Low back pain is a common complaint in pregnancy and often worsens as a pregnancy progresses. As your belly grows, your center of gravity moves forward, causing your spine to curve more than when not pregnant. This curve places strain on the muscles of the lower back. Remember to keep abdominal muscles contracted as much as possible – think of pulling baby in as close to your spine as possible. Avoid high-heeled shoes and maintain proper posture, with bum tucked in and shoulders pulled back. Try pelvic tilts to ease the pressure on your back and help reset your posture. While standing, place hands on haunches (where “love handles” would be). Tilt hips forward and stick bum out behind you, letting abdominals go slack. Next, tilt hips back and tuck bum in, contracting abdominals. Now try standing neutrally, as you should normally, with hips straight, bum slightly tucked and shoulders pulled back. Repeat several times.
~ Dara Duff-Bergeron is a veteran fitness trainer and a specialist in women’s health and fitness. With a decade under her belt, Dara now shares her exceptional experience and down-to-earth philosophy through Fit Family (fitfamily.ca) personal training and Belly Bootcamp (www.bellybootcamp.ca/) pre- and post-natal fitness. Dara is mommy of one with another on the way, and lives in Toronto with her own little fit family.
