While I still plan to write about my previous competition experiences (Previous pole competitions: Update August 2025), I wanted to share my experience with pole fitness and pregnancy while the memories are still fresh.
Please note: I’m not a doctor. This post is simply about my own experience with pole fitness and pregnancy.
My OB was supportive of Pole fitness during pregnancy
My first appointment at the OBGYN clinic was when I was about 11 weeks along. I wished I could have gone in sooner, but they only see patients after 10 weeks—which I later learned is common in the US.
On that first visit, they confirmed my pregnancy and went over the general dos and don’ts during pregnancy. My OB recommended aiming for 30 minutes of exercise a day, at least five days a week.
I asked about pole fitness/pole dance, and she told me that any workout I had been doing before pregnancy was okay to continue, except scuba diving and horseback riding. She also mentioned that she knows someone who did pole throughout her pregnancy, as well as people who kept up with CrossFit.
Her main advice was “Listen to your body and you’ll know when it’s time to stop.” I was happy to hear that I could continue pole and determined to enjoy it as much as possible.
First trimester: Not feeling like getting on the pole at all
I’ve been obsessed with pole for the last four years. I started taking classes regularly in 2021 (Read more: My Pole Journey: Tucson, Arizona) and have competed in six competitions. Pole had become a part of my daily life… so it was surprising (and a little frustrating) how quickly my motivation to pole declined during my first trimester.
Part of the reason was that I had terrible rashes throughout the first and second trimesters. It drove me crazy during my pregnancy because I could not sleep for a few months due to itchy skin. Since pole tricks require skin contact, it was uncomfortable to train. Another reason was that I was constantly out of energy and breath. Before pregnancy, I could stay on the pole for as long as time allowed. I had just competed at the POSA Pole Art World Championships in December 2024, where I would run my 3 minute 20 second routine multiple times in practice. It had only been a few months since then, so I doubted my stamina would have disappeared that quickly. But my pregnancy body was going through so many changes. The truth is, I simply couldn’t and honestly, didn’t want to pole as much. I still managed to attend class once or twice a week, but I stopped training at home or going to open pole sessions as often.
This was such a strange feeling. I didn’t feel like myself anymore. Fortunately, my morning sickness was not the worst; I was nauseous throughout the day, but I never actually threw up. I could eat, but no food tasted 100% good.
My food preference changed drastically. I used to love coffee and chocolate, but suddenly they didn’t taste good at all. Instead, I craved spicy and sour foods. What surprised me the most was that even water did not taste good. One day it tasted stale. It really felt like I was becoming a different person.
Workout – I was still keeping it up
My motivation for pole declined drastically; however, I still found some workouts I could enjoy. I liked to go on walks or jogging. I researched some pregnancy workout apps (there are so many out there!) and found Natal. I tried to keep up with working out at least 30 minutes per day. Some days it was hard to show up, but weirdly, I didn’t feel nauseous during my workout. It actually felt great to move.
Second trimester: Feeling better… but can’t invert anymore
By the second trimester, the morning sickness had finally passed. My food preferences stayed the same, but at least I could enjoy meals again. I also felt that my energy was back. At the same time, I noticed my straddle invert was getting harder each time. Soon, I was down to only being able to do a basic invert (no straddle, just get the legs around the pole), and before long, even that became impossible.
Around this time, my bump started to show and even a small bump made inversions difficult. I felt so heavy that I couldn’t lift my hips anymore. I don’t remember exactly what week I stopped inverting because it discouraged me from getting on the pole, but I think I stopped inverting towards the end of the second trimester.
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t frustrated. But the growing bump remined me that my body was busy growing this little baby. I focused on doing other workouts like jogging or workouts on the Natal app.
Third trimester: Handspring and Reiko Mount until 34 weeks
By the third trimester, inverts were no longer possible, but I could still manage a Handspring and a Reiko Mount comfortably. I only got on the pole about once a week for a few minutes because I was busy settling into our new home, working and preparing for the baby. But I still enjoyed a little moment on the pole.
After around 30 weeks, though, I felt even heavier. Handspring was only possible on a good day, while the Reiko Mount became the one move I could reliably count on. Then around 34 weeks, I noticed my belly started doming. It’s a sign that the abdominal muscles are under too much strain and can lead to diastasis recti. (Please refer to trusted resources for more details, since I am not a medical professional.)
I felt like I could push through, but my body was clearly saying “stop.” That was when I decided to step away from the pole completely. From then on, my daily workouts were walking and workouts from the Natal app.
Can’t wait to go back to the pole with my baby!
I’m writing this at 36 weeks, excited to meet my baby and also looking forward to getting back on the pole. I have no idea exactly what life will look like after giving birth, but my goal is to compete again in a few years.
I took XPERT’s Pre & Post Natal Pole & Aerial course during my second trimester to better understand what my body was going through. (I actually signed up during my first trimester, but I had no energy to get through it then.) I plan to revisit the course materials when I begin postnatal training.
I will write about my postnatal pole training journey here in a few months.
Thank you so much for reading!
