Pre-natal yoga

[noor265]

Would love some feedback on pre-natal yoga. Who's tried it and what did they think? At what stage in your pregnancy did you start? I thought I could start at 12 weeks but my Dr has advised me not to. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[AphraBane]

Why on earth did your doctor advise you not to do yoga for the first 3 months? Do you have a particular condition or is it just a doctor who knows nothing about yoga?

I did yoga with specialist trained teachers throughout both pregnancies, from about 9 weeks through to about 37. The first time was with a yoga teacher (and mother) who'd done extra training, the second was with a qualified midwife who'd done a yoga teaching course. However, I do yoga in a regular course now and we had a woman recently who stayed with the normal group until well into her second trimester - she just didn't do any 'lying on your stomach' exercises.

Both of them were really good, but you do need to get along with your teacher to get the most from it. I had midwife-run births in independent units both times, so I knew there was no option for pain relief, and TBH it was the yoga classes that got me through the births. It wasn't just the emphasis on breathing, but also the idea of being active during pregnancy meant that I stayed active during the births, and that just made everything that bit quicker. So totally to be recommended, but check that your trainer has an appropriate qualification.

[AphraBane]

Ah, I misread your OP, your doctor has advised you not to start at 12 weeks - how strange. Never heard that before. I don't think in a healthy pregnancy there's any reason for that.

[noor265]

I did think it was a bit odd. She is a very elderly Dr who is very nice but not very informative. She said I should wait for 1 more month but as per my understanding I can start at 12 weeks. So far the pregnancy is healthy so no issues there.

[nc060]

I currently do it and the leader/teacher doesn't let you start until 14 weeks, I thought it was more to do with making sure you have had your scan as she talks so much about preparing you for labour and connecting with the baby etc could be very upsetting if you then went on to lose the baby by the scan?

I am 20 weeks and yoga is the only time of the week I sleep well and my back doesnt hurt xx

[Elastigrrrl]

I've done prenatal yoga since my 16th week, which was the earliest my teacher would accept students. There's a lot of talk about how delicate early fetuses are, but whether anyone actually knows for sure what affects them is far less clear. An experienced teacher probably won't accept people before she is confident it won't cause a problem, so maybe you should seek teachers with good reviews and ask them.

[Waitinggame8]

Currently do a class once a week, I'm 32weeks now.
My teacher doesn't accept students until they are 13/14 weeks so maybe that's what your Dr meant.

Apart from good exercise, I like the social aspect of being with other. Mums to be, only chance I get as I'm an older first time mum and all my friends have kids already at school.

[allduffedup]

I just started a Birthlight class a couple of weeks ago at 18 weeks. It is very gentle, and focuses on breathing, stretching, relaxation and easing aches and pains. I think it is most suitable for when you get bigger, so I wouldn't have wanted to start much before 18 weeks.

[HullBird]

I have a pregnancy yoga book with some very gentle (and relaxing) postures suggested for the first 12 weeks. I have a friend who is a qualified Yoga Bellies instructor (as well as BWY qualified) and fully intend to join her class- she doesn't take anyone before 14 weeks. It's like all the exercise advice I think, there's a difference between starting something completely new and continuing something that your body is already used to. Might be worth checking out your local groups and speaking to the instructor directly. And if you do go for it I really hope that you enjoy it!

[Noodledoodledoo]

I started one at 16 weeks, my instructor also won't let people start until they are 15 weeks if they are new to it.

I am in a normal session as her pregnancy one is low on numbers currently but will switch when numbers pick up.

[Monkeybrain10]

I was advised not to start it til 2nd trimester as had previously had miscarriage...and hadn't been doing yoga before. I gave it a try..loved it but sadly it appears to have aggravated pelvic problems so have had to give it up. I think everyone is different so give it a go!

[livingzuid]

It is to do I think with not starting a new form of exercise in the first trimester. If you had been regularly practicing before then it shouldn't be a problem. My instructor took people from 14 weeks.

[noor265]

It would be a new form of exercise for me so I can see now why I have been asked to wait. I am concerned about my weight though as I am on the overweight side and with all the terrible morning sickness problems I have been very inactive up to this point. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can help control my weight during this time? I have lost 4kg this month due to the sickness but I am still concerned now about all the complications which may come up because of excess weight!

[livingzuid]

If you have bad morning sickness/hypermesis then I'm afraid you can only eat what you can when you can. It will vary, what stays down and what doesn't. The main thing is to ensure you are getting enough fluid and not getting dehydrated. Very cold drinks work well and if you are really struggling do see your Dr as there is medication which is safe to take in pregnancy. Visit the hypermesis thread for more advice and support.

Don't force yourself to exercise if it is too much and don't feel badly about being overweight. Wait to see how you feel once the first trimester and sickness misery passes (I hope you don't have hg as it isn't fun!) and eat sensibly. But again, don't feel bad if you reach for that burger or chocolate! I had weeks where all I could manage was McDonald's or KFC. I was miserable but it was so processed it was all I could tolerate!

Swimming is wonderful, as is waking. When I was able to I ambled all round the city with the dog for an hour or two each way. I also had a yoga dvd which was great - Buddha Bellies one.

Just don't push yourself. Pregnancy takes a huge toll on some of us so be nice to you. Weight gain, even for those of us over, is normal in pregnancy. Gentle exercise and eating well if possible is the best thing you can do. Reducing stress is far more valuable to prevent hypertension which I have had for most of pregnancy and I was lucky to stop work at 17 weeks. But your blood pressure does rise in pg too so try to not worry about it too much.

[BentleyBelly]

I highly recommend yoga in pregnancy, I think it was part of the reason why I had an easy uncomplicated drugfree labour. The breathing techniques and positions are so helpful. It was also immensely helpful with my pregnancy aches and pains. My teacher wouldn't take people till 20 weeks.

[Heatherbell1978]

You shouldn't practice yoga before 13/14 wks unless you have been practicing for years and are fully versed with what positions you should avoid. I've been practicing bikram and Astanga for many years and decided to wait until week 14 due to a previous m/c. To be honest I didn't feel much like doing any exercise until then due to nausea. Now I'm doing prenatal yoga so I strongly advise you to find somewhere that offers prenatal yoga as there are a lot of positions you shouldn't do with a bump that 'normal' classes will do.