After running around after Your kids all day, how many of You have time to worry about our own fitness and health? FitMum is a new lifestyle program, which focuses on the health and well-being of Mothers-to-Be and new Mothers with young children.

Recent research indicates that there are huge benefits from exercise during pregnancy, both in preparing You for the rigours of labour and returning to Your pre-pregnancy figure much faster. It also reduces the chance of developing gestational diabetes in pregnancy, helps in the prevention of post natal depression and improves moods and sleep patterns. Dr James Clapp MD has shown that women who exercise regularly during pregnancies have a 35% decrease in the need for pain relief during labour, 75% decrease in the incidence of maternal exhaustion in labour and are 50% less likely to be induced or to need an episiotomy. The same research also shows that the placentas of women who exercise regularly in early to mid pregnancy grow faster and function better than those of women who don’t. (Exercising Through Pregnancy, Addicus Books, 2003)

It is important to follow a fitness program designed specifically for pregnancy, and for recovery after the birth, as there are several health guidelines and modifications to exercises, which must be made. During pregnancy, each trimester has recommendations to ensure safe exercising, including monitoring heart rate, controlled body temperature (i.e. not over-heating), increases in fluid intake, modifications to stretching, and the removal of certain exercises as Your pregnancy progresses. Guidelines to regain Your pre-pregnancy shape after the birth are also important, to ensure adequate recovery and consideration of the type of birth when designing Your programme.

Correct abdominal function is important during pregnancy, to ensure core stability as Your posture changes and weight increases to reduce the chance of injury and back pain. It is also important to re-establish the neurological pathways to the deep abdominal muscles after childbirth, so that the core muscles are strong and work effectively to support everyday activities without causing injury. Vacuuming, hanging out washing, carrying kids and other daily activities require good abdominal strength to protect the back.

Each woman and each pregnancy is different, therefore it is important to seek advice from Your obstetrician or other medical professional before beginning a new exercise programme. The FitMum DVD is a training program designed for Mothers to use in their own home, or at a local pool, including aqua, weights, cardio-vascular, stretch and meditation components of the program. It also provides information from experts on nutrition, birthing and the benefits of exercise.

FitMum offers classes in the private studio in Clovelly specifically for pregnant women and new Mums to train together. These classes include aqua exercise classes or weights and stretch classes held in personal training studio environments, local parks and swimming pools.