The landscape of pregnancy is changing. With a growing awareness of the benefits of exercise during this time, the prenatal fitness industry is experiencing a surge. Recognising the increasing importance of prenatal fitness and deeply transformative childbearing period, it is paramount to maintain the integrity and ethical practices within this field.

Beyond “Mommy and Me”: Fostering a Welcoming Space

As more individuals, with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, enter the realm of prenatal exercise, inclusivity becomes baseline expectation. We must create spaces that are welcoming and respectful of the unique challenges and vulnerabilities associated with pregnancy. Move away from gendered terms like “mommy” or “mama” and address them by their names. It is up to them to decide when they are ready to receive the title of “mama”.

Building Trust Through Active Listening

As a childbirth educator, I cannot emphasise the importance of active listening and validating experiences more. This needs to be translated seamlessly into the prenatal fitness world. Instructors can create safe spaces by encouraging open communication, inquiring about past pregnancies (including miscarriages and stillbirths), individual needs and limitations, and acknowledging the unique journey of each participant. Be open to acknowledge that your information may be limited and meet the client where they at – respect their decision and ask for permission before you offer your perspectives.

Moral Integrity in Marketing Campaigns: Focus on Empowerment

One of the most crucial moral shifts needed is the overemphasis on results and expectations. Marketing messages like “get stronger, improve your flexibility” or promising a certain outcome creates an illusion of control. If you are serving this group of audience, uphold the integrity to balance between marketing and fueling a sense of lack. Pregnancy and birth are inherently unpredictable journeys, there is no single modality that can predict how their pregnancy, birth or post-birth recovery will unfold. Our goal should be addressing their emotions and supporting their anxiousness. Shift the focus from physical doing to inner-body awareness and embodied movement. This group of individuals need to remember self-trust instead of being in the constant loop of doubt and uncertainty.

Beyond Certification: Build Mastery in Emotional Intelligence

In all due respect, one can acquire a prenatal fitness/wellness certification over a weekend or within a month. Years of experience and a piece of certification do not equate to competency. To uphold the integrity of supporting expecting individuals is to have the mastery of physical fitness and the emotional intelligence in navigating intricate emotions. More than physical modifications and contraindications, we need instructors who understand the emotional threshold that often accompanies pregnancy. Instructors who foster self-doubt are the antithesis of what pregnant people need. Do your own research and speak with trained professionals (OBGYN, midwives, bodyworkers, childbirth educators, etc) who have been serving the community to deepen your knowledge. The caveat? Double down and ensure your evidence-based discussions is relevant to local culture and policies.

Authentic Support in a Sea of Advice

The core principle of prenatal fitness should be heart-work, not just hardwork. It’s about supporting self-doubt and nurturing self-trust. If your team can’t embody these values, consider further training on trauma-informed care, deep listening and respectful discussions. In an era of overflowing expert advices, shoulds and should-nots, prenatal fitness and wellness practitioners can do a big part to nurture these individuals to build self-trust instead of being another voice that tells them what to do (or not do).

Remember, You’re Not the Coach on Their Journey

When serving this target audience, guide participants towards building their own internal resource, i.e. self-discovery. Use open-ended questions and solutions to nurture their body awareness, mindfulness, fostering a more impactful experience than a rigid workout or wellness plan. 

In conclusion, the booming prenatal fitness industry offers a valuable service, but maintaining integrity is key. Inclusive language and active listening foster trust. Shift the focus from outcome-based to nurture body awareness and empowerment instead. Prenatal fitness can help to empower birth stories, maintain the authenticity of this work to support these expecting individuals to navigate their pregnancy journeys with confidence.

About KinIng Ho: Advocate for Holistic Perinatal Care

Ms KinIng Ho is a passionate advocate for women’s well-being throughout their life stages, with a particular focus on the transformative journey of pregnancy and motherhood. As the founder of Kindle Space, a women-only studio dedicated to holistic perinatal care, she leverages her diverse experiences to create a supportive and empowering environment for mothers and mothers-to-be.

KinIng’s background is a tapestry woven from experience in both the corporate world and the world of wellness. Having honed her leadership skills in Fortune 500 companies and top fashion retailers, she understands the unique demands placed on women in today’s fast-paced environment. However, a deep desire to connect with women on a more profound level led her to pursue a new path – childbirth educator. This transition, coupled with her ten years of experience as a yoga teacher and additional accreditations in somatic modalities, has equipped her with a holistic understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of women during pregnancy and beyond. Driven by a commitment to empower women to embrace their changing bodies and navigate the challenges and joys of parenthood, KinIng established Kindle Space. This unique studio offers a haven of shared wisdom for women to connect and build a supportive community.