Ask Our Expert - Do sit-ups help?

September 08, 2008

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Specializing in pregnancy and birth.


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Ask Dr. Greenfield Do sit-ups help?

QUESTION


I have done sit-ups my whole life. How far into pregnancy can I do them, and are they even effective? — 9/8/00 Losing my waist in stow

ANSWER	September 28, 2000


Having strong abdominal muscles can be very helpful in maintaining your posture and protecting you from back pain during pregnancy. Sit-ups will not, however, give you a small waist, no matter what! Your shape will need to change as your baby grows. As you get past 20 weeks pregnant, it is not a good idea to lie flat on your back for more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time, because the uterus presses on the large blood vessels responsible for bringing blood back to the heart. You might also be interested in our article on safe exercise during pregnancy. — by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

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