The nine-month wait is over when baby arrives. Then there's just the issue of nine months' weight, reports Amy Parsons-King.
Having a baby is one of the most rewarding and empowering experiences a woman can go through.
However, despite the joy of the new addition, many women find the addition of extra kilograms less than something to celebrate.
On average, a woman of a normal pre-pregnancy weight will gain between 10kg-15kg during her pregnancy, some of which will be lost shortly after birth. However, the kilos that remain are usually the ones that were gained from "eating for two" and can be the hardest to lose.
Unlike celebrity mums, who seem to shrink back to their pre-baby bodies almost overnight, most women don't have the luxury of a nanny to watch the baby while they work out, or a personal trainer to help them whip their bodies back into shape.
For new mothers wondering how they will ever find the time and motivation to exercise and finally banish those unflattering maternity clothes to the back of the wardrobe, there are many forms of exercise that can be done with baby in tow.
Shannon Booth, Dunedin trainer-operator of Active Mums - a programme that offers prenatal and postnatal exercise classes for mothers - sees many women who are desperate to shed the extra kilos gained during pregnancy but who do not have the time to stick to a regular exercise regime or who don't want to put their babies in child care.
She offers postnatal group exercise classes, to which mums are encouraged to bring their babies.
Booth also encourages mothers to incorporate exercise into their daily lives and not "just add it on top of everything else a mother has to do".
Instead of jumping in the car to go to the shop, grab the buggy and hit the pavement. The same goes for doing abdominal exercises. When baby has "tummy time", women can have "mummy tummy time" and get down on the floor and do their abdominal exercises with their babies. Turn it into "play time" and it's "win win", she says.
There are many ways in which a mother can reclaim her body, while bonding with her baby through exercise. Here are a few options.
PILATES
Pilates will restore core strength and help with posture and balance as well as rejuvenate, realign and recondition a mother's post-pregnancy body. Pilates along with cardiovascular exercise will tone the body and increase fitness levels and your baby can be easily incorporated into some of the techniques.
YOGA
Postnatal yoga focuses on restoring structural integrity to a mother's body, assisting in realigning the pelvis and spine. Yoga strengthens pelvic-floor muscles and tones the abdomen. It also teaches breathing awareness and relaxation techniques, which assist in increasing energy levels.Yoga can also relieve common postnatal problems, such as back, hip, and neck pain.
SWIMMING
Burn calories with a mother-and-baby water workout. Bounce, swing, lift, float and roll through the water with baby. The lack of gravity will work muscles you didn't even know you had. Introducing your youngster to water early on will also ensure they are confident little swimmers in the future.
DANCE
Pump up the stereo or sing your baby's favourite nursery rhyme and get fit through dance. Not only is this a great cardiovascular workout for mothers, but baby will be delighted by the rhythm, movement and sounds.
WALK/JOG
Put baby in the pram and go for a brisk walk or jog. Walking is another great aerobic workout, which will burn kilos as well as strengthen muscles and bones. Your baby will also enjoy the fresh air and the opportunity to be out and about, exploring the big wide world.
CYCLING
Mothers should wait until their babies are about 8 months old before putting them in a bike trailer or seat. Before this age babies don't usually have enough strength in their necks to support their heads. However, once your baby can sit up independently they will no doubt enjoy the adventure involved in going on a bike ride with Mum.
• Seek clearance from your midwife or doctor before undertaking any form of exercise. Women who have had an uncomplicated natural birth can ease themselves into exercise at about six weeks and for those who have undergone a Caesarean, it is recommended to wait until at least eight weeks.
• Never overdo it. If you experience pain, faintness, increased bleeding, nausea or difficulty breathing, consult your doctor immediately.
• Exercising will not affect your breast-milk, provided you maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.
• Always wear a supportive sports bra while working out to avoid breasts becoming painful.
• Always keep well hydrated.