Calling all fellow yoga-lovers re: backwards bends in pregnancy?

[HappySurfWidow]

Afternoon all,

I've been doing yoga for the past 15 years: all sorts, but for the last couple of years mainly Bikram & Ashtanga. But now I'm 4.5 mths pg with DC2 I've dropped the Bikram and am just doing Ashtanga a couple of times a week. I had a month-off sport due to chronic morning sickness, but have been getting my OMMM on again now for several weeks!

In today's class I've done some inverted poses (not held for as long as when pre-pg!) and some backwards bends (camel & bridge poses). My wonderful teacher (who keeps a special eye out for me in class now I'm pg) tells me I can do the backwards asanas, e.g. bridge, all the way to the end of the pregnancy if I continue to feel good. Which so far I do.

However, I'm a bit confused as it seems to me to go against the common advice of not lying on your back after 12 weeks. Surely these bends must compress bloodflow etc more than just lying flat?????

What have you guys been told or done with regards to this? Any teachers out there who can give me a second opinion?

Thanks and namaste!

P.S. I had a complicated first pg (following peritonitis at 5mths) so this is my first pg doing sport and staying active (fingers-crossed), and I want to make the most of it.

Sorry for the long post!!!!!

Hi Happy. I did astanga before I got pg with DD. I didn't carry it on during because it just felt really not the right thing. With bridge (is that right? The one you do three times at the end before you do drop backs) I had a feeling of tightness across my belly from early on so I stopped that. I think if you are being cautious and making sure you pull back if anything's different it should be ok, but of course I don't know for sure.

My understanding of the thing about lying on your back is that the baby's weight is on the blood vessel that goes to your legs, so you would get some tingling or discomfort to warn that you need to move. But you should definitely check that with someone medically qualified! I would have thought as you don't have the pressure from the floor or bed or whatever that maybe it's not the same. But can you modify just in case? And you could also ask your midwife, and demonstrate, to make sure it's safe.

Tbh, I would err very strongly on the side of caution with anything that's a strong pose, it's only nine months and you can resume a more full practice after that. However I do know that people carry on throughout with no problems.

I would look for a birthright yoga teacher or go to a pregnancy yoga class if I were you. Because of hormone changes, strong postures should be avoided to safeguard ligaments and tendons from over stretching.

Birthlight that is.

Ok thanks guys. I think I will really listen to my body and ask for alternatives or modified poses if I feel I need them.