The most predictable thing about childbirth is its total unpredictability. -Penny Simkin
While birth is so unpredictable what we do to prepare for that journey can impact how we experience the ride. At Full Circle yoga KC, our prenatal yoga classes create a space to dive into practical tools that can be used to cope during pregnancy and all stages of labor and birth. Most agree that yoga relaxes us, however how do we relax when we are experiencing the pain of labor and pushing new life into the world? Influencing the journey of birth through physical and mental preparation is one of the major benefits of prenatal yoga classes.
Prenatal yoga creates a relaxing environment for Mamas to step into a deep state of relaxation and deeply connect with baby. Additionally, prenatal yoga creates opportunities for Mamas to experience challenging poses and practicing relaxation techniques that can be used during labor. At the beginning and end of class we practice passive relaxation techniques such as bringing attention to the body and allowing the body to relax and melt into earth paying particular attention to releasing tension in stress points and relaxing through the facial muscles, especially the jaw. These simple relaxation techniques are tools for Mamas to use between contractions. These techniques are often most useful during prelabor and early labor.
When contractions become more intense and Mama is not able to distract herself active relaxation techniques become useful. Active relaxation techniques are practiced in class when we sway and move and rock into poses and “Ahhh” on exhales. When practiced over and over again these relaxation techniques become organic rituals for Mamas when labor intensifies. Working the practice to a level of intensity where Mamas can visualize and feel the sensation of discomfort offers opportunities to come into a ritual and rhythm that speaks to them.
As the birth journey progresses Mamas will find the need to dip into their bag of tricks and find another practiced ritual. For some Mamas that ritual is visualizing their favorite flower blooming, the color, the size, the smell, for others maybe visualizing the body opening and softening. Yet, others don’t find visualization helpful and look to mantras or feeling the beat to the rhythm of the music, or staring into her partner’s face. Becoming familiar with the body and noticing what it feels like to turn inward and letting go of control and thinking gives Mamas the opportunity to feel this sensation before stepping into the unknown journey of birth. If a Mama can get to this state it can be incredibly powerful as labor peaks. Within these rituals, prenatal yoga class helps to develop rhythm which can be the key to riding out the waves of contractions and pushing a baby into the world.
Rituals can be both internal and external and often times Mamas use both. Practicing both of these rituals in prenatal yoga and partner prenatal yoga offers the opportunity to try out techniques before the birth journey. Internal rituals include those mentioned above such as closing eyes, rocking, moaning, tapping, or swaying during contractions. Active rituals include keeping eyes open and focused and look to their support system to help them with these rituals. These practices give mental activity to take away from the pain so Mama can cope rather than spiral into the sensation of pain.
Birth partners play such an important role in rituals and can influence how a mother experiences her birth. Whether it be siting mindfully next to Mama or being active in swaying or looking into her face are beautiful ways to be active in the birth process. If a Mama is using internal rituals, a partner might hold her hand and breath with her not disturbing her during contractions. When a partner notices Mama beginning to struggle or lose her rhythm, partner can become active in helping reset the ritual. Ways that a partner can be active are maintaining eye contact, talking through a contraction and telling Mama “you’re doing it, let this part of your body relax” while placing hands on shoulders, or maybe pressing firmly on her hips for counter pressure.
When Mama feels the urge to push, often times she becomes more alert and aware of her surroundings coming out of the instinctual state and feeling a gust of powerful energy to push.
Pregnancy, labor, and delivery, is a period of time in a woman’s life that they will remember forever. Full Circle Yoga KC strives to support the journey and rite of passage through prenatal yoga classes giving Mamas time to reflect, dig deeper into influencing their own birth, and creating a loving and supportive community for women, partners, babies, and families.
Full Circle Yoga KC is family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Baby Yoga, Little Movers Yoga, Little Kids Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga, Family Yoga and more.
