Is it safe to do breathwork at 6 weeks’ pregnant?

[Emmylou688]

Hi, I’m just after a bit of advice please. I have been doing breathwork on and off for years, along with yoga, and it helps to manage my anxiety.

i am pregnant with my first, almost 7 weeks now, and I still like to do yoga every morning, I practice safely and don’t push it too much. However this morning I also did a chanting meditation for 15 minutes lying down, inhaling and exhaling deeply, and afterwards I felt very dizzy and lightheaded. i didn’t hold my breath for longer than 4/5 seconds at any inhale or exhale but now after some googling, I’m worried I’ve harmed my baby. Am I being silly or is breath work dangerous?!

Not advisable to be holding your breath, no. Not sure "dangerous" is the right word.
Deep breathing is excellent.

It’s not dangerous - and there is very little you could do to harm your foetus. But I wouldn’t do anything that makes you light headed. I’ve been doing yoga throughout pregnancy including breath work (at pregnancy yoga classes). And honestly - don’t google anything

It’s not dangerous - and there is very little you could do to harm your foetus. But I wouldn’t do anything that makes you light headed. I’ve been doing yoga throughout pregnancy including breath work (at pregnancy yoga classes). And honestly - don’t google anything

depends what you're thinking of doing I guess. I would approach anything with extreme caution and do your thorough research first, consulting expert if necessary.

No breath work will be good for you during your pregnancy and especially at birth

It's absolutely fine. Doing breathing exercises won't cause any problems and in fact will be good preparation for when you give birth. The NHS website has good advice on exercise in pregnancy. Basically though it's fine to carry on whatever usual activity you do, as long as you're not doing something with a high risk of falling, not completely exhausting yourself and not lying flat on your back for long periods (although that applies more in later stages when you have a big bump!) Hope that helps

I felt lightheaded a lot during early pregnancy, I think it’s quite common. It might not have been related to the breathing at all, it might have just been from sitting up after lying down.
Don’t worry.

Thank you so much for your replies. They all helped a lot and put my mind at ease. it’s also good to hear other experiences too, of pregnancy and yoga and breath work.

Did you feel light headed when still lying down, or when you got up? You may need to take a bit more time to come out of the session and to gradual return to normal state and get up slower than usual.

I've been carrying on with yoga and some breath work but my instructors advise not holding breath if pregnant. I still do plenty of deep breathing and have found it really helpful with the nausea.