Zhao Yitong, 27, a fitness instructor in Anshan, northeast China's Liaoning province, still keeps physical exercises including yoga and pole dancing during her pregnancy. She even keeps the abdominal muscles in the ninth month of pregnancy. Her photos and story went viral online.

Zhao is gymnastics and pole dancing instructor. In the fourth month of the pregnancy, she still participated in a national pole dancing competition and finished sixth in duet dancing. "At that time no one knew I was pregnant. If they did, no one would allow me to participate in the competition," Zhao said.

Thanks to the uninterrupted exercises during the pregnancy, Zhao is proud to still keep the abs. "Before the pregnancy, I had six-pack abs. During the pregnancy, the uterus has stretched, pushing the abs aside to waist. However, they still can be seen when I do the strength exercises," Zhao said.

Zhao said that her family members were at first against her exercise, but they became quite supportive later. "They know that I love sports and I also have adapted to this exercise. They no longer opposed anymore," Zhao said.

Zhao said that her husband actually cared a lot about the baby's health. He kept asking the doctor if the baby was in good condition when she had four-dimensional ultrasound last time. The doctor told him that the baby is even better than normal. Zhao is expected to give birth in early April. She hopes everything will go well.

Zhao's photos and story triggered hot debate online. Some netizens admired what she did. Some thought that she only cared about her interest, regardless of the baby's health.

Ma Xin, a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology, said: "If the woman does exercise frequently before pregnancy, it's normal and healthy if she keeps doing it." She added if the mother’s strong abs can prevent the back pain during the pregnancy, facilitate accouchement and help postpartum recovery.

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