Are AB Workouts Safe During Pregnancy?
Not only is working your abdominal muscles safe while pregnant, it can help ease backaches that will come later in your pregnancy. Strengthening your abs will give the uterus support as it increases in size.
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Significance
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Working out your abs while pregnant will help prevent diastasis recti, which causes the tissues in your abdominal muscles to separate. The exercise is not only safe but helps the mother during labor and delivery.
Benefits
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Strong abdominal muscles help keep the pelvis aligned so that you do not suffer from backaches. Working your abs will also help you feel motivated, and help you return to your pre-pregnancy body faster.
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Misconceptions
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Many women believe that exercise, especially ab workouts, will harm their baby or themselves. This is only true if you overdo and overexert yourself, but for the most part, abdominal exercise is beneficial to your body and baby.
Types of Exercise
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Pelvic tilts and side crunches are done without you having to be on your back. With the help of pillows, in the first trimester you can also do curl ups. Speak to your doctor before trying these.
Warning
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Always do low-impact exercises that do not jar your body. Do not perform ab exercises on your back after the first trimester, because you may cut off the blood and oxygen going to your baby.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of diluvi.com Anna i Adria
