taps. Once I hit 3rd tri, I quit doing ab work altogether. I'm not showing much and my OB was concerned that my core was too strong and not allowing the baby to flip head down. I'm pretty sure he went head down this week, so it all worked out fine.

beachbum3293 · September 2011

I am 29 weeks and have been doing standing ab work.

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