Pilates in pregnancy

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Pilates is a bit like Yoga, it's fairly gentle and concentrates on holding postures, but its focus is much more on what the experts call core strength. This means the deep muscles that support your pelvis, spine and back muscles and it's these muscles that help with posture, back ache and are used in childbirth, so it makes sense to give them a bit of a workout before you give birth.

Best move:

Try the elbow plank, but go carefully. If you feel it's too much strain on your back, then stop.
Lie on your front and raise yourself up onto your elbows, keep your back and legs straight - you should be supporting yourself on your toes and your elbows. Breathe slowly and steadily and hold the position for a count of five - if you can. Afterwards get into a kneeling position, bend over and put your head between your legs and stretch your arms out in front of you.

Need to know:

Take it slowly - you might not feel like you're doing anything, but most people say the next day after a Pilates class they really feel like they've had a workout and that their deep muscles feel stronger.

Many of the moves are performed lying on your back so after your 20th week of pregnancy it could be harmful for you to spend too much time lying on your back so speak to your teacher about alternative moves.

By Louise O'Connell