If you’re pregnant, you’re probably watching your diet, getting plenty of rest and preparing for the arrival of your new baby. You’re probably also thinking about what labor will be like. Will it be a four-hour breeze or 72 hours of hell? A lot of it depends on your muscles. Even if you’re getting regular exercise, there are specific fitness programs that can help strengthen and prepare your body for labor. “Maternal Fitness” was written by a professional trainer who is also a registered nurse and childbirth educator, so you can trust that the exercises are safe for you and your baby. The book features clearly illustrated exercises that focus specifically on the muscle groups you’ll use during labor, especially the transverse abdominals – the stomach muscles that play a critical role during delivery. Strong transverse abdominal muscles can speed labor and delivery and make for a quick recovery. By learning how to strengthen and relax these muscles at the right time, you’ll be able to push more effectively come delivery time. Here is one reader’s reaction after reading “Maternal Fitness”: “I did these exercises throughout my second pregnancy and, after nine easy hours of labor, was able to push the baby out in minutes.” Her first child took 56 hours of labor and nearly three hours of pushing, so she credits the Maternal Fitness program for an easier second labor. “[After the epidural] I had total control of my abdominal muscles,” she says, “but no pain.” While the “Maternal Fitness” exercises are specifically designed to help you get through delivery, they also have other benefits, such as minimizing back pain and fatigue to help you get back into shape after childbirth. While the author suggests doing the exercises regularly and often, they are easy to do and can be incorporated into any workout. Pick up a copy here.