Planning to labour at home or to stay at home as long as possible before heading to the hospital? Labour is one heck of a workout and demands lots of endurance from the body, especially supporting muscles like the legs and hips. Practise birth squats to build endurance and flexibility before the big day arrives. Stand with feet hip-width apart, toes slightly turned out. Gently squat down until bum is below knees and as close to the floor as possible. Keep heels down, chest up and eyes up. Place palms together and press knees outward with elbows. Breathe and hold squat 10 seconds. Press up, bearing down into your heels. Repeat 8-10 times.
~ Dara Duff-Bergeron is a veteran fitness trainer and a specialist in women’s health and fitness. With a decade under her belt, Dara now shares her exceptional experience and down-to-earth philosophy through Fit Family (fitfamily.ca) personal training and Belly Bootcamp (http://www.bellybootcamp.ca) pre- and post-natal fitness. Dara is mommy of one with another on the way, and lives in Toronto with her own little fit family.
