Prenatal Yoga: Physical & Emotional Relaxation for Expectant Mothers

First, a disclaimer: The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Anyone with questions regarding prenatal yoga must consult their physician for further information. I'm not a doctor, and can't answer medical questions.

With that said, why would moms-to-be find prenatal yoga valuable? This low-impact type of exercise is specifically designed to promote healthy breathing, good posture, and helps you relax both physically and emotionally. These are all important benefits that women who are preparing for a natural childbirth actively seek. Staying physically and emotionally healthy during pregnancy is vital, and prenatal yoga can help expectant mothers to achieve this without physical exertion.

Prenatal Yoga: The Benefits

Lamaze breathing continues to be taught to women, promoting breathing techniques that make the pain associated with childbirth easier to deal with. Breathing techniques also tell the body to relax, which can further ease pain.

Taking this a step further, prenatal yoga combines a breathing technique known as ujayi with relaxation techniques. Not only will expectant mothers have a good grip on proper breathing, they will have specific methods for relaxing as much as possible. Pairing prenatal yoga with a cardiovascular exercise like walking, yoga keeps you limber, tones your muscles, improves your balance and circulation - and it's extremely low-impact, making it safe for most pregnant women.

Here's some science behind the idea of breathing techniques helping ease labor pain. When you're in pain or afraid (both of which definitely apply to childbirth), your body produces adrenaline. While adrenaline starts pumping through your system, the production of oxytocin (the hormone that makes labor progress) starts shutting down. So if you're relaxing, adrenaline slows down - and oxytocin remains more consistent - which helps the whole childbirth process less painful and should speed it up as well.