does pregnancy yoga help labour?
Does pregnancy yoga help labour?
In a word - yes!
You probably already know that pregnancy yoga can help to ease aches and pains in pregnancy, help maintain and build strength, and relax your body and mind. I talk about this a lot at my yoga classes in Saltaire (Bradford) and Farsley (Leeds).
But you may not know that it also helps in labour (and who is going to complain about that?!)
The research
Studies have shown that women who regularly practice prenatal yoga have more feelings of ‘self-efficacy’ - that’s basically feeling more empowered during labour.
Some studies have shown that women who do prenatal yoga experience shorter first stage (where your cervix is dliating) labour than those who don’t. Others have shown that pregnancy yoga actually reduces the perception of pain during labour - how amazing is that?
We know that high levels of stress and anxiety can increase the chances of pre-term birth, long labour and the need for interventions - and we also know that pregnancy yoga can reduce stress and anxiety. My yoga classes always feature a relaxation section which incorporates hypnobirthing techniques (I’m a hypnobirthing teacher too!) - aimed to build a positive mindset and release fears and worries about pregnancy and birth.
but what if i have no time to practice?
Do you have a super busy schedule, or have children already? My online yoga club is literally designed for busy women! You can access my yoga videos at any time from the comfort of your own home, and each session is 10-15 minutes long, so you can squeeze it into your packed day.
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