Abdominal Exercises For Pregnancy- What to Do and What Not to Do

This weekend I got a great question from a colleagues client. She is 6 months pregnant and wanted some abdominal exercises because her SEPARATION was bugging her. As pregnancy progresses rectus diastase is inevitable but there are ways to prevent early separation and have relative comfort. Managing this is the key.

What Not To Do

1. No Lumbar Flexion Exercises- that's right crunches, mini crunches when pregnant are not good and can contribute to further abdominal separation. Lumbar flexion is obsolete anyways, the main function of abdominal muscles are to prevent rotation of the lumbar spine, not to flex the lumbar spine. Forward flexion should be initiated from the hips, like a waiters bow.

2. Reduce oblique exercises, as when they flex with a separation your muscle will pull towards the insertion or side of your torso, further widening your rectus diastase.

What To Do

1. Plank and plank variations for lumbar stabilization, not flexion.

2. Side Planks for stabilization of the small muscles in your lumbar spine called multifidi- do in reps not for a steady amount of time

3. Bilateral Back Extension - to use your abdominals as anti rotators, what they are meant to do.

All of these exercises are featured in the Baby Bump Pregnancy Fitness Program.

Have a great day and enjoy your pregnancy,

Jacqueline
www.babybumpfitness.com

Best Pregnancy Exercise

The bilateral back extension exercise is one of the BEST Busy Mom exercises for pregnancy and a new mom. Yes it's origin is rehabilitative in nature, but why is it so important for you. From a 4 point kneel you are cued to lift up one of your back legs straight out by contracting your glut muscle- you are not to let your pelvis drop or shift during this leg lift and your abdominals need to be tight for your pelvis to be held steady. This is step one and testing if you are able to hold your 3 point stance working on your pillar and anti-rotation muscles in your core to hold your pelvis steady. Next (or is you are advance you can lift arm and glut simultaneously) lift your opposite arm straight out in front of you, trying to get your arm in line with your ear, but again not letting your pelvis drop or rotate. You are now in a 2 point stance. This is beneficial because your anti-rotator muscles are firing (increasing lumbar stability), your glut medius of the pillar leg is working, your glut max muscle of the suspended leg is firing, your shoulder stability muscles are firing of your support arm and your core and back muscles are firing of the extended arm. This is a lot of bang for your buck- highly efficient exercise, perfect for busy moms. Many athletes use this 1-2 x per week in their dynamic warmup program so everything is firing for performance. For a new mom and for a a pregnancy exercise this should be part of your regular routine as you are overcoming changes in your body. During pregnancy your hips are widening making your glut medius less effective, you lumbar spine is mobilizing in the joints due to relaxin and your belly is expanding putting your pelvis into anterior tilt. The pregnancy waddle or gait associated with late pregnancy is inevitable. Performing the bilateral back extension will help prevent discomfort from joint instability and pregnancy posture. You can learn how to manage your new changing body by firing your muscles to help prevent loss of balance and aid in recovery.

During Pregnancy Fitness Routine the Key Reasons For performing the Bilateral Back Extension are;

1. Manage lumbar instability that can lead to discomfort

2. Fire your abdominals at their new changing lengths for aid in daily activities and recovery after baby is born

3. Shoulder stability

For a NEW MOM regaining lumbar stability is mandatory. You are now carrying around a baby, your body is constantly changing shape and you are under physical stress from sleep deprivation and delivery recovery. The main goals of performing the bilateral back extension for a new mom is to

1. Retrain deep abdominal muscle firing and anti rotational muscles ( the true function of the abdominals)

2. Strengthening your glut muscles for pelvic stability to avoid lifting with your back instead of legs

3. Stabilizing the shoulders by horizontal pressing and vertical lifting

Like mentioned earlier once you go through your pregnancy fitness and recovery new mom fitness this exercise is a great warm up for any routine. It is commonly performed incorrectly as people allow there belly to sag, pelvis to rotate and lift their back leg with their back not by firing their glut. Be aware of these when you perform this exercise.