Daily Practice During Pregnancy
Restore balance lengthen muscles ease pelvic pain, and increase the range of motion in your pregnant body to make space for the baby’s best birth position. And start preparing your mind and body for a calm and confident birth.
-- Move for energy
Move often. Taking a walk with short strides a couple of times a day may create more comfort for you and your baby, improve digestion and elimination, or increase energy.
-- Stretch for comfort
Stretching out every day is good for circulation, metabolism, and comfort. Try these exercises! Each day, release tight muscles from your feet up and your head down. As above so below, relax your jaw, loosen your neck and open your shoulders.
-- Before you start!
These exercises are a great addition to the class and can be done by all healthy women.
Consult your health provider before starting these or any exercise activities.
CHEST & NECK STRETCH
Open the chest and add a gentle neck stretch. Breath in deep and exhale deep too.
If you're holding tension in the neck and jaw you can also try going for a brisk walk to help release.
WING OF A BIRD
Move your arms and shoulders in many directions throughout the day.
Use this flowing arm routine to release the shoulders and balance the muscles around your baby to create space. Remember to breathe with the movement.
TABLE TOP STRETCH
Open up the shoulders, stretch back muscles and create space for baby. You can sway from side to side if it feels comfortable to do so.
Do not overextend your neck keep your ears level with your arms.
STANDING LUNGE
Free the sacrum, lengthen hamstrings and psoas with this forward lunge. Repeat 6 times on each leg.
This will release tension and help prepare muscles for birth.
HAMSTRING STRETCH
If you're sitting during the day this hamstring stretch will keep your back happy.
Keep chest upright, hold the stretch 30 to 60 seconds whilst breathing deeply to release tension.
SCIATIC COMFORT
This stretch will help create comfort with the sciatic nerve keep your back straight and fold forward, hold the position for 30 to 60 seconds whilst breathing.
Repeat on the other leg.
CROSS LEG STRETCH
Another great stretch for the sciatic nerve and to release tension in the lower back.
Keep back straight and lean slightly forward to increase the stretch. Breath in deep and exhale deeply.
SQUAT
A deep squat is strengthening and your colon and your perineum will appreciate it! Come up into your toes then go down into your squat remember to breathe.
Be mindful of your abilities when you squat. Brace yourself on a trusted surface. Take responsibility for your ability and be safe.
Do 5 daily for strength and stamina.
Warning: Do not do this if you have a low lying placenta.
PELVIC TILT & SQUEEZE
A pelvic tilt is excellent when the lower back is tired or achy, or the hips are stiff.
Start with your hands under your shoulders, knees under your hips. Knees are not touching.
Focus on your lower back. Lift your lower back. Flatten your back again. Use up breath, in as you come up and out as you stretch.
Add your squeezes for a healthier pelvic floor and abdominals.
Do 20 daily for comfort without squeezes and 10 daily with squeezes.
BOTTOMS UP
Bottom-up helps the ligaments relax, creating space for baby. Helps with insomnia and will help give you a good nights sleep.
Can help move a low lying placenta.
When in position, use your up-breath.
Do this daily in the evening.
Warning: do not do this if you have high blood pressure or very, very low blood pressure. If you feel dizzy at any time, do not do this.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR PARTNER?
If you’re looking for a course that empowers you and your birthing partner, equipping you with proven tools for a smoother, more controlled childbirth, then a hypnobirthing course may be for you.
Find out more and join a course https://www.joyfulbodybirth.com/birth-preparation-hypnobirthing/