Pregnancy: AbdominalsQ.Is it safe to do callanetic abdominal exercises whilst pregnant?A.I would suggest that there is little chance of your exercise causing problems during pregnancy or afterwards provided you have taken note of the following: first, you are aware of the increased risks of back injury during pregnancy, and guard against this by careful and accurate technique; second, you are aware of the risk of ‘supine hypotension’ (fall in blood pressure when lying flat on your back) and take precautions against this; and, third, you are prepared to stop exercising and consult your midwife or doctor should you have any abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or leakage, reduced foetal movements, or other worrying symptoms. Some people think that the babies of women with firm abdominal muscles are more likely to adopt the less favourable ‘posterior’ position (that is, with the baby’s back to your spine), the rationale being that he may find it harder to turn to face backwards if ‘corseted’ by toned tummy muscles. Other people think that this makes no difference at all, and that the position of your baby is totally a matter of chance. I personally hold the middle ground in this particular debate. I gently recommend that women keep as upright as possible in the last trimester of pregnancy, concentrating on ‘forward-leaning’ postures and avoiding (as far as possible) reclining back with their feet up. My advice to this effect is more forceful once labour starts, because I feel that this is when, under the influence of strong contractions, babies are perhaps more likely to turn around – if they need to do so. At the same time, I do not feel strongly enough about the subject to let women feel that the position of their baby is completely within their control. There are enough things around for mothers to feel guilty about, without me adding to the list! In summary, I think the advantages of nicely toned abdominal muscles outweigh any theoretical risk associated with your baby’s position. |
