Davina - My Pre & Post Natal Workouts [DVD] [2007]

I love Davina's non-pregnancy workout DVDs (they helped me get back in shape after my first baby after I'd almost lost all hope) and was looking for a similar challenge here, but was disappointed. Perhaps I'll appreciate this DVD more as I get into the third trimester and am more exhausted, but at 22 weeks it's just so gentle that I don't feel that it's adding much to the battle of me vs. my spreading hips. (For a more strenous and effective pregnancy workout DVD, see Sharon Marrett-Gregory's Pregnancy and Postnatal Workout -- production quality is low but the exercises are simply magnificent. My pregnancy workout routine is to do the Marrett-Gregory DVD twice a week and Davina once.)

Having said the above, I still gave this video four stars because it's got a lot of good points as well. There are lots of tips during the exercises for movements and positions that will help during labour, which is immensely valuable. And the workout itself is a quite good stretch for pregnant bodies -- it'll keep your muscles from seizing up as you get bigger, but it won't make you sweat. First-time mums should also benefit from the Davina's Tips section, where she gives quite good, honest advice about labour and afterwards.

**Update!** Now that I'm at 37 weeks, I have to report that Davina's pre-natal workout has really come into its own. The Sharon Marrett-Gregory workout started getting a bit too much for me at 32 weeks, and now it's Davina all the way. Davina is IDEAL for the third trimester, when you feel like you can't shift from your chair without the help of a heavy crane, but you want to keep moving so that labour doesn't catch you entirely by surprise. In fact, during my first pregnancy, I was heavily plagued by hand and foot swelling as well as by leg cramps, but have had very little of either this time around. Perhaps it's just because every pregnancy is different, but I'm pretty sure that my addiction to pre-natal workouts this time has been the deciding factor. Davina's exercises may be light, but they're just right. Can't wait to try the post-natal section when the time comes!

I noticed the other 2 reviews were by pregnant ladies, so I thought I would give you all the opinion of a post-natal Mum. My son is one year old, and I have struggled to get into shape, I haven't shifted my jelly belly and I need serious toning.

I started doing the post-natal section of the DVD about a week ago, and I have already noticed a difference in my muscle tone, especially in my tummy. All other workout DVDs I have tried are too hard on my tummy, but this is perfect. It goes through the exercises slowly and carefully, making sure you don't move too quickly, which is fantastic for a new mum of only a couple of weeks.

I would thoroughly recommend this DVD, and I know when I get pregnant with our second child, I will be using the pregnancy exercises as I didnt exercise through my first pregnancy and I regret that now!!

Buy it, it will be the best 15 quid you have spent on yourself since your baby was born!

I bought this DVD when Davina Super Body Workout became too hard for me when I was expecting my second child, so about 12 weeks pregnant. It was very gentle, but for someone who hadn't exercised regularly prior to getting pregnant it would be perfect! As I got to the third trimester, I found it great for stopping restless legs and swelling in my *cankles*. I had my baby 7 weeks early so can't comment on doing the DVD at the end of the third trimester but I was planning to just miss out the aerobic bit if I was finding it too hard.

Also, Davina and Jackie show you some great exercises you can use during labour, and I honestly found they helped move me along, keep me a lot more mobile during labour than I was with my first baby and deal with the pain much better - so thank you Davina!

The post-natal section again is a gentle workout, if you were expecting a Super Body type workout you'll be disappointed. However, to rebuild your core strength while your muscles return to their previous positions, this DVD is just what you need. I have done this for 5 weeks and have now just started Davina Fit this week as I finally feel strong enough to do a proper workout, no way could I have done Davina Fit the way I felt 6 weeks ago, but I would never have shifted my baby weight doing the post-natal routine for a long period.

So I would definitely invest in this one for the second and third trimester of your pregnancy, and also for weeks 6-12 after you have your baby and then you'll be ready for a proper workout.