What ab exercises are ok while pregnant?

Question

Hi! I'm ten weeks and 2 days pregnant today with my first baby. Prior to learning I was pregnant, I was an avid weight lifter and worked out at least 10 hours a week. Ever since I got pregnant, I have been completely drained of energy and motivation, and only crap food didn't make me want to vomit. FINALLY I'm feeling well enough to work out, and I've been researching what's safe. But I can't seem to find much on which abdominal exercises are ok to continue once pregnant. Does anyone have any insight?

Answer

Planks!!! I actually had a pilates dvd last pregnancy that had a whole section on abs.... must drag it out

Answer

I have been weight training for the last few years and currently have a personal trainer. My trainer told me no twisting abs (i.e., Russian twists), and no laying on my back for abs after 12 weeks, which at that point we have decided to use the boccee ball. I know that's not a whole lot of help, but that's all I've got so far!

Answer

My dr gave me no restrictions in regards to working out, as long as I did it before I can do it now. Supposedly (I've read) you're not supposed to do anything in your back after 12 weeks. My dr did not agree with this, as long as you're not experiencing any lower extremity numbness or pain, you're fine to do them. I was/am very active in advanced yoga. I'll still do the ab workouts in class, but they do feel pretty strange and they are 10x harder. No pain though. I would talk to your doctor before you do any. I'm 16 weeks and still plugging along doing them, they just feel like a brick is in the way lol

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My OB specifically said NO ab workouts because your stomach muscles can separate and it is permanent! She told me this at my 8week appt

Answer

My midwife told me, once you are in your second trimester you should avoid all crunch style motion. Your ab muscles are loosening/relaxing to allow them to stretch out. If you try to contract them as they are doing this you have a high risk of separating the muscles from your abdomen. My sister in law had to have surgery to sew her muscles back down after pregnancy. I'd say take it easy on the abs 😬

Answer

Me too! The best I could find was on youtube and google!

What ab exercises are ok while pregnant?

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