A baby bump is no excuse to ditch exercise! What to Expect When You're Expecting author Heidi Murkoff launches workout for pregnant women

She's already the go-to guru for expectant mothers and now What to Expect When You're Expecting author, Heidi Murkoff, has her sights set on dealing with baby weight too.
This month sees the launch of What to Expect When You're Expecting: The Workout - a fitness DVD aimed at keeping pregnant women healthy and the baby weight at bay.
Including six exercises designed by Murkoff to suit all pregnant women, the workout is intended to be used throughout pregnancy, although as Murkoff admits, whether women will be dedicated enough to use it more than once is debatable.
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What to expect when you're working out: Murkoff's routine puts some expectant mothers through their paces

Perks: Murkoff, pictured centre, said exercise in pregnancy minimises aches and pains and helps prevent excess weight gain

Spin off: The DVD follows on from Minkoff's best seller book, What to Expect When You're Expecting

'You can lead an expectant mama to the gym, but you can’t make her work out – and I fully accept that,' says Murkoff.
'Maybe you’ll exercise, maybe you won’t – maybe you’ll work out faithfully, maybe just once in a while.

 

'But chances are you’ll be more likely to follow doctor’s (and midwife’s) orders on regular exercise if it’s offered up in a way that’s realistic and easy to apply to your busy, exhausted pregnant life – and that’s what I’ve tried to accomplish with this programme.'
Murkoff has made a career from providing advice to pregnant women, and her best-selling self-help book was made into a film starring Cameron Diaz and Matthew Morrissey last year.
The book, which was launched in 1985, has since sold more than 17 million copies and has spawned several spin-offs, including What to Eat When You're Expecting.

And squeeze! Being pregnant doesn't mean you get nine months off from the gym, according to Murkoff

Grandma: Murkoff is about to become a grandmother as daughter Lucy (left) is expecting a child of her own

Once Murkoff has finished her publicity commitments for the DVD, she'll be heading back to Los Angeles to attend the birth of her first grandchild.
Daughter Emma Bing, who is writing a pregnancy blog on Murkoff's website, whattoexpect.com, is due to give birth in February and Murkoff can't wait.
'Are you kidding me? Of course [I'll be there],' Murkoff, 53, gushed. 'I wouldn't miss it.'
For now, the author and mother of two is focusing on the DVD, while extolling the virtues of exercise for mothers-to-be.

Keeping it fresh: The DVD includes six different sessions women can mix and match

'Pregnancy exercise offers so many perks!,' she explains. 'It minimises pregnancy aches and pains, helps keep weight gain on target, reduces (significantly) the risk of gestational diabetes and other serious pregnancy complications, boosts energy and mood, improves circulation and minimises swelling, gets you in better shape for delivery, and – this is the kicker – seems to improve a baby’s IQ. 
'All that moving and shaking seems to stimulate brain development.'