Exercise...Delivery

I had read quite a bit on the importance of exercising, but it didn't really hit home until a few months before I delivered. A friend of mine told me that her labor (for her first child) lasted two hours from start to finish, and although it was very "uncomfortable," she wasn't in major pain (like the horror stories most women have). I asked her what she had done; expecting her to just shrug her shoulders, but she told me that she exercised using a treadmill and an elliptical machine (a cross between a treadmill and stationary bike) - every day for 30-45 minutes (on lightest setting) during her pregnancy.

I wasn't sure the same would happen to me, but we found a used elliptical machine, and I exercised almost every day during the last couple of months of my pregnancy. As it turned out, my labor lasted three and a half hours, and just like my friend's...it was uncomfortable, but there was no major pain. And, as an added bonus, I lost most of my baby weight within the first few weeks. My second labor was very similar.

Since then I've talked to a couple other women who exercised on the elliptical and had the same experience. A doctor I spoke with said that the elliptical exercises the muscles you need for labor.

In Scripture the Israelite women delivered quickly, and before the Egyptian midwives arrived...because they were strong. (Exodus 1:18-20) I don't know if using the elliptical helped the labor go so quickly, but I have read that any type of low impact exercise is very helpful during pregnancy.

One more thing...I took evening primrose oil every day beginning two weeks before my due date. (500mg by mouth am and pm) This softens the cervix, so you don't want to take it too soon. I'd ask your doctor or midwife about it.