By Mary Mucci
There are so many factors that figure into what kind of experience a woman will have during labor, it may seem presumptuous to suggest that doing yoga will make it easier.
But I believe it can. I was not a first time mom when I used yoga to help me stretch and relax. It was my second birth. As anyone who’s given birth knows the second time is always far easier than the first because of the fear factor.
Fear was definitely a reason several of the moms I met on this story decided to try yoga. I applaud their decision. Because learning to trust your body, learning to breathe through discomfort and learning to focus can really help. At least it all helped me. I spent most of my labor focused on a scene from “Ferngully “ a favorite animated film where a fairy emerges from a flower. Thanks to that and my relaxed breathing techniques {not taught by Lamaz} I was able to achieve my goal of giving birth without any drugs.
That doesn’t mean that all moms who take yoga have the same goal. But if you can use yoga to relieve the early labor pains then perhaps you can arrive at the hospital {or wherever} at seven centimeters dilated which is what happened to one of the moms in the class. Remember, hospital procedures mean most moms are forced to labor on their backs strapped to a monitor. That makes it very difficult to relieve your own pain by changing your position. So arriving well-dilated seems like a worthwhile goal.
To Your Health,
Mary Mucci
Contacts:
Prenatal Yoga Classes
Guzin Potente, RYT
Northport Yoga Center
516 996 3399
Inner Spirit Yoga Center
East Northport 631 262 YOGA
In addition to prenatal there are mommy and me yoga classes , and yoga for kids and more
To Find A Yoga Class Near You Call: 631 261 1777
www.longislandyogaassociation.org click on teachers for the listing of teachers and centers
Mary,
I'm new to your blog, but I look forward to future posts. I was shock to see you have some readers who aren't fans. I really wasn't shocked, because not everyone is going to love every topic you report on. As a Wellness coach and believer in all modalities of health and wellness I know yoga can make child birth easier on the mother and I thank you for spreading the word.
All the Best
Rahsheen Slaughter
Breakthroughs To Fitness
Posted by: Rahsheen Slaughter | December 22, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I turned on the TV and saw a bunch of pregnant whales trying to move their obese bodies.
Then I realized it was your "commercial" for a yoga center catering to fat first-time preggos.
You should be ashamed on three counts.
1. I watch News 12 for local news - not infomercials.
2. A room full of waddling, self-absorbed pregnant women is not newsworthy nor appealing to watch. If you want to air it - how about at 2AM, when most of us are asleep? Having a baby? Trust me it's been done before.
3. Promoting hocus pocus, holistic drivel benefits only the shallow and elitist on Long Island. How many mothers from Wyandanch and Roosevelt attend these sessions? Any idea why?
How about some real journalism instead of fluff pieces? Here's a suggestion - Do some investigative reporting on chiropractors, vitamin companies or drug company prices.
(Let's see if you (or your bosses) have the courage to keep this posting on your blog)
Posted by: Carol Noran | December 15, 2008 at 11:49 AM