Pre & Postnatal Pilates
A Stage by Stage Approach
First Trimester
Assuming your pregnancy is low risk you can continue exercising at your usual intensity through the first 12 weeks: you’ll be well catered for in both personalised sessions and small group reformer classes.
While, at this stage, you’ll be exercising in the same way as the general population we always like to know if something is going on with your body- so reach out to let us know- we’re super discreet.
Second and Third Trimesters
When you reach 16 weeks, or can no longer lay on your stomach (whichever comes first) you should make your transition to personalised sessions. This is the optimal environment for catering to the needs of your changing body, pregnancy aches and pains, and for integrating birth and post partum preparation into your workouts.
Start with an Initial Consultation and continue a weekly Private or Semiprivate appointment with a teacher who really knows you.
Forth Trimester (Postpartum)
We highly recommend an initial consultation/private session if you’re making your return to exercise through Pilates.
Beyond that, in personalised sessions, we can work closely with your pelvic health physio to ensure cohesion between treatments and exercise, and can integrate exercises for abdominal separation, pelvic prolapse or any other specific issues. However, if you are complication and pain free you are welcome to return to group classes.
When to start Pilates after giving birth
You’ll generally get clearance to return to exercise at around 6 week postpartum for a vaginal delivery and around 10 weeks for Cesarean. Unless specifically referred by a medical or allied health practitioner we don’t generally accept any bookings within the first 6 weeks postpartum.
Need more support ?
A 6 week post partum check with a pelvic or womens health physiotherapist is worth it’s weight in gold. We work closely with Tus and her team at Sunrise Pelvic Physio to ensure a smooth transition back into exercise after birth.
Nutritional support can be invaluable in the months after giving birth- if you’re in need of support or a little guidance our favourites are the team at New Leaf Naturopathy.
You’ll find more recommendations from our network of referrers here.
