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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Did anyone do antenatal yoga? What does it do? Would you recommend it?

13 replies

Ghosty · 01/08/2003 22:38

Hello all
I am thinking of doing some exercise ... only thinking about it mind you and I was wondering about doing Yoga.
When I was pg with DS I did a bit of swimming but I actually get bored with swimming up and down ... I am usually a bit of a gym junkie but don't like to do that when pregnant ... likewise with things like aerobics and step classes, which I usually love but don't like when pg.
I do go for walks with DS but TBH it is hardly exercise is it? Walking along at a snails pace inspecting every leaf and insect along the way!
I'd like to do something in the evenings as DS has developed a hatred of the creche at the gym as it is really really full and he is overwhelmed by it ....
So ... quite fancy trying Yoga ... there is a class near me in the evening ....
Have many of you done it? Is it any good? What benefits for pregnancy? Will I look like a model throughout my pregnancy ?
Any viewpoints gratefully received .... ta very muchly .... xxxxxxx

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pupuce · 01/08/2003 22:46

Hey I teach it - and I did it with my pregnancy - before I thought it.
All I would say is

it's an excellent way to prepare for birth - it opens up the body
you meet other pregnant women
you may learn about sounds/breathing
make sure the teacher KNOWS/IS TRAINED into AN yoga.... it is quite different from "normal" yoga and I know several people who teach AN yoga without qualification!

arabella2 · 01/08/2003 23:04

I did pregnancy yoga when I was pregnant with ds and I'm sure it helped me fall naturally into certain positions during labour. It was also soothing and relaxing but not designed to strengthen muscles really, more to stretch and relax the body and give you some relief from your bump.

winnie1 · 01/08/2003 23:07

Ghosty,
I did it and loved it. But I do enjoy yoga anyway. Can't add to the excellent advice given by pupuce but really, really recommend it.

Pimpernel · 02/08/2003 07:21

Ghosty, I did antenatal yoga and thought it was great. My class also included some massage, some general relaxation, and plenty of baby chat, and I really felt that it was 'me' time, since although I always meant to do lots of relaxation etc, I didn't get around to it as often as I meant to. Everyone brought their baby back to visit the class too, which was lovely. For several months after dd's birth, I really missed going to the class - I felt quite a strong bond with everyone. And I made a friend who I now see a lot of.

Like pupuce says, make sure your teacher is trained for pregnancy yoga.

pupuce · 02/08/2003 13:51

Pimpernell - that's excellent - that's exactly what happens in my class... mums come back with baby and some will do post/baby yoga too. And once I coudl not teach they all went swimming together !

We do massage and loads of relaxation and sometimes I have to stop the mum from chatting

And best of all it's 2 hours for YOU AND BABY (to enjoy/relax in your pregnancy) and no one else... important when you already have a toddler.

SarahBee · 05/08/2003 15:28

Hi Ghosty, I have been taking class since about 16 weeks and think it's been great. Haven't actually been through the labour bit yet (due on 11th) but do feel the yoga/breathing practice and exposure to lots of mums to be and hearing their stories afterwards has made me calmer in approach to birth than some of my other pregnant friends seem to be. I wouldn't say that I feel I've exercised at the end of a class but I have stayed well and flexible without backache etc. And definitely more relaxed at the end of the class. Can't stress enough to find a teacher that is qualified, and one with a few years experience can be a wealth of knowledge for you.

Manfwood · 05/08/2003 16:06

Definitely recommend it and agree with Pimpernel about the 'me' time. Although didnt have any other children at home was nice to do something for me and the baby. Obviously depends on the individual teacher but ours was very experienced in all areas and we always had nice chats so learnt alot from her and other mums. I'm sure it helped with the breathing in labour as well - DH said he didnt know i had that much breathe in me! Would do it again next time - if there is one.

oscarsmum · 05/08/2003 16:44

I'm sure that my doing antenatal yoga, together with a careful application of sweet almond oil, meant I didn't need stitches despite having a (mobile) epidural, so I can't recommend it highly enough

ThomCat · 05/08/2003 17:58

I did Active Birth classes and they were great. Very gentle yoga like exercises and lots of deep breathing. Lots of it about trying to get baby into the ideal position and just gently preparing your body for birth.
2 friends of mine did it 2 and none of us had any pain relief and quick, easy births - linked, dunno, but I'd go again just in case!!!!!!!!

pupuce · 06/08/2003 12:10

I have just had 3 babies born from mums in my class - all 3 without ANY pain relief (inclduing no g&a).... they said their breathing worked really well .... 2 used the birth ball a lot - which I show in my class... 1 had a water birth (OK water is for pain relief ) - the other 2 wanted to use water but labours were to quick for one and baby's heart was hard to pick up in other.
They will now coming back for postnatal classes !

I am really pleased that these mums - who came every week - have had easy and satisfying births ! I do think AN yoga classes with discussion on birth (a bit) really help women to have good births.... cheaper than a doula

katierocket · 06/08/2003 12:19

you know when i was pg I searched for weeks and weeks to find an AN yoga teacher in my area (manchester) - nearest one was Preston! really frustrating as I was keen to do it and had heard lots of good reports.

ThomCat · 06/08/2003 12:34

Ghosty - go for it, reading this the amount of women I've known and have now heard of that did AN yoga and had births where they didn't need pain relief - it's worth giving it a go just incase. Of course there are no guarantees but go, even if it helps a bit during the labour it's a lovely way to spend a couple of hours each week, real you and baby time in a normally hetic schedule.
Like I said and my 2 friends who did it - none of us had so much as a sniff on the gas and air, one of the girls took a paracetamol, that was it! i didn't tear either and that was def cos I panted and didn't push even a bit once the head was out. Always preferable not to tear aye!!

webmum · 06/08/2003 23:27

hi ghosty

nothing much to add, but I did it too and it was great!
I did use gasand air though (and asked for an epi, but it was too late, luckily), but had a good labour, more than anything I felt in control all teh time, and I think this was tahnks to the Yoga classes.

I recommended the place where I went to another friend who loved it just as me!!

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