What abdominal exercises should i avoid during pregnancy?

While core strength is helpful, some moves put too much pressure on the belly and should be avoided or modified, especially later in pregnancy:

  • Crunches and sit-ups (forward bending
  • Deep backbends (spinal extension)
  • Side bending with weight (lateral flexion)
  • Twists where the shoulders and hips rotate in opposite directions
  • Full planks (instead, try knee planks or incline planks)
  • Exercises lying flat on your back for a long time (like Pilates 100s or V-sits)