Plank While Pregnant

Relish in a reason to have a fat stomach for 9 months....

I'm in my 3rd trimester & still doing full planks on floor & on reformer. The only info I was given by my doc , was to stop any exercise if bleeding, cramping, or leaking occurred & any instructor I've had, hasn't instructed differently.

ETA: Planks are actually a preferred abdominal exercise, while pregnant. Crunches & sit-ups should not be done after the 1st trimester.

It is a basic modification technique to put your knees down. To me, it's common sense.

No plank, with or without knees. There are many pilates and yoga that you can do on your side that work both obliques and abdominals. I went to yoga three times p/ week with a pilates instructor while pregnant and kept tone.

Too, think about the extra weight stretching your skin.

I stopped doing blanks and my regular exercise routine around 15 weeks --I do kick boxing, and I just couldn't do punches and turns comfortably anymore!

I would put my knees down. Anything that strains your stomach is a bad idea, so says my midwife.

I am a certified personal trainer and on my 3rd pregnancy. I am 23 weeks now and still doing a full plank for about 45 seconds at a time. My trainer who just had a baby 3 months ago and my midwife both agree that it is totally safe to continue throughout the duration of my pregnancy as long as it doesn't cause any type of major cramping or bleeding it should be pretty safe and actually will be very beneficial in pushing while in labor! Good job keeping up exercising during pregnancy and just do what you feel comfortable with your body will know before anyone else if something doesn't feel ok!! :)

I did the plank during both of my pregnancies, overseen by a trainer. Though I stopped doing the side plank once I grew too big (and some joked how long before I tipped over!)

A couple of thoughts: did you discuss it with the instructor? Perhaps you were holding your breath? Just curious if it was his/her training or observation of something you were doing that brought on the modified version.
If your Dr. has no concerns tell the instructor so and keep the lines of communication open. They're just trying to do their job and look out for you.

Whatever you decide, keep doing something! Full or modified plank will benefit your total core which is great while pregnant and post.

Good luck :-)