Pregnancy does not need to mean the end of your dancing. Not only do I know women who danced through their pregnancies, two of my friends performed in their third trimester.

Be guided by your health provider but for a healthy, active woman belly dance is safe provided:

• You don’t allow your temperature to rise too high
• You avoid jarring movements (not a good time to be rehearsing debke).
• You take into consideration the increased elasticity of your ligaments – you’ll be more flexible but you may not have enough strength and control (which can lead to damage).
• If it hurts – stop.

There are a number of emotional and physical advantages to continue your dance.

• Maintains fitness
• Increases abdominal strength and control
• Some women find some moves relieve pain
• Reduces incontinence
• Maintains social contact
• Some women find dance, birth, and spirituality are linked

If you are not active now, check with your health provider as to whether you should start dancing now. (Generally speaking it is not a good idea to start belly dance once you are already pregnant if you were not active before pregnancy.)

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