With the shocked looks I get as I finish up my Air Bike sprints, also come a lot of questions from other women.

Is that safe? Wow, should all women train like that? Did your doctor approve that? How should I train during my pregnancy? What should I change in my current workout routine now that I am pregnant?

When I first found out I was pregnant, there was a mourning period. Although we are of course happy and blessed to be able to have children (and wanted to grow our family), there was still a part of me that was mourning the loss of everything in my life that came before this. My whole life I have identified as an elite athlete turned fitness professional. The majority of my 30 years on earth has revolved around my body, it’s performance levels, and my health and fitness. The first three months of pregnancy I was learning to accept change and I remained in shock and denial for a long time….

The pelvic floor does not only need to be strong and contract, but it also needs to be able to relax. The pelvic floor needs to work in symphony during active labour. The pelvic floor is made up of muscles, nerves, ligaments and fasciae. The good news is, we’re well practiced as our pelvic floor has been activated ever since our first breath. The pelvic floor is connected to our diaphragm and upper abdominal muscles. Inhale and it relaxes, exhale and it contracts. This is why deep breathing exercises pre, during and post labour are crucial for an optimal pelvic floor function (3). Deep breathing exercises are safe for everyone, as they stimulate both contraction and relaxation. On the contrary, exercises like Kegels may have a positive or negative effect on pelvic floor function based on the individual needs. For example, if one’s pelvic floor is over active/contracted they would benefit more from relaxation drills and more Kegels could actually lead to more dysfunction. Consult with a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist if you’re unsure what’s best for your body.