Amanda Hargreaves' mini-workout for mums-to-be

Keep drinking while you work out

Fitness expert Amanda Hargreaves is passionate about getting mums-to-be active during pregnancy. We chatted to her about what she recommends pregnant women do to get in shape for birth and sports and exercises to stear clear of.

To help get you started, she's working out three fantastic exercises, taken from her Pregercise DVD, that you can do from the comfort of your own home.

She recommends doing three sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise. Begin by warming up simply by marching on the spot until you feel warm.

Squats - great for working the thighs and buttocks:

• Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart
• Ensure that the knees are in line with the feet at all times and proceed to squat down
• Don’t be afraid to lean forward slightly
• Return to an upright position in a controlled manner
• Maintain a neutral spine and Breathe at all times

 Box Press ups exercise the Chest, arms and shoulders:

• Get onto all fours making sure that you keep your spine in a neutral position
• Place the hands just over shoulder width apart fingers pointing forwards with soft elbows
• Lower yourself to the ground by bending at the waist until your head almost meets the ground.
• Push with the arms until you reach the original position with soft elbows and breathe at all times.

Calf raise exercise the Calves and helps Circulation:

• Stand with your hands on a sturdy chair in front of you with your feet shoulder width apart
• Keep your knees soft and lift yourself onto your toes and then return back down to the floor in a controlled fashion
• Make sure that you relax briefly between repetitions to enhance circulation and breathe at all times

Find out what else Amanda advises to get you ready to for labour.