Prenatal Pilates FAQs.
Introduction (add above the existing FAQ list):
Our 8-week prenatal Pilates course at Articulate Physiotherapy in Tarragindi is designed specifically for pregnant women and birthing persons looking to stay strong, comfortable and prepared for birth. Led by physiotherapists and exercise physiologists with specialist qualifications in prenatal exercise, our small group classes of five ensure you receive the individual attention your changing body needs.
If you have a specific condition or pain — including pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti or lower back pain — we recommend booking a private physiotherapy assessment before commencing the course so we can tailor your program from day one.
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often.
When should I be joining Prenatal Pilates?
Most of our students join in somewhere in the second trimester (from 12 weeks +), and continue all the way up until birth (40 weeks +). As you move through each trimester the exercises will change, and the focus will shift from general fitness to birth preparation.
What makes Prenatal Pilates different from general classes?
As your belly grows, certain positions like laying flat on your back become contraindicated, as well as certain abdominal exercises. Prenatal Pilates ensures that all the exercises you do are safe, but more importantly that they help to support your changing body. Towards the end of your pregnancy there will be a big focus on birth preparation, but also postpartum recovery. The stronger you are towards the end of your pregnancy, the easier your rehab after birth will hopefully be!
I've been told there are exercises I need to avoid/modify - is that ok?
Absolutely! We are happy to liaise with any of your health team outside of Articulate including other physiotherapists and your obstetrician or midwife. Just ask them to write us a letter or give us a call, and we're more than happy to stay in communication with them about what you're doing and how you're progressing. All of our courses focus on modifying for pregnancy as well as common pregnancy conditions (such as PGP and common aches and pains) and our team can also provide physiotherapy for a variety of pregnancy aches and pains.
What equipment do you use?
Our beautiful Tarragindi clinic courses use reformers, wunda chairs and smaller equipment as well as mat based exercises. This gives us far more variety than just using reformers.
I know I'm going to miss more than one class - can I still sign up?
Of course! As we limit numbers in our sold-out classes it can be difficult to offer multiple makeups in Prenatal specific classes. We do ask that you try wherever possible to attend the course you are booked in for. If you know that you cannot make multiple weeks we recommend coming to our Clinical or General classes as an alternative as these offer far greater flexibility.
I've never done Pilates before. Is that ok?
Absolutely! Around 80% of our Prenatal course attendees have never done Pilates before (or maybe just a class or two). Although the equipment can look intimidating, the springs actually make exercises both more challenging AND easier. No matter where your fitness lies, Pilates can be completely adjusted to you! Our small class sizes mean lots of individual attention so you truly are in safe hands.
Is Pilates safe during the first trimester?
We recommend waiting until the second trimester (12 weeks+) to start the course, as this is when most women feel more settled and the risk of miscarriage has reduced. If you are in your first trimester and would like to stay active, our general Pilates classes are pregnancy-friendly with modifications, and our Clinical Exercise Classes run by our physiotherapists are another safe option. Please let us know you are pregnant so your instructor can modify accordingly.
What if I have pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti or other pregnancy conditions?
Our prenatal Pilates course is designed with common pregnancy conditions in mind and exercises are modified as needed. For more complex presentations — significant pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti, or pregnancy-related back pain — we recommend booking a women's health physiotherapy assessment before or alongside the course so your physiotherapist can work with your Pilates instructor to ensure your program is appropriately tailored.
Can I claim prenatal Pilates on private health?
We are able to provide an invoice for private health claiming under code 595 (Exercise Physiology Group). We encourage you to check with your fund before booking to confirm your coverage, as entitlements vary between funds and policy levels.
What happens after the 8 weeks — can I continue?
Absolutely. Many participants continue through further 8-week blocks right up to birth. After birth, our Mums and Bubs postnatal Pilates course picks up where prenatal leaves off — typically starting at 6 to 8 weeks postnatal with clearance from your GP or obstetrician.
If you have any questions not answered here, call us on 07 3706 3407 or email [email protected] — we'd love to help you have your healthiest pregnancy possible. To book, use the link below.
Our 8-week prenatal Pilates course at Articulate Physiotherapy in Tarragindi is designed specifically for pregnant women and birthing persons looking to stay strong, comfortable and prepared for birth. Led by physiotherapists and exercise physiologists with specialist qualifications in prenatal exercise, our small group classes of five ensure you receive the individual attention your changing body needs.
If you have a specific condition or pain — including pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti or lower back pain — we recommend booking a private physiotherapy assessment before commencing the course so we can tailor your program from day one.
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often.
When should I be joining Prenatal Pilates?
Most of our students join in somewhere in the second trimester (from 12 weeks +), and continue all the way up until birth (40 weeks +). As you move through each trimester the exercises will change, and the focus will shift from general fitness to birth preparation.
What makes Prenatal Pilates different from general classes?
As your belly grows, certain positions like laying flat on your back become contraindicated, as well as certain abdominal exercises. Prenatal Pilates ensures that all the exercises you do are safe, but more importantly that they help to support your changing body. Towards the end of your pregnancy there will be a big focus on birth preparation, but also postpartum recovery. The stronger you are towards the end of your pregnancy, the easier your rehab after birth will hopefully be!
I've been told there are exercises I need to avoid/modify - is that ok?
Absolutely! We are happy to liaise with any of your health team outside of Articulate including other physiotherapists and your obstetrician or midwife. Just ask them to write us a letter or give us a call, and we're more than happy to stay in communication with them about what you're doing and how you're progressing. All of our courses focus on modifying for pregnancy as well as common pregnancy conditions (such as PGP and common aches and pains) and our team can also provide physiotherapy for a variety of pregnancy aches and pains.
What equipment do you use?
Our beautiful Tarragindi clinic courses use reformers, wunda chairs and smaller equipment as well as mat based exercises. This gives us far more variety than just using reformers.
I know I'm going to miss more than one class - can I still sign up?
Of course! As we limit numbers in our sold-out classes it can be difficult to offer multiple makeups in Prenatal specific classes. We do ask that you try wherever possible to attend the course you are booked in for. If you know that you cannot make multiple weeks we recommend coming to our Clinical or General classes as an alternative as these offer far greater flexibility.
I've never done Pilates before. Is that ok?
Absolutely! Around 80% of our Prenatal course attendees have never done Pilates before (or maybe just a class or two). Although the equipment can look intimidating, the springs actually make exercises both more challenging AND easier. No matter where your fitness lies, Pilates can be completely adjusted to you! Our small class sizes mean lots of individual attention so you truly are in safe hands.
Is Pilates safe during the first trimester?
We recommend waiting until the second trimester (12 weeks+) to start the course, as this is when most women feel more settled and the risk of miscarriage has reduced. If you are in your first trimester and would like to stay active, our general Pilates classes are pregnancy-friendly with modifications, and our Clinical Exercise Classes run by our physiotherapists are another safe option. Please let us know you are pregnant so your instructor can modify accordingly.
What if I have pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti or other pregnancy conditions?
Our prenatal Pilates course is designed with common pregnancy conditions in mind and exercises are modified as needed. For more complex presentations — significant pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti, or pregnancy-related back pain — we recommend booking a women's health physiotherapy assessment before or alongside the course so your physiotherapist can work with your Pilates instructor to ensure your program is appropriately tailored.
Can I claim prenatal Pilates on private health?
We are able to provide an invoice for private health claiming under code 595 (Exercise Physiology Group). We encourage you to check with your fund before booking to confirm your coverage, as entitlements vary between funds and policy levels.
What happens after the 8 weeks — can I continue?
Absolutely. Many participants continue through further 8-week blocks right up to birth. After birth, our Mums and Bubs postnatal Pilates course picks up where prenatal leaves off — typically starting at 6 to 8 weeks postnatal with clearance from your GP or obstetrician.
If you have any questions not answered here, call us on 07 3706 3407 or email [email protected] — we'd love to help you have your healthiest pregnancy possible. To book, use the link below.