Yoga for Labour

Hey dear ones,

Thank you for being here. I am delighted to be offering more post natal yoga practices and postpartum support within my work, being qualified in specialist diploma pre and post natal yoga means i infuse my classes with additional care and practices that will help you through pregnancy and into postpartum healing. Which is an incredibly delicate time and one that needs immense love and support.

More sharing of this to come with my own journey and experience in postpartum healing, all of which these real time experiences have been the back bone in inspiring my offerings of these rituals and tips for healing deep by nourishing your body after giving birth to your baby. From my heart to yours!

Looking forward to seeing you all for next pregnancy yoga class. Supporting you with these reminders below, as you approach your due date and for those very near to birthing.
in the meantime keep practicing the yoga postures from class and hold your body in upright positions during labour so that gravity helps your baby descend down.

You can keep going with these poses:

~ Supported Tree Stretch. Standing with your hand supported on a chair, bend your left knee & leg taking the foot in to your right inner thigh or rest the foot on the side of the bed.feel your hip & pelvis opening, enjoy the inhale and exhale breathes. Rock your pelvis to soothe lower back ache. Repeat on the other side.

~Moving split squats. Stand with legs a little wider than shoulder width apart, bend the knees keep the back straight and slowly squat down, hold and breathe in deeply.
You could add a pulse motion to the squat for extra gravitational movement as you hold the squat gently pulse up & down,  then come up to stand.

~Rocking Cat Pose. Position yourself in the Cat posture kneeling on all fours. With a flat back gently rock your lower back to and fro. Use this posture in labour to ease pain, press palms down and breathe through contractions.

Sitting Hip Rolls. Sit on your gym Ball and sway or roll your hips, finding a soothing rhythm. As you roll to and fro one leg become straight and the other bent with feet pressed on the floor. Breathe and relax.

Bouncing Ball. Sitting on your gym ball with both knees bent, feet pressed to the floor. Gently bounce up and down. Enjoy the motion and allow gravity to work it’s magic as you ease your baby down during labour and support correct positioning. Breathe and relax.

The leaning position. This pose takes off pressure off your pelvic floor and allows your baby to change position. Lean the upper body on a wall pressing forearms into the wall, or squat leaning over a chair, birth ball or end of a bed. Rock and sway from side to side.

~ walking in between surges

~Rocking your hips in a figure of eight during surges.

~Optimal birthing Position. Kneel on the floor with a cushion under both knees, lean forward on the edge of a bed or chair. Bring one leg out to the side and place the foot onto the floor, creating a strong but comfortable stretch across the body base. Apply your movements, swaying the pelvis from side to side. Change legs every few minutes.
This position is great for relieving contraction pain and it facilitates your baby’s optimal positioning for journeying out into the world.

~ Squatting and gravity will help your baby find a good position and during labour the downward force of gravity really helps your baby move out.
when you are in wide pelvic positions it is easier to birth for your baby.
Upright positions during labour may also reduce pain and help you feel more in control as you can move your body freely.
Research as found that contractions are more effective and blood supply to your baby is improved when you use these positions compared to laying flat on your back, which is more painful… your body will intuitively want to move and be upright, so listen to that and let its primal knowing guide you through.

Follow all your instincts when in labour, remember to breathe—taking those deep breaths in and out to release discomfort. Use your visualisation skills to get you through each contraction and keep telling yourself that each time you have a contraction you are one step closer to meeting your baby.

Remember YOU are designed for birthing and your body knows exactly what to do.

Wishing you all the blessings for birth and motherhood.

love

Tina 🦋