When MSN wanted an expert to give advice on getting back in shape after having a baby they asked Judy...read the whole story at http://www.msn.co.uk/health/celebritymothers

As we wait for the next batch of special deliveries from Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and Davina McCall, the question is: How should they sensibly kick-start their road to figure recovery?

“It’s vital to give your body the time it needs to recover from the pregnancy and birth,” says fitness expert and author of The Complete Guide to Postnatal Fitness, Judy DiFiore. “It takes the uterus around six weeks to reduce back to its original size and place in the pelvis after pregnancy. So, only after your post-natal check-up (at six to eight weeks) can you consider any formal exercise, but you should still be careful.”

Running and heavy weights straight after birth is a big no-no for mums. The uterine ligaments aren’t strong enough to support the womb during high-impact exercise such as running. Meanwhile, new mothers are prone to injury from heavy weights because their core strength isn’t tip-top. Instead, ask a fitness professional for advice with getting your deep abdominals up to speed again. “Start off very gently and don’t expect to pick up where you left off if you were fit previous to your pregnancy,” says DiFiore.

Another must for mums is to get out and about with the pushchair. Walking is a first-class calorie burner so invest in an all-terrain buggy and get going. DiFiore has devised the group fitness venture, Pushy Mothers, which is a low-level buggy walking and exercise workout led by a post-natal fitness specialist. While classes are London-based just now, DiFiore is making steps in the right direction to take it nationwide too.