Maternal Fitness Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy, an Easier Labor, and a Quick Recovery

Get Your Body Ready for the Marathon of Labor!If you're newly pregnant, you're probably watching your diet carefully, getting plenty of rest, and preparing for the arrival of your new baby. You're also thinking about the big day itself and what the experience of labor will be like. Even if you're following a regular fitness program, you'll want to do everything you can to strengthen and prepare your body for the rigors of labor.Maternal Fitnessfeatures clearly illustrated exercises that focus specifically on the muscle groups you'll use throughout labor, especially the transverse abdominals -- the stomach muscles that play a critical role during delivery. A powerful set of transverse abs can speed labor and delivery and make for a quick recovery. By learning how to strengthen your abdominals and relax your pelvic floor muscles, you'll be able to push more effectively.While the Maternal Fitness program is designed specifically for the big moment, it also has other benefits, from minimizing backache and fatigue to giving you a welcome head start on getting back into shape after childbirth. Developed by a professional trainer who is also a registered nurse and childbirth educator, the Maternal Fitness program is safe for you and your baby and easy to do. Once learned, it can be incorporated into any workout.

Julie Tupler, R.N., is a certified personal trainer, fitness instructor, and childbirth educator (she is pictured on the front cover). She is the creator of Maternal Fitness, a labor-preparation program that features the Tupler Technique, exercises that are unique to her pregnancy workout. ANDREA THOMPSON is a freelance writer and editor who has contributed to numerous magazines. Both authors live in New York City.