As I mentioned earlier, one of the other muscles that can become weak is the abdominal muscle. This can become very stretched during pregnancy as the baby grows inside. Occasionally a gap can develop down the centre of your stomach where the muscles have stretched apart. This varies a great deal with each pregnancy but it is important that some light exercises are carried out to help strengthen and bring these muscles back together.

To achieve this, a good exercise would be to do some gentle abdominal crunches. Simply lay on your back as flat as possible with both knees bent up. Take a breath in and as you sigh out, lifting your head slightly off the floor (make sure not to just tuck your chin under!)… and slide your hands forwards towards your knees. Start off with three repetitions, three times a day, gradually building the amount up. It is recommended to start these exercises a few days after a normal delivery, allowing the body to rest first.

Fitness Benefits
Although these exercises are specific to help strengthen muscles that have become weak due to the effects of pregnancy, it is also good to start and maintain fitness. It is best to start gradually and build yourself up, as the hormones are still having an affect on the body and can make the joints a little more flexible than they should be. Start with walking short distances, maybe even a 10 minute walk to begin, and gradually build yourself up. Swimming is also a good exercise and can be started once your midwife has done your post-natal checks.