During pregnancy, attention is directed toward a woman's belly as the life inside her grows and develops. People pat her belly, listen to her belly, feel for evidence of life. But bellydancing? Do bellydancing and pregnancy go together?

Yes, they do! Women in all stages of pregnancy are learning to use the exotic tools of bellydancing to prepare themselves – and their spirits, minds and bodies – for childbirth. "Quite a few people would probably be skeptical about bellydancing during pregnancy. However, bellydancing, pregnancy and childbirth are in harmony. Today's pregnant woman can benefit from ancient cultural traditions," says Gaby Mardshana Oeftering, developer of the video Bellydancing During Pregnancy.

"Bellydancing was used as prenatal conditioning for women in ancient times," adds Delilah, an internationally-acclaimed bellydancing performer and instructor, who goes by her first name only.

In fact, the prenatal exercise market – which offers everything from yoga to low-impact aerobic routines – is now welcoming the more exotic form of bellydancing as a fitness option. "Midwives have pointed out to me that certain body postures and movements from bellydancing correspond to those used in prenatal preparation," says Oeftering, who eventually developed a bellydancing fitness program for pregnant women.

"Pregnancy is not a disease," says Oeftering. "Pregnant women must not be sedentary, neither during pregnancy nor during childbirth. The pregnant woman has a need to develop a more playful relationship with herself and her baby. When dancing, the woman feels more supported in her femininity and in the functional capability of her body. Moreover, no other such birth preparation guarantees such an intense contact with the baby."

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