Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates Service Dublin
Prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal Pilates has been advocated for women by healthcare practitioners across the world. Physiotherapy-led Pilates can tailor movements to the physiological changes of pregnancy, keeping you and your baby safe.
Recent research has found prenatal and postnatal Pilates can improve quality of life, decrease pain, and improve strength and endurance. Pilates can also speed up your postnatal recovery. Let PREP Physio take the stress out of exercise.
- 1:1 with Laura
- Chartered Physiotherapist
- 60 minutes · €90
Your physiotherapist
Led by Laura Bhreathnach
All pre and postnatal Pilates sessions are 1:1 with Laura, Managing Director and Senior Chartered Physiotherapist at PREP Physio. Pre and postnatal rehabilitation is one of Laura’s special interests.
Laura holds an MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy from UCD, is APPI Pilates trained, and has over 10 years’ experience in private practice and sport in Ireland and the UK.
Book with LauraWhy physio-led prenatal Pilates?
It is important for your physical and mental wellbeing, where possible, to maintain some form of exercise throughout pregnancy. Pilates can help you feel physically and mentally more prepared for your pregnancy.
There is an overwhelming amount of information on prenatal exercise, and it can be conflicting. The benefit of working with a Physiotherapist is that we can give you extra reassurance, and guide you with the most up-to-date and safe advice on exercise throughout your pregnancy.
Working alongside your medical team. We stay up to date with current guidelines and can work alongside any recommendations from your Gynaecologist. We perform a medical screen before you take part in any form of exercise – Pilates or otherwise – and we always give you time to ask all your questions.
Recent guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) advocate that all low-risk pregnancies should commence or continue with aerobic and progressive resistance strength training during the prenatal and postnatal period. Pilates can meet these recommendations, and research has also found it can have a positive effect on your postnatal recovery and on your and your baby’s long-term health.
The benefits of PREP prenatal Pilates
- Led by an experienced Chartered Physiotherapist
- Tailored to keep you and your baby safe
- Strengthens the pelvic floor
- Strengthens the stomach muscles
- Strengthens the glutes, arms and back
- Helps reduce pelvic girdle and low back pain
- Relaxation
- Breathing control for labour and relaxation
- Improves balance, decreasing the risk of falls
- Helps maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy
- Can speed up your postpartum recovery
Many clients pair their Pilates with our pregnancy massage, which is specifically adapted to the needs of the pregnant client.
Book your 1:1 session with Laura
Private, physio-led Pilates tailored to your stage of pregnancy or recovery.
Why physio-led postnatal Pilates?
All sessions are 1:1, so you can book appointments in our Ballsbridge clinic around you and your baby’s schedule. As Pilates is a low-impact postural muscle conditioning programme, it is the perfect exercise to start you on the road to recovery.
Research has found that postnatal Pilates has positive physical effects – increased strength, flexibility and stability – as well as positive mental effects, including improved mood, decreased postpartum fatigue and increased confidence. It can also help decrease low back, pelvic girdle, pelvic floor and hip pain.
Checked for abdominal separation first. Research has found that sustained contraction of the abdominal muscles can have a positive effect on reducing diastasis recti (abdominal separation). We assess this before you start any form of Pilates, so you are doing the right exercises at the right time for you.
Laura will progressively load you and make sure you feel challenged every step of the way. If you need more hands-on care, our physiotherapy service can help with postnatal pain and rehabilitation.
The benefits of postnatal Pilates
- A great place to start exercising again
- Strengthens the stomach muscles
- Strengthens the pelvic floor
- Strengthens the upper body and back
- Helps decrease low back and pelvic girdle pain
- Can help reduce incontinence
- Improves mobility
- Increases confidence
- Improves mood
- Reduces fatigue
- Improves body awareness
Not pregnant or postnatal? See our clinical & physio-led Pilates and Pilates for golfers.
Pre & postnatal Pilates price
1:1 Pre or Postnatal Pilates with Laura
60 minutesSee our full price list for all treatments.
Pre & postnatal Pilates FAQs
Is it a class or 1:1?
All pre and postnatal Pilates at PREP Physio is 1:1 with Laura, a Chartered Physiotherapist. We don’t run group classes, so every session is tailored to you and your stage of pregnancy or recovery.
Who leads the sessions?
Laura Bhreathnach, Managing Director and Senior Chartered Physiotherapist at PREP Physio. Laura is APPI Pilates trained, holds an MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy from UCD, and has a special interest in pre and postnatal rehabilitation.
Do I need to have done Pilates before?
No. Sessions are tailored to you, whether you are completely new to Pilates or have practised it for years.
When can I start postnatal Pilates?
We assess you before you start any form of Pilates – including checking for abdominal separation (diastasis recti) – so you are doing the right exercises at the right time for you. Please also follow any advice from your own medical team.
How much does it cost?
A 60-minute 1:1 pre or postnatal Pilates session with Laura is €90.
Where is the clinic?
62 Baggot Lane, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (D04 PW65). See our contact page for directions.
Book 1:1 pre or postnatal Pilates in Ballsbridge
With Laura Bhreathnach, Chartered Physiotherapist – Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm.