Pregnancy & Childbirth

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout

You've got nine months to prepare for the challenge of your life. Use every minute! The Perfect Pregnancy Workout will: -improve your mood -reduce lower back pain -develop mental discipline to control labor pain -tone your lower body to handle the demands of labor and birth -make it easier to lose weight after your baby is born -strengthen your upper body to lift and hold your baby -help eliminate or avoid incontinence and hemorroids

Karyne Steben, a world-class acrobat formerly with Cirque du Soleil, leads us through the sculpting workout, combining strength moves with graceful flexibility.

First time exercisers can feel at ease; Karyne illustrates exercise techniques and explains the dos and don'ts of exercise during pregnancy in a clear, easy-to-understand twelve-minute instructional section.

With options to make it fun for beginners and challenging for advanced exercisers, anyone can do The Perfect Pregnancy Workout!

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout video is a 43 minute pregnancy exercise video: 5 minute warm-up, 33 minute workout, 5 minute cool down. There is also a 12 minute instructional section explaining proper technique for pregnancy exercise.

*The Perfect Pregnancy Workout includes exercise variations for women with diastasis recti.*

Pilates During Pregnancy, Vol. 1

Pilates During Pregnancy with Niece Pecenka - An inpiring Pilates based routine adapted for busy women in all trimesters who want to feel fit, healthy, and fabulous.

Pilates requires you to move consciously - using the breath to revitalize and energize - something you will need to depend on during and after childbirth. Every movement in Pilates emanates from the "center" - helping you focus on those muscles necessary for labor and delivery.

This routine is comprised of two distinct sections to make the most of you time.

Section I - abdominal and breath work = 15 minutes

Section II - side leg series, lower body work = 30 minutes

Sections I and II can be combined for a longer workout depending upon your time and energy level.

You will need a minimum of three blankets, folded and stacked. So Let's Move!

Into the Woods

Fractured fairy tales of a darker hue provide the remarkable context for Into the Woods, which deconstructs the Brothers Grimm by way of Rod Serling. While the faces and names are familiar, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and company inhabit a sylvan neighborhood in which witches and bakers are next-door neighbors, handsome princes from once-parallel fables are competitive (and equally vain) brothers, and all the stories intersect through unexpected new plot twists.

Stephen Sondheim's Tony-winning score favors intricate ensemble numbers that present the characters' divergent, then overlapping fears and desires. And it's the latter category that provides a primary thread to James Lapine's ingenious puzzle of a book, which coheres around the inevitability--and treachery--of our innermost wishes. That theme is given farcical energy in the first act, which offers enough comic invention, tart dialogue, and witty music for a satisfying evening of theater as is.

Instead, Sondheim and Lapine offer a bold, darker second act that takes a look at what happens after "happily ever after," elevating the work beyond inspired parody toward allegorical gravity. By the final scenes, with the one-two punch of the score's two most enduring songs, "No One Is Alone" and "Children Will Listen," what began as a clever diversion has touched deeper nerves and primed some tear ducts. This video production by the original Broadway cast gets its marquee shimmer from Bernadette Peters's wonderful witch, but the standout (and Tony winner as Best Actress) is Joanna Gleason, who gives the Baker's Wife a mixture of warmth, pragmatism, and sudden, poignantly romantic radiance.

The DVD version is comparatively no-frills, given its American Playhouse origins, but multiformat digital audio renders the musical performances in immaculate detail. --Sam Sutherland

Fractured fairy tales of a darker hue provide the remarkable context for Into the Woods, which deconstructs the Brothers Grimm by way of Rod Serling. While the faces and names are familiar, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and company inhabit a sylvan neighborhood in which witches and bakers are next-door neighbors, handsome princes from once-parallel fables are competitive (and equally vain) brothers, and all the stories intersect through unexpected new plot twists.

Stephen Sondheim's Tony-winning score favors intricate ensemble numbers that present the characters' divergent, then overlapping fears and desires. And it's the latter category that provides a primary thread to James Lapine's ingenious puzzle of a book, which coheres around the inevitability--and treachery--of our innermost wishes. That theme is given farcical energy in the first act, which offers enough comic invention, tart dialogue, and witty music for a satisfying evening of theater as is.

Instead, Sondheim and Lapine offer a bold, darker second act that takes a look at what happens after "happily ever after," elevating the work beyond inspired parody toward allegorical gravity. By the final scenes, with the one-two punch of the score's two most enduring songs, "No One Is Alone" and "Children Will Listen," what began as a clever diversion has touched deeper nerves and primed some tear ducts. This video production by the original Broadway cast gets its marquee shimmer from Bernadette Peters's wonderful witch, but the standout (and Tony winner as Best Actress) is Joanna Gleason, who gives the Baker's Wife a mixture of warmth, pragmatism, and sudden, poignantly romantic radiance.

The DVD version is comparatively no-frills, given its American Playhouse origins, but multiformat digital audio renders the musical performances in immaculate detail. --Sam Sutherland

A baker and his wife journey into the woods in search of a cow, a red cape, a pair of golden slippers and some magic beans to lift a curse that has kept them childless. Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason and the rest of the original Broadway cast weave their magic spell over you in Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, directed by James Lapine, a seamless fusion of fairy tale characters and what happens after "happily ever after. "With oft-recorded songs such as "Children Will Listen" and "No One is Alone," "Into the Woods" is a music lover's delight from start to finish--and will forever cement Stephen Sondheim's unparalleled position as the giant of the American musical theater.

The Business of Being Born

Genre: Documentary
Rating: UN
Release Date: 6-MAY-2008
Media Type: DVD

Is it conceivable that in the United States, profit is increasingly driving the business of birthing--sometimes at the expense of the best possible outcome for mothers and babies? Should birth be viewed and treated as a natural process or a potential medical emergency? This documentary, produced by Ricki Lake and directed by Abby Epstein, opines that money and fear are changing the way Americans give birth, and not necessarily for the better. Beginning with shocking statistics that the United States has the second-worst newborn death rate in the developed world and one of the highest maternal mortality rates in industrialized countries, the film presents interviews with medical professionals including Dr. Jacques Moritz, OB/GYN from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital; Dr. Michel Odent, OB/GYN researcher; and Masden Wagner, MD, former Director for Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization. Each expert paints a dismal picture of American birthing and emphasizes the frequent overuse of medical procedures in what are otherwise potentially normal deliveries. Stressing the prevalent use of midwives in birthing in other developed nations (70% of births are attended by midwives in Europe and Japan, versus 8% in the U.S.), the documentary then follows Cara Muhlhahn, a certified nurse midwife in New York City, as she attends a variety of home births. The footage is candid and sometimes very graphic, showing various home-delivery methods, including water birth. Interviews with Cara and her clients emphasize their shared philosophy on birthing as a normal life process that, when attended by a caring and well-trained midwife, can be both empowering and exhilarating. Though a midwife is often characterized as a supportive, but medically untrained birth attendee, the film dispels that stereotype, stressing a good midwife's solid training and knowledge of when it's appropriate to seek outside medical intervention. Key in every birth is a commitment to doing what's best for mother and baby, regardless of pre-planned agendas. The filmmaker's lament is that hospitals and doctors often too quickly advocate medical intervention in the interest of saving time and avoiding potential litigation. While unquestionably advocating midwifery over hospital birthing, this documentary presents solid expert opinions, concrete facts and statistics, and anecdotal experiences of both mothers and midwives that are crucial in making an informed decision about the use of midwifery in birthing as well as enlightening as to the current state of birthing in the United States. --Tami Horiuchi

Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga ~ Jennifer Wolfe

Namaste, welcome to prenatal Vinyasa Yoga. My name is Jennifer Wolfe and I am a prenatal and vinyasa yoga instructor, a doula, a childbirth educator, a hypnotherapist, and a mother.

I have worked with hundreds of pregnant women before, during and after the birth of their babies and have seen the wonderful benefits that doing yoga while pregnant can have on your body, your birth experience, and your recovery from childbirth.

This DVD was specifically developed for women who have been practicing Vinyasa flow, Ashtanga, or Power Yoga before they were pregnant but can also be used for women who practice other forms of yoga or beginners who wish to build strength and flexibility. If you are a beginner please use the 3rd trimester modifications demonstrated by Binna. This will allow you to gain strength and flexibility safely and once you feel comfortable with the routine you can move to the 1st or 2nd trimester modifications as appropriate.

Although yoga is a safe form of exercise for pregnant women, every woman's body is different and requires attention and awareness during any exercise to ensure the body's well being. Please obtain permission from your doctor, midwife or health provider before doing any prenatal exercise and most important, listen to your body.

This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Tracey Mallett's 3 in 1 Pregnancy System

3 Disciplines:Pilates/Yoga/Body SculptingSoothing Yoga will calm Pilates will maintain flexibility and improve posture and weight exercises will sculpt your way to a beautiful physique.3 Stages:Pre-Pregnancy/9 Months/Post PregnancyPerfect for any woman "expecting to be expecting." This system will prepare the body for what's coming.3 Body Sections:Upper Body/Core/Lower BodyEach body section is treated with specially designed movements.System Requirements:Running Time: 40 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: HEALTH/FITNESS UPC: 690445036728 Manufacturer No: RD0367

Gabrielle Reece - Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workouts

Custom-designed by Gabrielle Reece, her personal trainer Mike Monroe and approved by a leading OBGYN, FIT & HEALTHY PRENATAL WORKOUTS, safely and effectively condition your growing body by focusing on strengthening and stretching moves. With six 15-minute workouts, you ll always find time to work out. Stay fit and healthy while you increase your self-confidence and feel great throughout your first two trimesters.

Crunch Yoga Mama - Prenatal Yoga

Women in various stages of pregnancy demonstrate a variety of basic yoga poses modified for safety.
No Track Information Available
Media Type: DVD
Artist: YOGA MAMA
Title: PRENATAL YOGA
Street Release Date: 04/27/2004
Domestic
Genre: FITNESS

Crunch, a New York-based gym, keeps bringing innovative and hip exercise videos to VCRs across the country. You don't have to be in a metropolitan area to experience cutting-edge fitness trends and formats because Crunch: Yoga Mama delivers an effective (and chic) pre-natal workout that can be done in the comfort of your living room. Instructor (and pregnant woman) Sue Elkind leads this 40-minute workout with concise descriptions and a healthy knowledge of yoga as it relates to pregnancy. The content here provides a workout that is both safe and efficient, with great attention to participants' individual fitness levels. This session is presented with a backdrop class (consisting of women in various stages of their pregnancies) that demonstrates modified and more challenging options to each pose. Pregnant participants may find it more appropriate (and less annoying) to take direction from another pregnant woman rather than an ultra flexible, ultra thin (non-pregnant) instructor. Basic postures within yoga are taught with intensive focus on breathing, flexibility, and the constant connection between mind/body (and mother/child). Some poses are altered to accommodate the roundness of the midsection with constant awareness of spine alignment. Elkind gives special attention to balance as she slowly increases the intensity of postures. After a series of basic poses are performed, Kegels are practiced (which strengthen the pelvic floor), and meditation closes out the workout. This basic format is friendly for beginners, pre- and post-natal women, or anyone who requires modifications. This safety-conscious video offers a simple, straightforward workout with real potential for increased strength and flexibility. Props needed: a blanket or pillow, a mat, and (especially if you are expecting) a chair. --Olivia Voigts

Erin O'Brien's Prenatal Fitness Fix

"Erin's a pro at fitness, she's a pro at pregnancy, and she fuses these together for two perfect prenatal workouts. I highly recommend this fitness program." —Ellen Barrett, M.S., bestselling exercise video star and author of Weights for Weight Loss

Staying fit and energized throughout your pregnancy just got easier. Custom-created by Hollywood trainer and Hollywood Mom ERIN O'BRIEN, Prenatal Fitness Fix is a unique program that quickly and effectively conditions your growing body. Modified Pilates, kegels, sports conditioning, and true-blue body sculpting seamlessly blend together in Erin's two workouts. You'll get it all: fat-burning cardio, muscle toning, strength training, and tension-relieving stretches.

The first workout—40 minutes long—is like an exercise class in the comfort of your own home. No special equipment needed, just clear some space in your living room. Erin's a genius at keeping your mind focused, your body invigorated, and your spirits up. The second workout—20 minutes long—is for you and a partner. Erin and her husband, actor JAMES DENTON (Desperate Housewives, The Pretender), take you through a circuit-training partner series. It's the perfect way to include others in your pregnancy journey!

ERIN O'BRIEN has 10 years of experience as a pre/postnatal exercise specialist working in elite fitness clubs in both New York City and Los Angeles. She holds several certifications, including one in pre/postnatal training from the Esquerre Fitness Group.

Lindsay Brin's Postnatal Boot Camp with Moms Into Fitness (2005)

AS SEEN IN PREGNANCY and PREGNANCY & NEWBORN. The only DVD of its kind with over 2 hours of exercises including 10-10 minute weight loss workouts! Choose from the 10 minute Quickstart menu, 6 core workouts or Lindsay's 12 week program. Reshape your body, flatten your tummy and get your energy back with Pilates, Cardio, Core, Kickboxing, Plyometrics, Yoga, Mom/Baby Core Strength, Toning and more! If you are tired of doing the same routine, this DVD will continually boost your metabolism and challenge your body! You will lose inches in your core almost immediately with the 6 core workouts Lindsay designed specifically for the postnatal mom. Short on time? Lindsay (advanced), Amy (beginner) and Michele (intermediate) will show you simple choreography broken into 10 minute segments. You will do cardiovascular drills followed by toning drills to maximize fat burning...studies prove this is the quickest way to get your body back! And, 410 different workout options so you can use it for years! *Designed so you can get right back to being mom! Each 10 minute interval is quick and to the point! Recommended for 12 weeks through 5 years postpartum.