Calgary Baby Guide 2023-2024

One of the most important principles of Pilates is
the breath. Besides keeping us alive, breathing
calms our mind and nervous system, helps
concentration and focus, improves circulation,
restores energy, and assists our deep core for
movement and control. As your pregnancy
progresses, you may find you develop shortness
of breath with less room to breathe. Breath
training may help prevent this from happening as
well as support you during labour and assist with
recovery after delivery.
Are there reasons when I should not try
Pilates during my pregnancy?
If you have co-existing health conditions, such as
pre-eclampsia, or are a high-risk pregnancy, you
will need to get medical clearance from your
medical team before starting with a Pilates
program. A good form to take to your
pregnancy caregiver is the PARmed-X for
pregnancy. You and your baby’s safety are our
top priority.
Here are a few tips to help you feel more
comfortable during a Pilates session:
1. We will modify many of the Pilates poses
for you as you progress throughout your
pregnancy.
2. Stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle with
you to prevent dehydration.
3. Avoid any exercise that causes you to strain
or hold your breath. This can result in
increasing your blood pressure leading to
hypertension.
4. Prioritize healthy living, nutrition, exercise,
and sleep. These factors affect your overall
health. You will have more energy to
exercise if you are eating a nutritious and
balanced diet and are getting a good
night’s sleep. Managing fatigue is
important during pregnancy and
post-natal.
5. If you experience pain during or after
exercise, make sure you alert your
instructor or physiotherapist. You may have
to modify or change an exercise. If the
pain persists, plan to meet with your
physiotherapist to assess and determine an
appropriate treatment plan.
I am 6 weeks post-partum and my
doctor said I can go back to my regular
activities. Can I start with a Pilates class
now?
It would be best to have an assessment with a
pelvic floor physiotherapist around the 6-week
post-partum mark prior to resuming activity. A
pelvic floor physiotherapist will assess the
function of the pelvic floor musculature, screen
for any pelvic organ prolapse and check your
core and external pelvic strength. With this
information they can give you exercises specific
to your body’s needs post- partum. They can
also guide you through breathing techniques,
and appropriate pelvic floor and core
engagement to ensure that you get the most out
of the Pilates class and perform all the exercises
in a safe manner for the pelvic floor.
What is the difference between a
physiotherapist trained in Pilates
(Physio Pilates) and a Pilates Instructor?
A physiotherapist is a medical professional who
is trained to help restore movement and function
when someone is affected by illness, injury, or
pain. A physiotherapist trained in Pilates has
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