Feel Strong, Capable, and Confident Through Birth—and Beyond
Learn More About My Approach
You wouldn’t run a marathon without training—so why should birth be any different? With the right preparation, you can feel stronger, move better, and recover faster. Let’s get your body ready for the journey ahead. Come visit me in the Lehigh Valley, PA!
MS Kinesiology, Pilates Teacher & Prenatal Exercise Specialist.
Hi! I’m katie donnelly
certifications & education by:
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Births Made Easier
Years Teaching
Years Studying Pilates
“Katie’s incredible knowledge of prenatal physiology really helped me feel more confident going into giving birth for the first time. I often left feeling more informed than after a doctor’s appointment!”
— Rosemary Yardley, First Time Mom
by the numbers
Today, I help women move through pregnancy with confidence, prepare their bodies for the birth THEY want, and recover with strength—not frustration.
You don’t need random modifications—you need a plan that supports your unique body and birth experience. And yes, I’m the friend who shows up at your baby shower with Dermablast, postpartum pads, and nipple cream. I’m here to answer all your “Is this normal?” questions with honesty, no matter how gross.
Like many women, I made a lot of assumptions during my first pregnancy.
I thought my background in movement science and Pilates would make pregnancy a breeze. But even with my knowledge, I realized that standard prenatal fitness advice didn’t actually prepare me for birth or recovery.
Every time I saw friends and clients struggle—not just with discomfort, but with feeling unprepared for labor and postpartum—I wondered, “Why isn’t anyone teaching this?” It wasn’t until I explored beyond traditional prenatal exercise that I discovered the missing piece: training the body for birth like you would train for any other physical goal or event.
So, I dove deeper. While I was working towards my Masters of Science in Kinesiology, I dove into the research on prenatal and postpartum exercise every chance I had. I became a Certified Body Ready Method™ Pro, expanding my approach beyond traditional prenatal exercise. I studied how movement, biomechanics, and preparation strategies could empower women to have more comfortable pregnancies, smoother and more efficient births, and recover with resilience. All of this new information got combined with my decades of Pilates experience.
I learned that staying “fit” during pregnancy isn’t enough—you need a strategy that prepares you for birth and recovery in an intentional way.
HOW I GOT HERE
My Story
That’s when everything changed.
What I Stand For
Prenatal fitness shouldn’t be about ‘playing it safe’ or just ‘keeping active.’
Birth is just the beginning. I’m here to support you as you rebuild strength, function, and confidence for the long run.
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Intentional Preparation
Innate Wisdom
Beyond Motherhood
Knowledge is Power
It should be about preparing your body for birth and recovery with intention. These values shape everything I do, and they’ll be the foundation of your prenatal fitness journey.
With so much information out there, it’s easy to feel lost. I provide clear, science-backed guidance so you know exactly what your body needs—and why.
Prenatal workouts shouldn’t be random. Every movement I teach has a purpose, helping you train for pregnancy, birth, and recovery.
Your body was made for this. I’ll help you reconnect with its natural wisdom so you can move through pregnancy and birth with confidence.
My Path to Becoming a Pilates and Birth Nerd
Every pregnancy journey is different, but the need for strength, knowledge, and support is universal. Here’s how I went from ballet dancer to physics teacher to prenatal movement specialist—and why I’m so passionate about helping women prepare for birth with confidence.
A trip down memory lane
the early years
The Dancer
Growing up as a ballet dancer taught me how the body moves—and how it can be pushed beyond its limits. Much like dance, there is both an art and a science to giving birth.
2007-2020
The Physics Teacher
I spent 13 years teaching high school physics, during which I earned my Masters in Education, developing a deep understanding of how we learn best. I even created a Biomechanics course for my future PT students!
2013
The 3rd Generation Pilates Teacher
After 10 months of training, I completed my Fletcher Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training. I saw firsthand how movement could be used to stretch, strengthen, and restore the body.
2016
The Diastasis and Perinatal Specialist
During my first pregnancy, I realized how much was missing from traditional prenatal fitness. Determined to change the conversation, I became certified in prenatal exercise and diastasis recti recovery through The Center for Women's Fitness.
2019
The Kinesiologist: Katie Donnelly, MS
I completed my MS in Kinesiology (with a 4.0, I might add!). Over those three years, I dove into the research surrounding prenatal exercise and diastasis recti recovery. I also became an adjunct professor of Dance Kinesiology at DeSales University where I still teach today.
2021
The Body Ready Method™ Pro
I deepened my expertise by becoming a Certified Body Ready Method™ Pro, allowing me to integrate advanced birth preparation strategies into my work. I’m now a Teaching Assistant and guest speaker for the program.
2024
Finding a Home at SteelCore Studio
After years of teaching on my own, I joined the amazingly talented teachers of SteelCore Studio in Bethlehem, PA. We pride ourselves on our commitment to the Pilates Method, with nearly 100 years of experience between us.
NOW
Helping Women Move for Birth
Today, through The Pilates Doula, I help women feel more comfortable during pregnancy, train their bodies for birth, recover with resilience, and feel empowered every step of the way.
What People Say About Working With Me
— Dr. Julia Smeltz, Pelvic Floor PT
The women I work with don’t just ‘stay active’ during pregnancy—they train for the most transformative event of their lives. Here’s what they have to say about working with me:
"Katie is truly the Prenatal Pilates expert in town! Her classes are a game-changer for moms-to-be."
— Kristin Ranke-Brown
"My partner and I both said we wouldn’t have been as prepared without your classes!"
— Angela McGlinn
"Delivery was a breeze compared to the first time!!! I cried happy tears."
Why I Do This Work
Too many women enter birth hoping for the best, only to end up feeling unprepared and unsupported. My mission is to change that.
Through strategic movement, mindset, and education, I help you feel strong, capable, and confident from pregnancy to postpartum. Pregnancy and childbirth are a wild ride—let’s make sure you’re moving through it with confidence (and way fewer aches and pains).
Ready to Feel Strong, Capable & Confident?
If you want to move through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with a plan—not just ‘wing it’—I’m here to help. Let’s build a strategy that makes you feel truly ready for the journey ahead.
Let's Chat & Get You Moving!
