During pregnancy, which exercise is contraindicated?

During pregnancy, which exercise is contraindicated?

• A. Curl-ups
• B. Bridging
• C. Double leg lifts
• D. Deep breathing with forced expiration

Answer: (C)

During pregnancy, movements that significantly increase intra-abdominal pressure or stress the abdominal wall and pelvic floor are avoided. Lying on your back and lifting both legs straight up forces the abdominal muscles to work hard to control the legs, which markedly raises intra-abdominal pressure. This can worsen diastasis recti, strain the pelvic floor, and cause back discomfort as the pregnancy progresses. For that reason, this leg-lift maneuver is contraindicated. Safer options include bridging, which can be done with knees bent to keep pressure lower, and breathing-focused activities that avoid breath-holding or Valsalva. Curl-ups are also discouraged later in pregnancy due to abdominal wall strain, but the most problematic choice among these is the double leg lift because of the higher intra-abdominal pressure and pelvic-floor load.

During pregnancy, movements that significantly increase intra-abdominal pressure or stress the abdominal wall and pelvic floor are avoided. Lying on your back and lifting both legs straight up forces the abdominal muscles to work hard to control the legs, which markedly raises intra-abdominal pressure. This can worsen diastasis recti, strain the pelvic floor, and cause back discomfort as the pregnancy progresses. For that reason, this leg-lift maneuver is contraindicated. Safer options include bridging, which can be done with knees bent to keep pressure lower, and breathing-focused activities that avoid breath-holding or Valsalva. Curl-ups are also discouraged later in pregnancy due to abdominal wall strain, but the most problematic choice among these is the double leg lift because of the higher intra-abdominal pressure and pelvic-floor load.