Yoga - panicking!

[NauseousNancy]

Hello all,

I bought a pregnancy yoga DVD, which I done tonight. It was very gentle, mainly just stretching.

However I've just read the booklet that came with it, and it says yoga shouldn't be practised before 14 weeks.

The baby will be ok, right? I'm getting myself a bit worked up which I logically know is irrational!

I practiced yoga before pregnancy and I've kept doing it (although not consistently - I've been so tired!) all through. Some people say you shouldn't do jump backs/inversions in early pregnancy but seeing as you can work out (and running is definitely harder and more jarring than most yoga) I can't see it being a problem. Probably more people covering themselves than anything to worry about.

Thanks for responding!

I don't know all the lingo, but it was basically reaching forward, to the sides etc so hopefully nothing too strenuous!

It is extraordinarily difficult for a pregnant woman to do anything to harm a foetus, particularly in the first trimester. Sadly, the first trimester is when the greatest risk of miscarriage occurs and there is close to zero control over factors that may cause this. Most yoga classes however advise not joining until after the first trimester purely so you don't (probably incorrectly) connect any miscarriage with practicing yoga. It is pure liability limiting and I have never seen a shred of evidence to support any link, however implausible, between standard yoga and pregnancy loss.

By all means, make your own mind up on whether or not to continue before 14 weeks - even if there is no prospect for harm, the seed of doubt in your mind might make you anxious enough to prefer to avoid it. But please try not to worry that you have done something harmful or wrong.

As the others said it is advisable to not practice during the first trimester. but yoga is a good way for pregnant ladies to keep fit and can give great mental comfort. Do the asanas carefully with proper guidance.

I expect partly it's because there's more relaxin (a hormone) in your body during the first tri, which may mean you are more prone to pulling muscles. The baby will be fine, but just listen to your body and don't overdo it, particularly if you are new to yoga.

Thank you all so much for your reassurance, I really appreciate it.

I very much enjoyed it, so will definitely do it again in a few weeks :)

Hi NauseousNancy,
I have loved doing yoga through my pregnancy (currently 27 weeks). If you are going to leave the yoga for a few weeks and want something to do in the meantime, you could do a Pilates DVD which usually allow you to do it from the first trimester. The Caroline Sandry DVDs are great and you can do them in any trimester.

Which yoga DVD did you do?

It was BuddhaBellies i think - I did enjoy it. Thanks for the tip about Pilates - I will have a look :)

I found it so relaxing - so much so I almost fell asleep!!

My midwife told me it was fine to do yoga, just to listen to my body and not over do it :)

Got a friend who's a yoga teacher. She practiced and taught all the way through. No issues. You know how far you can push your body. If in doubt. Try Pilates, I really enjoy that more.