Pilates can be an excellent fitness regimen during pregnancy, and can prepare you for labor and postpartum recovery.

Pilates strengthens the most important muscles you'll use during pregnancy and labor: your abdominals, pelvic muscles and back. Pilates is ideal for pregnant women because the dynamic moves help build muscular endurance, which will be in high demand during labor and delivery, flexibility and good balance, which becomes increasingly important as pregnancy progresses. Because the moves are so controlled, Pilates allows you time to adjust your posture and alignment for maximum support and the appropriate level of challenge. You don't need special equipment (other than a mat) to get a great workout, and though it's always better to take a class taught by an expert, there are books and videos available so you can do it at home on your own time. One thing to note: many traditional Pilates exercises are performed either lying on your back or stomach, so seek out instruction that is specifically geared toward pregnancy so you can avoid these positions.