quick clicks

pregnancy today articles

pregnancy today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Move That Belly!

Bellydancing During Pregnancy

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

From a medical point of view, bellydancing addresses many of the same concepts that other prenatal preparations do. According to Oeftering, bellydancing can help prepare for childbirth. "During dancing, the pregnant woman adopts body postures which favor an optimum engagement of the fetus," says Oeftering. "The natural birth positions are standing, sitting and squatting because the baby's gravity can have its full effect. Through bellydancing, the pregnant woman arrives at the necessary mobility and strengthening of the pelvis, while developing the required awareness of the muscles used in the birth process."

What better way to learn about your body – and how to listen to it – than learning a new way to move it? "Pregnant women, through bellydancing, acquire confidence in themselves and their own bodies," says Oeftering. "In my experience, dance and the emotions connected with it, make women feel a lot more autonomous and self-assured regarding birth. They have trained themselves through the dance. They know which movements are helpful for pregnancy complaints. They know what is of benefit to their babies. There are meditative elements to relax and release. Joyful music puts them in a serene, self-confident mood."

"I think that bellydancing is great for health, fitness and getting in touch with your own body," says Marnie Holmes, a writer from Sydney, Australia, who recently took up bellydancing. "I do it for myself and enjoy the movements. Also, my midwife thinks that my bellydancing is a major reason why my abdominal muscles are as good as they are at the 6th month of my pregnancy."

As beneficial as bellydancing is, there are situations in which it must be avoided. Fortunately, these situations are few and far between. "Bellydancing is only contraindicated where there is a risk of premature delivery," says Oeftering. "Classes for bellydancing should only be given by experts who are familiar with dance and the medical side of pregnancy and birthing. Pregnant women must consult their doctors for approval. Bellydancing is wonderful, but be safe."

Want to see more?

• Exercise Your Way Through Pregnancy
• Yoga: An Ancient Practice for Pregnancy in the Modern World
• The Art of Prenatal Massage
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.