Birgitta Gallo
I recently found and bought this wonderful book that was just published in October of 1999. No, I'm not pregnant, but I went through about 2 1/2 weeks absolutely positive that I was, hence my hasty purchase. BUT, this is the best book on the subject I've ever seen! I haven't read the Dr. Clapp book, but he is quoted several times, so you know the author subscribes to the same philosophy. Birgitta Gallo is the trainer who worked with Jane Seymore during her pregnancy with twins a few years ago. It doesn't bog you down with dry, scientific language. You get all of the information you need, but it's also easy to read. It tells not just what to do and what not to do, but the WHY, which I love! Here's a rundown of what you'll find in this book:
Chapter 1: The Pregnancy/Exercise Connection: It talks about all of the benefits to exercise during pregnancy and how a pregnant body reacts to exercise as compared to the nonpregnant body. For ex. You burn more calories doing the same exercise while pregnant than when you're not.
Chapter 2: Pregnancy Basics and Q & As
Chapter3: Guidelines for Exercising during Pregnancy: I found it very reassuring to have something written down that DIDN'T use the pre-1994 ACOG recommendations, but was up to date with the current ones.
Chapter 4: How to Modify Sports and Activities for Pregnancy: This chapter impressed me the most. It covered every sport and activity I ever thought of and some I hadn't( step, kickboxing, sliding, rowing, skiing, snorkeling, Pilates, etc. ) and how it can be modified during pregnancy. there's even a couple of handy charts of exercises you should avoid, which are fine, and which can or can't be started as novice exercisers.
Chapter 5: The Exercises: All kinds of exercises that can/should be done during pregnancy, with emphasis on the lower back and abs.
Chapter 6: Exercises for High-Risk and Bed-Rest Pregnancies: I've never had a pregnancy that required me to stay in bed, but if I did I would feel a lot better knowing I could keep from turning into a total marshmellow using the exercises she shows here. Plus I think it would help me to keep from going stir crazy by giving me something to do! :-) Incidentally, they are the same ones Jane Seymore did while she was confined to bed for the last several weeks.
Chapter 7: Posture, Stretching, Yoga, Relaxation, and Correct Breathing
Chapter 8: Nutrition and Pregnancy
Chapter 9: Essantial Vitamins and Minerals
Chapter 10: Postnatal Fitness and Nutrition
Chapter 11: Baby and Mother -- The Fit Pregnancy: This chapter includes some real life scenarios of moms who exercised and their experiences -- VERY inspiring!
So, that's it! I hope that somebody finds this helpful! If I had actually been pregnant ( She says with a red face :-) ) this is a book that would never be put away for the whole 9 months. I would keep it by my bed for quick and easy reference, especially if I ended up on bed rest.
ErinF
ferragut@avalon.net
3/8/2000
