What is the Fit To Deliver Program?

A Prenatal fitness program can mean a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy, an easier delivery and a healthier baby. How can that be, you ask. How can huffing and puffing help ME when I have hemorrhoids and swollen feet? Exercise during pregnancy has proven to help reduce your chances of developing diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Exercise also decreases the chance that you will require a c-section or forceps during delivery. And women who have exercised during pregnancy have shorter labors and that will definitely be of help to you!

As for your baby! It may seem odd, but it is true. Babies born from mothers who participated in a prenatal exercise program during pregnancy start life ahead of the pack. Their babies show less signs of "distress" during labor and are able to tolerate the birth process a bit easier than their counterparts. When the infants born to exercising moms were tested throughout the first five years of life, they were found to have developed motor and language skills earlier and more effectively than their playmates. Together you're stronger! If mom had an easier pregnancy and labor and baby had an easier time adjusting to birth you will both be stronger. If you start out stronger, the rest of the worries won't seem so large. (We can at least hope!)

Prenatal Fitness Program Fact Sheet

Fit to Deliver prenatal fitness program is the first program to be developed by a physician (Dr. Karen Nordahl), personal trainers (Sarah Arscott, Martha Sirdevan, Wendy Foo) and physical therapist (Carl Petersen).
Fit to Deliver is based on the belief that most women can and should remain active during pregnancy.
Fit to Deliver is a practical program tailored for different fitness levels and stages of pregnancy.
The program focuses on three principles:
- Prevention - helping to reduce the chances of back pain, effects of poor posture and diastis recti (the separation of abdominal muscles that can sometimes happen in pregnancy).
- Preparation - helps to strengthen the muscles women need in labour and the upper body strength needed for caring for a newborn.
- Restoration - if a woman exercises during the pregnancy, she will have an easier time regaining pre-pregnancy shape.
The Fit to Deliver program outlines exercises for each trimester; postural reminders; warm-up and cool-down exercises; stretching techniques; smart aerobic guidelines; strength training; trunk (core) stability and nutritional information.
By following the Fit to Deliver exercise program, under the supervision of caregivers, women can increase their chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Expectant mothers can order the "Fit to Deliver" book or learn more about the program by calling 1-800-511-1225 or visiting www.fittodeliver.com