Posture in Pregnancy

Not surprisingly, pregnancy affects a woman's posture considerably.

During the late stages of pregnancy a normal posture curve is lost. The body’s centre of gravity is moved forward, the knees extend, the shoulders become more rounded and the head thrusts forward.

Consequently, ligaments and muscles supporting the spine are put under considerable strain and an exaggerated lumbar curve places strain on the thoracic (upper back) and cervical (neck) spine.

Pregnant posture can be improved by correct tilting of the pelvis, which in turn will help maintain the correct tone of abdominal muscles and reduce the strain on the lumbar (lower back) spine.

An action as simple as pulling the shoulders back a little so they are not hunched forward helps to pull the pelvis into a better position.

When standing up in pregnancy for a prolonged period alternating the position of the feet (one in front of the other followed by the reverse) helps to keep weight evenly distributed and reduce strain on the spine.

When sitting, it's generally accepted that it's best to sit with both feet on the ground or with feet slightly raised on a footstool – sitting with crossed legs will twist the pelvis and spine and also impair blood circulation in the legs.

More comprehensive information on maintaining correct posture during pregnancy can be found at the following website: