Do you want to reduce stress, anxiety, and having a better labor experience? So prenatal yoga could be the suitable one for your needs. Here is when, why, and how to try prenatal yoga.
Prenatal yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is intended to supplement the growing needs of a pregnant body throughout all three trimesters. It focuses on stretching, mental centering, and increasing breath awareness.
Prenatal depression can have a negative impact on both the mother’s and the fetus’s physical and mental health. High-stress levels have been shown to increase miscarriage and preterm birth rates. A study showed that yoga decreased levels of depression in moms-to-be
The stretching and movements in yoga help increase blood flow to your heart. Improved blood flow means more oxygen-rich blood is going to your baby. This keeps your baby on track for healthy development.
Prenatal yoga strengthens and stretches the muscles in your lower back, shoulders, and legs, reduces fatigue, nausea, headaches, and may also relieve cramping of the uterus as it grows.
Many prenatal yoga instructors spend time teaching women how to open their hips and keep correct postural alignment, which helps with labor and delivery. Besides that, meditation and breathing exercises have been shown to reduce pain and anxiety during labor.
If you’ve never done yoga before, the best time to start is around 14 weeks into your second trimester.
If you practice yoga regularly before becoming pregnant, you should slow down and be aware of any changes in your body.
There’s no evidence that doing yoga, or any other exercise, in the first trimester will harm your pregnancy. However, to be on the safe side, some yoga teachers or doctors will advise you not to practice yoga for the first three months.
Talk to your doctor. Firstly, you need to talk with a doctor to get their advice and make sure he/she is okay before you start or continue a yoga program.
You should avoid:
You should stop your practice if you:
You can make an online consultation at MaNaDr application to see a doctor if you are concerned about when and whether you are able to do yoga during pregnancy
Download ManaDr at:
————
Reference: BabyCenter, Pregnancy yoga for beginners
BabyCenter, Prenatal yoga
Healthline, Prenatal Yoga Poses for Every Trimester
————-
Other articles you might interest in:
