Suddenly you find yourself with a little “pooch” and are sort of wondering if it’s OK to suck in your stomach when pregnant? Honestly, yes — but WHY is it OK and could it {gasp} even be good for you? Let’s find out?
Before we get started — hi, I’m Hilary The Pregnancy Nurse®. I’ve been a nurse since 1997 and I’ve worked in labor and delivery for 20 years — so I am well aware of the anatomy of pregnancy and what IS and is NOT safe. So let’s get going on this.
Is it safe for a pregnant woman to suck in their belly when pregnant?
Yes, for your first trimester (when most people are trying this) your baby is encompassed by a lot of muscle (both abdominal muscles and your uterus is made of muscle cells also), fat and amniotic fluid in the uterus. It really is so safe from things like sucking in your stomach, or laying on your stomach while pregnant.
Mother nature would have made us this way because most people didn’t even know they were pregnant until it had been quite a bit of a missed period back in the day. So, in order for the human race to survive that fetus needs to be very protected in your tummy.
Now, as you get further along it is also fine. It may get more uncomfortable though as baby may head up towards your lungs and breathing is awfully nice.
BUT it can also be GOOD for you — but why?
Really UNDERSTANDING what’s going on with your body, baby and uterus can realy simplify these topics to help you know what IS or is NOT OK. I’m all about making things (including birth) simple and easy!
Is it good for pregnant women to suck in their stomach?
While everyone’s “movement” when they suck in their stomach may be a bit different, most people are engaging their pelvic floor and pulling their belly button back towards their spine. And, working your pelvic floor during pregnancy can be really good for you. I was just reading a study about how doing pelvic floor exercises while pregnant it can help those tissues even after birth.
Now, I’d ask your provider if you could work with a pelvic floor physical therapist a time or two if this is something you want to work on, but there are also a lot online that you might find helpful as well.
Note: If you’re doing this frequently, talk with your provider about if you’re doing it in a way that is good for pregnancy, because there could be bad ways to do it that might hurt your stomach muscles overall.
It’s also important to take big breaths and allow your pelvic floor to relax too (this is great practice for giving birth). It’s also important to let your digestive system do it’s job (and we know that tight pants can make your stomach hurt even when you’re not pregnant).
Grab my safe eating guide while you’re here:
Why are you doing it?
This all begs the question WHY are you doing it. Are you trying to shove that baby bump into a pair of tight pants — well, that might be really uncomfortable and you might be better off finding some maternity clothes that help your pregnant belly not feel so squished. I have a whole post on early pregnancy clothes that might help.
If it’s making you uncomfortable, or affecting your ability to get a nice deep breath in this isn’t a great plan. But, when done appropriately, “sucking in” may actually help you in the long term. 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this quick dive into what’s OK or NOT OK to do during pregnancy. If you want the same for the rest of your pregnancy, birth and postpartum life come join me in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples where we get your prepared for all of that in just three hours!
Looking to get prepare for your birth? I have some easy options for you!
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– Worried you’re missing something? Grab my pregnancy planner so you don’t miss a thing!
– Thinking about an induction? Grab Inductions Made Easy to feel prepared in just 20 minutes!
– Wondering how to get that baby OUT? Grab Going Into Labor Made Easy so you know how to (and not to) do it!
– Postpartum got you anxious? Check out Postpartum Care Made Easy so you can stay SAFE even when all your attention is on that little on.
🚨 AND if ALL OF IT has got you on edge The Online Prenatal Class for Couples is perfect for you — You’ll feel so ready before you even know it!
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No matter WHERE you are at in your pregnancy journey, we have resources that can help!
Or, if you think that’s too much, come join me on my popular Pregnancy Nurse Facebook page where we chat all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum life!
- About the Author
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A nurse since 1997, she has worked in various fields including pediatrics, geriatrics & hospice. She has 20 years of labor and delivery experience in the San Jose, CA and Phoenix, AZ areas.
As an evidence-based prenatal educator Hilary has delivered thousands of babies and has educated hundreds of thousands of parents from a diverse patient population to help them have a confident birth.
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