Fit for LABOUR

Prepare your body for the big day with some simple exercises that can help encourage baby to move down and into a good position.

- Sarah Sellens

Anxious to meet your little one? While the end of the third trimester can bring about a mixture of emotions - anxiety, excitement, fear, impatience - most mums-to-be agree that they're keen to get the show on the road. But for peace of mind, you'll likely want baby to be in the optimal position for labour (head down and facing your back), and this is where exercise can help. Some gentle movement a great way to keep your mind occupied in those final days, and it can also help to prime your body for labour.

'If your midwife has said that your baby is back-to-back, there's still a big chance that they'll move,' explains personal trainer Sarah Campus, founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS (Idnmumsfitness.com). 'While there's definitely no right or wrong position for your baby to hang out in your womb, labour's reportedly easier if they're facing a certain way - head down with their tummy facing your back - and doing the right exercises during pregnancy can help with foetal positioning by creating balance in the pelvis.' Why does this matter so much? Because a balanced pelvis helps bubba find the best way to navigate down and out. Phew!

The key is to focus on positions that tilt your pelvis and belly forward. These include sitting on a birthing ball, sitting upright on a chair with knees lower than pelvis (try placing a cushion under your bottom), sleeping on your side, swimming on your front and doing pelvic tilts. 'Avoid crossing your legs, raising your legs when sitting down, or leaning back on a sofa,' adds Sarah. Ready for the big day? Try Sarah's prenatal moves to prepare your body (and mind!).

DEEP SQUAT

Benefits: Doing squats before and during labour can help progress things along by bringing the baby down into the pelvis.