https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:58:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-567768 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:56:16 +0000 birdofafeather 567768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did Dailey method classes all through pregnancy and they just make sure you don't peak your ab muscles. That's how you can split them and really injure yourself. Otherwise I did the ab work (as well as I could) up until 38 weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-566239 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:13:42 +0000 Revel 566239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I agree about the knees to elbows in crossfit. Most of what I read/heard from coaches generally is that most pregnant women find they can continue doing them for quite a while. Talking to the other PG and former PG girls at my crossfit, all said they stopped doing them pretty early because they felt uncomfortable. Very interesting. Right now, I really don't like anything that creates a crunching/squishing feeling in my lower abs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-565923 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:55:03 +0000 JoJoGirl 565923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: Yep that's why i said i stick to planks :) Even those are getting hard! The 'don't lie on your back' thing isn't about diastasis though, that's a concern with cutting off blood flow to the uterus because its weight lays on a major artery. </p> <p>There seems to be some difference of opinion in the CF world about knees to elbows.. some people say they are fine, others say they put too much strain on you.. I guess that's where it comes to 'do what feels right'. For me they felt too much like sit-ups (ie really huge range of motion) so I cut them out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564490 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:42:58 +0000 StbHisMrs 564490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want to do any ab work, I like to save that for afterwards because I am worried about diastasis. I do need to start doing squats and something for my arms, which have gotten disgusting!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564488 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:41:01 +0000 Silva 564488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my understanding is that you shouldn't do any ab exercises lying on your back. I do prenatal yoga, and we do some plank-type poses, as well as balancing poses that definitely work your core. But I think the risks that @JoJoGirl: is talking about come when you lie on your back and do situps or crunches?</p> <p>and I agree with everyone who recommended squats! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564482 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:35:02 +0000 JerricaBenton 564482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done planks, push ups, knees to chest (hanging), mountain climbers (until my belly got too big - then I elevated my hands and did them) and then just full body strength work like squats and weights. 40 weeks tomorrow and no diastasis or pain! I feel strong and have had barely any back pain through pregnancy so I attribute that to a strong core. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564423 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:03:43 +0000 blackbird 564423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was told in the beginning no ab work (like sit ups) besides planks. They can make diastasis (your abs split) worse or even cause it! I figure they get enough of a work out doing full body stuff. They are stressed and doing sit ups and the like can make it WAY worse! I can do minimal range knee to elbows and such...but i'm pretty far along now (33W) and EVERYTHING stresses my abs. Push ups still work my core, too. </p> <p>Squats are like, the very best thing you can do :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564312 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:11:12 +0000 Foodnerd81 564312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Revel: I'm glad you know what I meant! Not hurting, just weird. </p> <p>Squats are a good idea, I just remembered I've been reading they are important. And I'll definitely be doing some planks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564284 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:03:31 +0000 Revel 564284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally relate to the "abs feel weird" phenomenon. I've stopped doing most ab specific exercises at crossfit (sit ups, knees to elbows) because I don't like how they feel. I can still do planks at 24 weeks with no problem. Lots of exercises will still keep your core strong though - I think squats in particular are good for this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564251 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:49:30 +0000 heartonastring 564251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't do sit-ups or anything that requires me to lay flat on my back. At 32 weeks I still do ab work though - lots of planks, knees-to-elbows (hanging from pull-up bar), and I use the TRX bands at my gym to do some core-focused work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564244 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:46:39 +0000 Smurfette 564244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was told no more ab workout after 20 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564234 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:43:20 +0000 JoJoGirl 564234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Yes a strong core is good but you do just have to be careful. I'd start with planks and let me see if I can find some more resources for you. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564231 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:42:30 +0000 Foodnerd81 564231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Hmm... I mean, I HATE ab work in general, so if I'm better off NOT doing it, I'm happy to oblige. But I thought it helped to have strong abs and core with labor and delivery, and bouncing back after birth? Or is that just if you go in with strong abs, which clearly, it's a little too late for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564209 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:31:47 +0000 JoJoGirl 564209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did a ton of ab work up until maybe 18-20 weeks, until I learned you really do need to lay off it because you can get this disorder where your muscles rip in half. No more situps and whatnot. I do a ton of planks if I really need to get some conditioning in, but now (26 weeks) even those are getting hard and I do them on my knees. I still do some ab work at my barre classes but use a VERY small range of motion (like 4 inches, not from the floor) and am careful to not over-exert.</p> <p>ETA: <a href="http://www.befitmom.com/abdominal_separation.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.befitmom.com/abdominal_separation.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564197 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:25:21 +0000 autumnlove 564197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are motivated! I never did any ab work during my pregnancy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ab-core-exercises-while-pregnant#post-564183 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:18:46 +0000 Foodnerd81 564183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Between 1st trimester nausea, fatigue, and non stop headaches, I haven't done any exercise in months, beyond walking to and from the train. It's not great (though luckily, my weight gain has been on target). </p> <p>I'm hoping to get back into the gym and do most of my usual routine, but I'm wondering about what the best ab and core exercises are during pregnancy. I've noticed my abs feel... weird, when I just sit up from laying down, but it could be because literally my only exercise was dry heaving for a while. I'm only 16 weeks so I'm able to lay on my back without an issue so far, but that's probably going to end soon anyway. </p> <p>What do other people do? I know it's so important to keep your core strong, I just have sucked at it lately! </p>