I was afraid to overexert myself, so I just enjoyed some time off. I didnвЂ™t wear my pointe shoes because I was afraid of breaking my ankles, since I was so heavy!ДЄS: I performed until four months, took class through five months and then stopped. MK: I took class until nine months, just barre and a bit of center. JP: How did you approach class during pregnancy? My friends tell me the longer you stay home, the harder it is to go back! I was really grateful to have my first show in Maryland, not New York!ДЄB: IвЂ™m maybe overly ambitious.

I scheduled outside gigs to give myself a goal of four months off. ItвЂ™s really individual the company is very supportive.ДЄS: I had Colin in July and came back for Nutcracker. MK: I am planning to start back the first week of spring season, so five months after delivery. JP: WhatвЂ™s your time frame for postnatal recovery? JP: Did anyone ever assume you werenвЂ™t coming back to perform?ДЄB: I think everyone here knows you are coming back, but IвЂ™ve had outside people say, вЂOh, so youвЂ™re done dancing?вЂ™ДЄS: Or they say, вЂAre you going to teach now?вЂ™ But it was almost time for my three-month checkup, and I wanted to be sure everything was fine before I told anyone. I was almost thinking I should just tell them so I wouldnвЂ™t have to. I finally told Peter because casting was going up and I didnвЂ™t want to do Concerto Barocco because itвЂ™s too hard (and in white)!ДЄbi Stafford: I had to do an extra Dewdrop during Nutcracker the day after Christmas. My chest was really big and I kept thinking, I hope no one can tell! I kept closing my dressing-room door and taking naps.

Maria Kowroski: The company was in DC when I was two months pregnant, and, of course, I was performing in a white leotard. He had the best reaction, just so happy! I was also getting sick during rehearsal, so I told John Stafford, who was rehearsing me, so we could end early some days or take it easy. I had to tell the costume department, and then I told Peter. Jen Peters: What was early pregnancy like, and how did you tell the company?ДЄshley Bouder: I was preparing Swan Lake when I found out. In March, writer Jen Peters sat down with Abi Stafford and her 8-month-old Colin, Maria Kowroski and her 4-month-old Dylan, and an 8-months-pregnant Ashley Bouder to discuss motherhood in the life of a principal dancer.

Yet the company is having something of a baby boom right now, with three principal dancers currently diving into motherhood while upholding their careers. Throughout New York City BalletвЂ™s almost 70-year history, very few dancers have returned to the stage after having a baby.

Violet storm de florio