Endorsements

ORGANIZATIONS

Dear Julie,
Please accept the March of Dimes thanks for participating in the “Babies and You” Video Series. This project is very important to the March of Dimes because it will allow us to provide important preconception and prenatal health information to individuals in all areas of the country. The videos will be distributed to worksites, community –based organizations and health care providers through our local chapters.
Thanks again for your support of our efforts.
Susan Clifford, Manager, Worksite Programs, March of Dimes

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

“The Tupler Technique, a special abdominal exercise, is great for maintaining the results of stomach surgery…….it helps to strengthen the side abdominal muscles so they don’t spread back out. “
Dr Sharon Giese
Plastic Surgeon, NYC

“As an obstetrician/gynecologist and being pregnant for the first time, I joined Julie Tupler's Maternal Fitness class. Julie is a wonderful instructor, she is very patient, encouraging and has perfected her technique. The exercises were relatively easy to learn and they strengthened the abdominal muscles so well that each effort was maximized. I used the Tupler Technique during my labor and the results were remarkable. I pushed for only 23 minutes! I would highly recommend any woman who is facing one of the most natural, wonderful and most challenging experiences of her life to learn the Julie Tupler technique.”
Teresa Lazar, MD (OB/GYN)

"I have been working with Julie Tupler over the past twelve years. I enthusiastically refer my pregnant patients to her Maternal Fitness® Program. In my experience, her clients are well prepared mentally and physically for labor. Her regimen of abdominal exercises makes for more efficient pushing, and for a more rapid postpartum recovery."
Gae Rodke , MD (NY OB/GYN)

"I am writing in behalf of a colleague and friend, Ms Julie Tupler. I have known Ms Tupler for many years and have referred patients to her and her company, Maternal Fitness. I have received only excellent feedback both anecdotally, and of course, by witnessing firsthand, how well my patients respond in labor to her exercise and conditioning techniques. She and her staff have a great method of communicating to their clients so that the women they train feel in control of their bodies, both during and after delivery. She has helped to make a difficult and often frightening experience for many, not only manageable, but enjoyable. I can say this with absolute assurance, since I was one of her clients. Her coaching in abdominal wall strengthening and control played a large role in my wonderful delivery of Zoe Eleni. For all these reasons, I recommend her and her associates at Maternal Fitness wholeheartedly as a part of an excellent ante partum and postpartum education experience.”
Ellen Manos, M.D. (NY OB/GYN)

"An innovative and dynamic program that could be enjoyed by both pregnant and non-pregnant women alike."
Raul Artal, M.D, FACOG
(ACOG- Chair of Scientific Program/Professor and Chairman, College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Health & Science Center)

CLIENTS

"Julie,
Great news! You would not believe it but the surgeon has determined there is no longer any medical reason for surgery! I was scheduled to go under the knife three days ago and the doctor., who hasn't seen me since Dec, couldn't believe the changes. There is still a small hernia, visible to the naked eye, but we can't make it pop in or out the way a hernia should so the doctor thinks it's not worth undergoing surgery at this point. I'm not sure I communicated this before, but when I saw him in Dec. he recommended a repair including 5" of mesh! Now the area surrounding the defect is so tight that if we did surgery, we would need a teeny circle of mesh, less than an inch.

Thanks so much for teaching me how to tighten my transverse. Your exercises have changed everything. As I mentioned before, I've lost 1 1/2 inches off my waist, I've noticeably toned my abs and I don't have to have a surgery that was supposed to lay me up for 2 weeks and prevent me from lifting my son of 6! I'm eternally grateful and a total convert to the cult of Julie. Can I write you a letter of endorsement?
Best wishes"
Kimberley Cowell Meyers,
Washington, DC

"Just a note to thank you for preparing me both physically and mentally for the “marathon of labor” as you call it. I started late in my pregnancy but the “Tupler Technique” abdominal exercises I learned for pushing and to prevent back problems really worked in labor. I don’t think Flynn could have been brought into the world with twenty minutes of pushing without them. Understanding how to push with a strengthened transverse muscle while relaxing the pelvic floor muscles gave me that mind body connection so necessary in pushing. I feel my recovery was also faster thanks to your program. I have referred and will continue to refer women to the Maternal Fitness Program."
Elle Macpherson (actress, model, mom)

“I started working with Julie Tupler and Maternal Fitness in my fifth month of pregnancy. I found that I was developing debilitating biomechanical problems: I couldn’t walk without pain, my sciatic nerve was killing me, I had trouble carrying anything that weighed more than five pounds. Furthermore, after 20 years of serious running and participation in many sports, the lack of exercise was also making me depressed. When I told my doctors about these problems, they shrugged their shoulders. I thought it would be easy for me to find an appropriate exercise program, but there really weren’t many options out there. I finally learned of Maternal Fitness from a massage therapist who specializes in pregnant women.
I began seeing Julie once a week for almost 5 months. It was a relief to get an all-body workout, to strengthen the muscles that were particularly stressed by my changing body. Julie tailored the workout to my strengths and weaknesses. At the end of every session, she would do 15 minutes of massage and relaxation. I soon found that my biomechanics were back to normal and that I could walk and go about my business without pain.
We also worked on preparing the muscles that would be most important during the actual childbirth. I worked with Julie on my transverse muscles and practiced breathing properly. When I did go into labor, the work paid off. At just over an hour, my doctor assumed that I must be too tired to continue doing three sets of ten pushes at a time. When she asked if I wanted to go down to two sets, I told her that I’d prefer t move up to four! The baby was born soon after. My doctor was impressed by how strong I was. I think the Maternal Fitness Program is an excellent combination of exercise, education and relaxation. Taking part in the program was one of the best decisions I made. I attribute my good recovery from childbirth to the fact that I maintained optimal fitness during my pregnancy."
Ellie McGrath (marathon runner)

“I have experienced Maternal Fitness both professionally and personally and find it to be an impressive and important service.
As a journalist, I interviewed Julie Tupler about her Maternal Fitness Program and featured her information on the Health and pregnancy page of Glamour Magazine. I also plan to cover other aspects of her program in future issues. As a mother to be, Julie coached me through my second pregnancy. I felt great---very strong and energetic—until the day I delivered. My obstetrician, the labor nurse as well as a medical student who observed my labor were very impressed with my labor and delivery. As the medical student remarked, “I’ve never seen a more controlled labor.” And, it’s true. Julie had prepared me both physically and psychologically for labor. Julie’s expertise as a nurse is solid and she gives women what they really need –information. And with health care reform in the wings, nurses like Julie are going to become crucial to the distribution of health care. I would recommend her Maternal Fitness program to any woman who is interested in fully participating in her own labor and delivery.”
Stephanie Young

"Dear Julie,
Thank you so much for the wonderful classes! I had a great, drug-free labor and delivery. Before the birth my doctor kept telling me ‘anything could happen” and that all the preparation in the world would not necessarily make much of a difference. Little did he know I had an amazing and powerful birth experience and I owe it to you. The transverse work kept me strong and comfortable during the pregnancy, and made pushing more productive. During the pushing phase both my doctor and nurse told me to bear down—which I did for a few pushes. However, it seemed more “natural” to do the exhalation pushing. I was able to squat for the delivery …and it made a big difference. At first I was laying back and the baby kept hovering between +1and -1. Once I started squatting the baby made significant progress in the birth canal and was born shortly after. I pushed for 45 minutes and felt great. Within a few hours after the birth I was working the transverse and doing Kegels. Everyone was amazed at how quickly I got back in shape. I was back in my jeans about three weeks after the birth. I am telling all my friends about you. Thank you and keep up the good work".
Marianna Kulak, NYC

“I just wanted to thank you for creating this program. I had a baby 3 weeks ago and it went really well because of my great transverse muscles! Last spring I took your 1 day continuing education class for professionals (which I greatly enjoyed) and last summer became pregnant. Throughout the pregnancy I continued to teach aerobics (modified) and used the Tupler Technique exercises daily (even taught them to my students, even though we weren’t doing prenatal aerobics). I worked out up until the baby was born, and even though the birth didn’t go as planned, I was able to push out my 10 pound baby boy in 12 minutes! The doc was saying “hold your breath” and I was too busy exhaling to tell her NO WAY (she stopped telling me to hold my breath when she saw how effective my pushes were.) She had settled in for a long night of labor, but the baby popped out after just a few rounds of pushes. Despite the epidural, I was still able to use the techniques I had practiced and didn’t spend hours pushing. Maternal Fitness was very helpful. Thank you so much..”
Jackie Weisberger

"Dear Julie,
"I want to thank you for your support in teaching your program of exercise and good health…both mentally and physically. I was nervous about labor and delivery since I’ve never experienced either before and heard only “horror” stories of others who had babies. I’m happy to say that because of what I learned about what my body was capable of and what to expect during delivery—I breezed right through it!! I had an easy labor, knew how to breathe correctly, and used the muscles needed for a very easy birth!! I had no cuts, tears, aches or soreness afterwards. I was able to start exercising again (slowly) after 4 weeks. My doctor has said it was one of the easiest deliveries for him and fully supports your program. The day after delivery, the nurses were all in my room at some point and I told them all about you and your program. I left the hospital with well-toned, strong abdominals. The nurses were all impressed. I have mentioned your program to others and will continue to give your book to those friends who are expecting. I will continue with your post-partum classes and will forever remain aware of my transverse!! As well as keeping them “out-the back” when exercising, picking up baby or other objects, sitting up from a lying position , etc. If there’s anything I can do to help you promote your work let me know. By the way, my husband’s a big fan…especially for a very short 4 push delivery! Thanks so much."
Sharon Strompf

"I selected the Maternal Fitness Program based on the individual approach and the accommodation to my time schedule. The program has far exceeded my expectations, for example: I used to have lower back problems and be at my chiropractor once a month; since doing transverse abdominal and upper-back exercises my posture has improved so much that I can’t even remember the last time I visited my chiropractor. This is, by the way, one of the reasons I am still continuing with the program after I delivered my baby. Pushing the baby out was very difficult given the fact that she was in the “nose-up” position. I also needed to do it fast because her heart rate dropped at each contraction. The doctor was ready to use forceps but wanted to wait since I had no epidural. The doctor told me “push as hard as you can.” And I said “fine, if I can do it my way.” My way is really the Julie Tupler way: push with the transverse and don’t stop for a breath, keep on breathing. The baby was out in two contractions!
Another important point is that the program focuses on all muscles (arms, upper body, legs , abdominals) which keeps the whole body strong and in balance. I would recommend the program to anybody. I feel great and I would contribute most of it to the Maternal Fitness Program.”
Caroline Van Scheltinga

“It is with the greatest of pleasure and enthusiasm that I write this letter of recommendation for Julie Tupler. I gained thirty five pounds during my pregnancy. Nevertheless, the day after I delivered my son, my stomach had totally sprung back into shape and was TOTALY flat. Frankly, I’m convinced that my stomach was not only flat, but in many ways firmer than before I got pregnant.
Although I was concerned about losing my figure when I got pregnant, my appearance was not foremost in my mind when I contacted Julie. I had heard that exercising during pregnancy helped make your pregnancy and delivery easier. For this reason, I hunted all over New York for a prenatal exercise program. After attending several different classes, and meeting one on one with all the prenatal gurus, I was extremely discouraged. From the little reading I had done on exercise during pregnancy, I could see that not one of these programs offered an exercise regime that was safe for my baby and myself. Then along came Julie. Julie was a lifesaver for me because not only did she give me a strenuous workout, but all her exercises were safety conscious. It should go without saying that a pre-natal trainer would have safety on their mind, but having met with many of them, I can tell you that Julie is unique in this aspect. As far as the results of Julie’s program, I was extremely pleased. I experienced no backaches, or other aches and pains during my pregnancy. I had a very quick and easy labor and delivery. Most surprising of all, I was definitely in the best shape of my life when I delivered my son. Every inch of my body, except for my stomach, was the firmest it has even been. Quite an accomplishment that Julie got me into this shape while I was pregnant and the exercises we could do were limited! And as I said earlier in this note, Julie made my stomach incredibly strong. I’m convinced; that this stomach strength is what aided my delivery and made my stomach so incredibly tight the day after delivering! I could go on forever singing Julie’s praises. I would highly recommend her as a pre-natal trainer.
Cynthia Remec

"Dear Julie,
Now that things are settling down with our new addition, I wanted to take a moment to thank you. Without your expertise, help, encouragement, and support (not to mention Kegels and transverses), my birth experience would have been a Cesarean horror instead of a joy. And the fact that I was up walking around one hour later is testament to your skill. If you even need a reference or recommendation, please let me know."
Diane Cohen

"I took your class in the Union Square studio in March and April. 12 days ago, I had a baby girl. I want to thank you so much for enlightening me with the Tupler Technique. When it comes time to push, my doctor told me to take a deep breath and hold it for a count of ten. Though I had already discussed with her my desire to use your technique, I think she had more faith in the Valsalva maneuver. (I was later told that most women, when they exhale on the push, usually lose all the steam that helps to make the "push" effective.) To make a long story short, I appeased the Doctor with one push using "her" method just to see what it felt like. But when I felt my head about to explode and felt I wasn't making any progress, I exhaled and insisted I continue with "my" method- the method I've been practicing since I first took your class. As it was second nature after all the practice, four contractions later, my baby was born. Both the nurse and doctor said the Tupler Technique for pushing was one of the most effective they had seen. The nurse even came to my room the next morning to ask me more questions about your class and to write down the name of your book and website. Thanks to what I learned in your class, my birth experience was amazing. I truly felt my abdominal muscles doing all the work they were supposed to do, and I wasn't out of breath or in any discomfort at all. Interestingly enough, my birth was filmed for a Baby Story on the Learning Channel and will be aired in September. You'll be able to see your Techniques put to good use. Even the doctors said, thanks to the way I pushed, it was truly a birth that was "made for TV!" Thanks to you again. I have been telling everyone about your class- and now that I gave birth, I am praising Maternal Fitness even more. It was a phenomenal experience!! Thanks very much! Please feel free to use me as a reference or testimonial anytime.
Sincerely,
Stephanie and Gary Karp

"Let me start by saying that I delivered a 9lb, 2 oz 22.5 inches long baby boy without an episiotomy and without tearing. My obstetrician who has been delivering babies for 27 years, and the attending nurse, said that I was the best “pusher” they had ever seen. My pushing stage lasted about 25 minutes and even though I was on my back and in stirrups and instructed to hold my breath, I was able to push with my abdominal muscles - as taught to me by Julie Tupler and Maternal Fitness. I loved the pushing stage! I would and will, recommend your program to all pregnant women I meet."
Jill Zoeller

"Julie,
I very much appreciated your class and the techniques---I’ve encouraged friends to contact you. My due date was August 24th—I delivered a healthy boy on August 6th after following your exercise routine and leading a very active life. My labor began in a restaurant. I left at 10 pm before desert was served! I delvered at 11:50 pm with no medication. The experience was positive in every way. Thanks for your help and guidance."
Megan Wiese

"To make a long story short: The pushing ended up being a combination of the Tupler method and the bear down method. It was a compromise. Anyway , it was successful, as I only pushed for around 20 minutes(the nurse said first-time moms usually push between one and three hours) and had no episiotomy and no bloodshot eyes. By the way Alexis was, indeed born with very strong legs!! In fact she makes me very nervous on the changing table. I am very glad I took your class—it helped me prepare on many levels, including emotionally and “intellectually.” In fact, I am sure that it is because I seemed so knowledgable and informed that my doctor respected my wishes in the delivery room."
Katrina Von Hoyer

"I love your program. Two years ago in my 2nd pregnancy, I was able to become a VBAC to everyone’s surprise. My midwife and the LD nurse were both amazed at the excellent and very effective pushing I did. The baby really zoomed out. Now I am 3 months away from our 3rd birth. Of course, I am doing my Maternal Fitness training again. I wish every mom knew of your program. It really works!"
Monique Sarkessian

"I just wanted to say thank you for the encouragement to do all those transverse exercises! I went into labor at 3:30 am on July 6th (only 2 days late) and was able to stay home until I was dilated 6 centimeters at 4:30 pm. At 8:30 pm I was 10 centimeters dilated and the nurse was ready to show me how to push. She explained the “hold your breath thing” and I said “NO”! I don’t push that way.” And she said something to the effect of yes, that’s the way it works. But of course I ignored her, and my husband would laugh every time she told me to let all the air out, because it was already out! I pushed with the stomach , not with the butt, and I can happily say that I didn’t get any hemorrhoids (that’s what I was most afraid of). I don’t remember everything from that time, but my husband recalls that I only pushed about 10 times once I was 10 centimeters. And then at 9:23 Kira Marie was born."
Kathy Stathis

"I think the Classes and the BAKS Basics helped the most during delivery. I don’t think I would have known how to push effectively without it."
Wendy Schlatner

"Maternal Fitness was an excellent source of information for me. I have to give Maternal Fitness all the credit for steering me in the right direction toward an incredible birthing experience and empowering me to take a pro-active stance when it came to my pregnancy. Armed with the knowledge that I can make choices, I actually changed obstetrician and hospital in my seventh month of pregnancy no less! I ended up delivering Theodore seated on the floor of the birthing center room with wonderful care-massaging my perineum and bringing him into the world with not a scratch-and no tears on my end! I did have terrible back labor. But again thanks to Maternal Fitness program, I was able to manage the pain, and feel in control throughout my labor. All that transverse work paid off! Thank you for your enthusiasm and concern toward educating and preparing women-physically and mentally for the incredible experience of labor!"
Lynn Santalucia

"You know, I’ve been so remiss since Dylan was born to tell Julie about my birth story. It’s a really good one and a real testament to many things I did for myself during pregnancy, one being Maternal Fitness. Tell her to call me when she has a minute. She’s going to LOVE to repeat my labor/birth/delivery story. I avoided a c-section WITH a Downs Syndrome baby in utero (which I had not idea until he was born, by the way) and he had a heart defect, so my contractions made his heart keep plummeting-AND I was in labor 52 hours AND after all that, when it was time to push- I pushed him out in only 40 minutes and I definitely avoided a c-section because of this, which would’ve been the worst procedure for delivery for my son due to his problems. It was wild. The doctor and midwife were so certain I was too tired to push and I was like, “I AM DOING THIS….LET’S GO TRANSVERSE MUSCLES…” They were blown away that it only took me a little over a half an hour. I was the talk of the delivery room."
Michelle Smith

"I absolutely loved the Tupler Technique and I’m convinced it helped me not only have a very smooth delivery but also a fast recovery. I fit into my jeans 9 days after delivering Thomas! Thank you Julie!!!"
Raffaella Rivetti.

"Hey Julie! I’m a proud Maternal Fitness new mom and thought I’d pass on the details! Delivery was all natural vaginal birth, episiotomy free! ! via transverse abs, squatting, sidelying, combo of exhale pushing, some lithotomy once baby got around pubic bone—your program made my birth plan a true reality. Thank you Julie."
Cindy Reejhsinghani

"During my delivery, as soon as it was time to push, it was exactly as Julie said it would be- they told me to “hold my breath and bear down”----instead I just closed by eyes and used my transverse muscles to push and my son cam (literally) flying out after 5 pushes- it was only 20 minutes!!! I will be forever grateful to you. The technique really does work!!"
Kristen Reynolds

"Maternal Fitness was wonderful! The exercises helped to ease the pregnancy aches and pains, as well as help to keep me fit throughout. I feel very fortunate to have had a quick and relatively easy labor and delivery. My water broke at 1:15 am and though I must have been in labor, I didn’t realize it until it became active labor at about 3:30 am. We left for the hospital and when I arrived at 4:30 am I was 9.5 centimeters dilated. My daughter was born at 5:40 am. I definitely attribute a great deal of my wonderful birth experience to my prenatal preparations and Maternal Fitness. Thank you." Sharon Purce

"I had a great pregnancy-I was extremely mobile and exercised up until the end-walking a least an hour a day and doing a thousand transverse and at least 100 Kegels. I felt great. My labor and delivery were smooth and relatively easy. I felt energized after-but I do credit my work with Maternal Fitness for helping me with strength, stamina and confidence."
Kathleen McInerney

"I was extremely pleased with the Maternal Fitness program. I’m sure that the exercises allowed me to push out the baby in only 10 minutes-(4-6 pushes) I used no pain medications and there was not need for an episiotomy. I am very pleased with the results and would be happy to recommend the program. Thank you."
Julie Kornfeld

"I pushed for 2 ½ hours. My doctor was really impressed with my focused pushing I would have had to have a c-section if not for my pre-natal labor exercises. My doctor was amazed that I was able to push out such a large baby and she remarked several times on my fitness. I really think the ab work made a huge difference. Thanks."
Ann Koppel

"The Tupler Technique exercises I learned were so useful during labor! I was in active labor for 6 hours, my water broke at home…I got to the hospital already at 5 centimeters. I had a completely natural birth. I pushed six times and the baby came right out! I do tell all pregnant ladies about your program."
Teresa Labarga-Borg

"I only pushed for 30 minutes! I am certain Maternal Fitness and the Tupler Technique helped me!"
Carol Guinta

"I just wanted to let you know that I had by baby girl on Tuesday. She weighed 7 lbs 5 ozs and is totally healthy and amazing. I had a great labor, exactly the way I’d envisioned it: no IV, no epidural, no drugs whatsoever, no episiotomy, etc. It lasted 7 hours, with the pushing only taking 23 minutes. I wanted to thank you for your program, and let you know that the pushing was the best part of the labor—I felt empowered and really prepared. My sister said I didn’t even break a sweat! Now I am back to doing my kegals and ab work—and you could never tell that I just had a baby. Keep teaching!"
Kira Gould

"My labor progressed very quickly. Your program really helped me be very prepared and I was able to relax a lot during labor—so thank you! I only pushed for 40 minutes, thanks in no small way to my abdominal muscles."
Helen Garrett

"Of my three deliveries, this was much easier. Your program really helped me prepare. I began labor on Thursday afternoon and went to the hospital around 10. I wasn’t progressing much, but they gave me pitocin, and finally things started moving. I did not have an epidural, but after they upped my dose of pitocin, I had a bit of pain killer. I was so tired from being up all night and having the flu. But an hour later, I had dilated the rest of the 8 cm, and was ready to go. The breathing was much easier (though they did tell me to hold my breath, after all that practice I couldn’t) and I really felt in much better shape to do everything. I had three pushes and out he popped. I did not need an episiotomy, and felt great. All this despite the flu. Thanks again for your terrific program."
Lola Franco

"I think that because I was able to control and therefore relax my pelvic floor muscles during pushing, I was able to push out my 9 lb 2 oz first child after 30 hours of induced labor (2 weeks overdue) out of my 5”4” 125 lb pre-pregnancy frame in less than ONE HOUR! Despite not feeling the urge to push in the beginning due to the epidural not wearing off fast enough. My doula ( also my nurse that night) called me a “bullet” for pushing my son out so fast! She joked, “Where were you hiding this huge kid?”Thanks for your program. It was worth the money."
Marianna Ferrari

"Pushed my little guy out in 3 pushes. Doctor said I was really strong!"
Rachel Ocken

"The “toothpaste tube” visualization was the most helpful. The Maternal Fitness Program was absolutely the most important thing in preparing me for labor and delivery---more so then my birth preparation class. Julie’s explanation helped me better understand how my body is meant to work. Thank you so much Julie! I will never do abdominal exercises any other way! Also, I swear, I looked in the mirror the day after delivery and though I looked good enough to put on a bathing suit! My stomach is flat!"
Eve Epstein

"I started pushing with the Tupler Technique I learned at Maternal fitness----in 15 minutes the baby crowned. But because she was facing up (so I had back labor) and it was a tighter fit, and got the unbilical cord wrapped around her neck like a leash, I ended up combining the pushing technique with some bearing down with the strong encouragement of the labor nurse. Total pushing time was one hour and 15 minutes. The labor nurse said “Whatever your exercise class taught you is really paying off.”
Carrie Drake

"I had no back problems during my pregnancy and pushed Alexander out in 3 pushes and in 10 minutes. So I felt that the exercises I learned and practiced did contribute to this wonderful birth and pregnancy. Thank you."
Melissa Burch

"My delivery was amazing! I didn’t even feel the contractions until I was about 7 cm dilated. The actual pain was bad for only a couple of hours, but much more bearable after doing the exercises. I pushed the baby out in about 15 minutes! Thanks again for your program."
Judy Bass

"My doctor was very impressed with my pushing. Because the baby hadn’t sufficiently dropped, a c-section was looming. My doctor wanted me to try though and on the first push I moved her from a - 1 position to +2-2.5 I used the pushing technique I learned and felt comfortable. While the nurses told me to push as if I were having a bowel movement, I pushed with my abdominals and all worked very well. I was very pleased with my labor and delivery."
Maggie Allen