Important Exercises to Practice Before Labor

Congrats to all soon moms-to-be!

You've gotten this far in your pregnancy and awaiting the day you can hold your sweet child. You're staying active, eating healthy, and squeezing in naps... but are you missing anything that would help you in labor?

1) Are you walking? Keep it up!
Walking consistently will help you gain endurance - something you will definitely need in labor! Walking also gives cardiovascular benefits for both you and your baby, making it easier for the both of you during labor and delivery.

2) You're going to need to push for a long period - do isometric ab exercises!
You can't do crunches during pregnancy; however, you CAN do isometrics! Stand tall and pretend you are pulling your navel to the back of your spine. Hold for 10 and repeat throughout the day. Look for prenatal abdominal exercises on videos/online as well. Your abdominals are NEEDED to effectively push!

3) Continue strength training!
Just 20 minutes of strength training 3x a week can make you incredibly strong. You've got labor ahead as well as a baby to carry around! (On a regular trip out, you'll be carrying the baby in the car seat, a diaper bag, and your purse if you carry one - that's a lot to carry, especially if you aren't used to it!) Again, I would check out prenatal workout videos/online articles for great examples.

4) Keep up with the Kegels!
If you haven't been doing them already, NOW is the time to start! When the time comes when your body feels the need to start pushing, you'll need to keep your body from doing so until you are ready (dilated to 10cm) - this is where your pelvic floor muscles come in! These are the muscles that stop urine flow. Hold them for 10 and repeat throughout the day!

Jillian Michaels

Reviews of Jillian Michaels workout DVDs

From my personal experience, I have found Jillian Michaels' set of workout videos to be highly effective! I am 2 months post-partum and breastfeeding, and already 6lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight! I still have about 10lbs that I'd like to lose, but so far I love how convenient her workouts are as far as time (the 30 Day Shred is 20 min each w/ 3 workouts in the DVD), giving me the chance to squeeze in a workout when my LO is napping.

Here's the low-down:

30 Day Shred
- Three 20-minute workouts, ranging from Level 1 to Level 3
- Equipment is only your body and 2-5lb weights
- Great for a good workout when you're short on time but want a challenge

No More Trouble Zones
- 50 min workout total (included 5 min warm-up and 5 min cool down)
- Equipment is your body and 2-5lb weights
- This workout is all strength training, but you do get a good cardiovascular workout in as well because of the fast-paced circuit training

Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism
- 50 min workout total (included 5 min warm-up and 5 min cool down
- Equipment is your body
- This workout is completely aerobic. VERY challenging - definitely leaves you with a good runner's high

Yoga Meltdown
- Two 30-minute workouts, ranging from Level 1 to Level 2
- Equipment is your body
- This is a great workout to do 2-3x a week. Don't think you're getting Zen with this workout! Jillian brings power moves to the video, leaving you sweating by each workout.

I have done an hour each (mix and match) of her workouts 5x week for the past week and I feel amazing. I'm breastfeeding too so I don't want to lose too much too fast.

Does anyone have any favorite Jillian Michaels workouts? What helped you lost the baby weight?

Take care, everyone!