Belly dance while pregnant?
By Muttnboofer
@Muttnboofer (154)
United States
May 31, 2007 7:10am CST
I'm in my first trimester so bellydance is still pretty easy for me to use to keep in shape.I just have to remember to drink plenty of water and keep from getting to overheated. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with belly dance through a pregnancy as a way of keeping fit and what suggestions you might have to offer.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@hotbiatch (276)
• Philippines
31 May 07
Isn't belly dancing a little too stressful for your condition? You might want to try pilates or yoga so it is less stressful and I heard there are programs for pregnant women.
1 person likes this
@Muttnboofer (154)
• United States
7 Jul 07
Actually belly dance is a very low stress and low impact form of exercise. Some modification towards the second and last trimesters are needed (no belly rolls or shimmies)but that's about it.
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@rainqueen21 (338)
• United States
1 Jun 07
you might want to check with your doctor because that sounds like to much belly movement for your baby, as long as you don't stress out and sweat it should be ok for now bu eventually you will have to find something else when the baby starts gettin bigger.But please check with your doctor. If anything try less stressful excercises like light walking, yoga or even light swimming.
http://mommysmakemoney.blogspot.com
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@thatcrazyqbanita (3312)
• United States
15 Oct 07
there are great benefits to belly dancing while pregnant. did you know that belly dance originated and was done in order to lessen childbirth pains. a crowd of female friends and family members would gather around a woman when in labor and perform belly dance rituals and encourage the pregnant woman to do the same in order to lessen the pain of childbirth
@Muttnboofer (154)
• United States
16 Oct 07
Yeah actually. I even got to see a video of it once from somewhere in Lebanon. It was pretty cool.It was interesting to see how the rythym of the music and the chants went with the labor pattern. I just wasn't sure if it was safe to do during the actual pregnancy :)
I'm close to my 7th month with the twins now though and pretty much know that natural childbirth will be out for me. Both babies are big, healthy and laying sidewise on top of each other. It's not likely that they'll be moving into a birth position that will allow natural birth since they will be out of room to move around much soon.
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
31 May 07
If you already belly dance, then it would probably be great for you to continue. I don't know much about belly dancing in general. If there are moves that are particularly hard on your stomach, then you'd want to talk to your health-care provider to see if those moves are safe. But in a general sense, dancing, moving & being fit is great for pregnancy.
Best of luck with your pregnancy and congratulations.
