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When I’ve a few precious minutes to myself, one of the things I like doing is wandering around the cheap bookstores in Swindon Town Centre. I am a book lover, but find it hard to justify too many at regular publisher prices.

This book appealed to me immediately due to its format. It is a Marshall Factfile – a loose-leaf spiral bound affair, although it didn’t prove very easy to turn the pages at first. It is divided into 6 sections with the following titles: Total Fitness; Diet; Total Body Shaping; Flattening the Tummy; Internal Problems, and Emotional Fitness. The format and presentation is very accessible with clear explanations and plenty of photographs. My only criticism in this area is the use of several young, slim, model-like women for their illustrations!

All exercises are well described, and the choice of exercises reflects strongly my own choice for the classes that I take. There is a section included about the rectus abdominus separation, and how to assess the gap, although I wasn’t sure about the instruction to relax the tummy before lifting the head from the floor. The toning exercises used involve the use of free weights, but there are clear instructions for starting very gradually and building up the weight as strength improves. There is also advice to keep clear of aerobic exercises involving medium or high levels of impact. Emphasis was placed on posture and good exercise technique to minimise injury risk.

I was very interested in a paragraph describing "new thinking on abdominal training". Apparently physios and osteopaths are coming across an increasing number of people who are suffering with lower back pain caused by excessive pelvic tilting whilst abdominal training. Apparently experts are now recommending that abdominal training be carried out with both legs extended but raised about 6 inches from the floor – supported on a low box or similar aid. The book goes on to suggest that once abdominal and back muscles have got stronger (this is not quantified), curl ups should be tried with legs extended and raised. I have to say that I have not come across this recommendation before and would be interested to hear any further thinking / research in this area.)

There is a whole section devoted to pelvic floor, including sexual relations and episiotomies. The pelvic floor exercises are explained very clearly (not one mention of toilets!), and includes a diagram of the position and structure of the muscles.

The other sections of the factfile are also helpful, dealing with such topics as what and how much to eat for health / breastfeeding / weight loss / anaemia, how to get more sleep (?!), mood swings, postnatal depression, and relaxation techniques.

All in all I thought for the price (RRP £9.99 – The Works price £3.99) it was a jolly good buy – one I would buy for a postnatal friend.

But, it occurred to me that neither this book or the one reviewed on the next page referred to, or gave any information about, helplines, or charitable organisations which may be of use postnatally. This struck me as unusual, and a lost opportunity.