When talking babies, most women don't immediately think dumbbells and boxing gloves. But to Sherri MacMillan, these tools are just as important as things like prenatal vitamins and breathing exercises.

Six months pregnant with her fifth child, MacMillan believes maintaining a workout routine throughout pregnancy contributes to an easier delivery and quicker weight loss after giving birth.

"I've always stayed active during my pregnancies," says MacMillan, who lives in Granite Bay with her husband, David, and their four daughters, ages 14, 11, 9 and 4. In May, MacMillan is due to deliver her first son.

"I do it because No. 1, I stay fit and healthy and No. 2, it helps me be strong during delivery. It really works," she says.

MacMillan's personal trainer Debra Skelton, owner of Motivative Health & Fitness, agrees.

"(Exercising) can cut out 30 percent of labor time," says Skelton, who visits MacMillan at her home twice a week. "It also decreases your recovery time."

With four children of her own, Skelton knows firsthand. She decided to keep a regimented workout routine with her last pregnancy and says the difference was astonishing.

"With my first (pregnancy) I gained 50 pounds," she says. "My second pregnancy I had twins and I gained 50 pounds. With my last pregnancy I only gained 25 pounds."

Skelton says her last delivery was also the quickest, lasting just 1½ hours.

MacMillan says she's experienced similar results and has never needed an epidural during delivery.

"I've had really nice, brief labors. I just buckle down and take care of business," she says. "I just felt like my body could handle it. It takes more work to be frantic. I go into this zone. There's no screaming; no yelling."

MacMillan's secret: An hour workout routine. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, she meets with Skelton for 30 minutes of cardio - which usually consists of a walk through her neighborhood - and 30 minutes of weights, squats, ball and floor exercises and some boxing.

Because lying flat on your back after your first trimester is a big no-no, Skelton says boxing is a great way to work the abdominals.

"Feels like marathon training," MacMillan says. "There will be that big day. My big day is delivery."

While staying active is important to MacMillan, she knows it's equally important not to overdue it.

"You shouldn't do something that you didn't do before pregnancy," she says. "Don't take up boxing if you've never boxed before. Don't start running if you're not a runner."

And never do anything high-impact, like skiing.

"You want to stay in shape but you don't want to push it," she says. "Know your limits. You can walk, but don't go crazy."

Activities like swimming and walking are non-impact and therefore are usually safe.

"If you're starting late in the game, go really slow," Skelton suggests, adding that one should always consult a doctor before starting a workout routine.

Skelton, a nurse before starting her own fitness training business, says pregnant women should especially listen to their bodies when exercising and look for signs like spotting, dizziness, lightheadedness and nausea.

"There are things that might not be a big deal when you're not pregnant, but they are when you are pregnant," she says. "If anything is uncomfortable, don't do it. Listen to your body. Don't push yourself beyond your limits."

She also recommends pregnant women keep their body temperatures low and never overexert themselves.

Skelton says women should gain between 25 and 35 pounds with a normal pregnancy and stresses, "It will come off."

In addition to weight loss, she believes a regular workout routine can help reduce stress and anxiety as well as mood.

In fact, there's only one drawback to staying fit through pregnancy that MacMillan could possibly come up with.

"The drawback of being small is I don't get doors opened for me," she says with a laugh.

MacMillan, who's lived in Granite Bay for nine years and Roseville for nine years prior to that, plans to continue working out up until about a week before her May 4 due date.

After an obvious lull immediately after bringing her son home, MacMillan plans to pick up her work out routine in the summer. She says it's easier when involving her family and often walks with her husband or pushes a stroller around her neighborhood.

For more information on Motivative Health & Fitness, visit www.gotatrainer.com or contact Skelton at deb@gotatrainer.com or 726-3488.