Being a new mom can be tough. Not only do you have an infant to care for (plus, sometimes, additional children, pets, work, or others in your household) but also you might find you’ve got a post-pregnancy baby belly that just won’t budge.
This post pregnancy pooch isn’t very welcome, but it is quite common. Not unlike being a new mom, the results you’ll see from working to get rid of the post-pregnancy pooch can be incredibly rewarding and make you feel wonderful!
A post pregnancy or mommy pooch is very common among women who have had a child. As the body changes to accommodate a growing baby, there is a separation (known as diastasis) of the rectus abdominis (recti) muscles, hence the term Diastasis Recti (DR). This separation affects the supporting and connective tissue and often results in difficulty for these muscles to return to their normal state after pregnancy.
It’s important first to identify whether you are suffering from Diastasis Recti. At Firehaus Pilates we have instructors trained for this specific test, which lasts just a few minutes and is completely pain-free! Understanding whether you may have DR, and the extent of the condition, is the first step to developing an effective and safe Pilates routine that will get you back into the shape you desire.
While you may believe that doing sit-ups or crunches is the best way to flatten your post-pregnancy abdominal area, these are the exact exercises you should not be doing and, in fact, could make the condition worse.
At Firehaus Pilates we have specially designed, postpartum baby belly and DR exercise programs that will help you put the focus on strengthening your Transverse Abdominus (TA) deep core muscles and pelvic floor muscles. Rebuilding your core strength with Pilates will help tighten and tone the internal structure of the body in a safe and controlled way.
Pilates is ideal for re-training and re-strengthening the core body muscles and abdominal region. Not only will it shrink your post pregnancy pooch, but it will also make you stronger and the baby belly less likely to reoccur if you plan on becoming pregnant again. Programs include guided and modified movement on the reformer, trapeze table, supported mat work and more. Understanding correct posture, mastering controlled movement, honing focus, and building confidence is all part of the Firehaus Pilates approach.
Because of its inherently thoughtful and mindful method, Pilates empowers you to make a mind-body connection to focus on how your muscles work which, in turn, helps you honor and respect your body and its amazing capabilities! If you are experiencing low back pain or dealing with a baby belly, it’s important to understand what’s going on and know that there are very effective post-natal Pilates exercises that will get you feeling stronger, healthier, and more in touch with your incredible body.
Whether it has been months or years since you have given birth, Firehaus Pilates offers conditioning programs, with professional training and support, which will help you heal and recover. If you are currently pregnant or thinking about starting a family, consider our prenatal Pilates program to begin strengthening your body for incredible pre and post pregnancy results as you head into this amazing life journey!