![\"Pip](\"https:\/\/healthylivinglondon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pip-and-joan-FrameMumhood.jpg\")
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We interviewed Pip Black to find out a bit more about the new addition to Frame. <\/strong><\/p>\n When Joan and I fell pregnant for the first time, it was quite a shock to find how limited the options for pregnant women to continue to exercise were. Advice was contradictory and definitely fell on the side of caution, but at the same time having done our own research into it and being extremely active pre-pregnancy, we knew that staying active would keep us sane and ultimately would be best for our bodies and create the best possible start to life for our babies.<\/span><\/p>\n As a new mum, exercise, especially group exercise, will help get you out of the house and help to prevent postnatal depression. It will also help you to get on with your daily life without injuring yourself, and help to boost your energy levels.<\/span><\/p>\n When Joan fell pregnant the second time, the timing felt right for us to seriously think about launching Mumhood which we had been quietly working on for the past year or so. Through Frame we had started to see the number of pregnant ladies coming into the studios confused and wondering what they can\/can\u2019t do, but keen to keep exercising and we wanted to do something positive that would be of benefit both to our current customers, but also to those pregnant ladies and new mums around the country, who may not have access to somewhere like Frame.<\/span><\/p>\n A community with other Mums and Mums to be, a way to share tips and concerns with each other. Alongside classes the Mumhood platform also provides online videos and advice that you can use in the comfort of your own home.<\/span><\/p>\n In terms of the exercise programmes, they have been created with the active woman in mind. We found from personal experience that everything was overly cautious and aimed at the woman who had a very low starting point in terms of fitness level, but we know now, that exercise is an integral part of many women\u2019s lives and that they want to continue to exercise in a safe, yet effective way throughout their pregnancy. For example, our yoga videos, especially in the second trimester, are based on a modified Vinyasa Flow incorporating strength and endurance work, rather than purely breathing exercises.<\/span><\/p>\n As you enter a new stage of your life, keeping fit and healthy is more important than ever, you\u2019re going to need a new-found strength, both mentally and physically, to deal with carrying car seats up flights of stairs, cooking one-handed with a baby on your hip, and to endure yet another sleepless night. <\/span><\/p>\n The right kind of exercises during pregnancy and as a new mum can also go a long way to reducing or completely preventing any pain that can result from the changes going on in your body as your baby grows inside you and as it starts to knit itself back together post birth.<\/span><\/p>\n Joan Murphy and Pip Black of Mumhood<\/p><\/div>\n That you can\u2019t squat, or that if you run, your baby might fall out! Both are totally wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n Squats! They work the entire body, can bring a cardio element and help to engage the pelvic floor. Add weights for more of a challenge, or hold a broomstick above your head whilst you squat to engage the upper back muscles and help to improve posture and limit shoulder pain. This is linked to the fact that miscarriage is more common in the first trimester. However, research has proven that there is no direct link between exercise and miscarriage, in a low-risk pregnancy. Often there is very little you can do to prevent a miscarriage and it\u2019s often because something is not right with the foetus.<\/span><\/p>\n We allow and encourage exercise in the first trimester, as long as you\u2019re feeling up to it (some women just don\u2019t) but advise to read and follow our pregnancy guidelines, limit the intensity to 70% of maximum and always listen to your body.<\/span><\/p>\n The Mumhood jumper<\/p><\/div>\n Our new maternity athleisure Frame collection with Mamas & Papas. The collection is made from stretchy, lightweight fabrics, featuring elasticated waistbands for bump support and is designed to flatter a growing bump throughout all stages of pregnancy. The collection is available to buy in all our Frame Studios and online at www.moveyourframe.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n If a woman hasn\u2019t exercised prior to pregnancy, we would advise that she sticks to pregnancy specific classes, rather than trying to modify an open class. Pregnancy specific classes are designed with a pregnant body in mind and therefore all exercises will be safe. It\u2019s worth ringing up the studio to check that the class is suitable for beginners and to check what you need to take (most studios will have mats, equipment, but it\u2019s always good to be sure).<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019d advise having a light snack 1 hour – 30 minutes before the start of the class so that your energy levels + blood sugar don\u2019t crash during class and to sip on water throughout.<\/span><\/p>\n Anything that is high impact, has a contact element, or involves lots of sharp, fast changes of direction, for example rugby, hockey, skiing, horse-riding, even running from the second trimester (unless you\u2019re a seasoned runner and are feeling great).<\/span><\/p>\n Pip Black & Joan Murphy<\/p><\/div>\n For me, I am really enjoying Reformer Pilates in my second trimester. It\u2019s really helping with my posture and preventing pain, it also makes me feel taller (and therefore slightly less dumpy) and I can really feel it in my glutes (problem area) and the stretches feel amazing on my middle and upper back! I am currently modifying an open class (I\u2019m 27 weeks pregnant) but I will need to start pregnancy specific classes from next week as I\u2019m beginning to get a little big for lots of the exercises.<\/span><\/p>\nWhy did you create Mumhood? <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
What does it give pregnant women that other platforms don\u2019t?<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
Why is doing exercise during pregnancy so important? <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"Joan](\"https:\/\/healthylivinglondon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/image003.jpg\")
What\u2019s the biggest myth you\u2019ve encountered about exercising during pregnancy?<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
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What\u2019s the best exercise women can do throughout the whole of their pregnancy?<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"Mumhood](\"https:\/\/healthylivinglondon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Mumhood.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\nLots of studios don\u2019t allow women to exercise before they\u2019ve reached 3 months – why is this? <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
What is the best activewear you\u2019d recommend for pregnant women? <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"Pip](\"https:\/\/healthylivinglondon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mum-hood-jumper-pip-244x300.jpg\")
If a pregnant woman is thinking of trying a class for the first time, never having done it before, how should she approach it? <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
If you\u2019re pregnant are there any particular types of exercise you should stay away from completely?<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"Pip](\"https:\/\/healthylivinglondon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/image002.jpg\")
What was your favourite exercise throughout pregnancy? <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
What can pregnant women do to ensure they\u2019re as healthy as possible during pregnancy? <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n