Reclaiming Your Prepregnancy Body: Toning Your Chest, Thighs, and Tummy

Pregnancy can create a very particular physical stance: a big belly, rounded shoulders, and a curved back. And despite your best efforts, you too may develop just such a stance. But you're not alone. Many women find it difficult to escape the strain of a belly's added weight and suffer from that recognizable pregnancy posture. These changes, along with internal changes, don't allow the body to just snap back after giving birth. So after delivery, in addition to having a new baby—you'll have a new body. One that you'll need to retrain to breathe, stand, and sit. However, with some work, you may be able to bring your body back to its prepregnancy shape—or even surpass it.

BabyZone talked with some of the leading Body Sculpting, Pilates, and the Tupler Technique fitness experts to find a variety of exercise options safe enough to begin shortly after delivery. The following exercises will help to retrain and gently rebuild your body, especially those trouble spots that suffer during pregnancy—the chest, thighs, and tummy.

Each of these exercise routines is specifically designed for target spots and should be done in conjunction with cardiovascular work—something as simple as going on a long walk.

As with any exercise routine, you should get your doctor's approval before beginning these exercises, especially if you have had a C-section or complications with childbirth.