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Pregnancy and Childbirth Current Topics in Pregnancy

Prenatal Yoga - Getting Ready for the Big Day

Summary & Participants

Prenatal yoga does more than keep a woman in shape during pregnancy. It can help prepare her mind and body for the big day.

Medically Reviewed On: August 08, 2008

Webcast Transcript

DEB FLASHENBERG, THE PRENATAL YOGA CENTER: I have yet to have someone's water break. We've had over 3,000 students and I’m waiting for the day someone's water breaks.

ANNOUNCER: Yoga for moms-to-be not only helps bodies. It helps minds.

MOLLY, EXPECTING: It's more than just a physical exercise. It's a, you know, almost a spiritual experience.

JANIS, EXPECTING: This is sort of an hour and a half to sort of really focus about, you know, you and the baby and sort of taking care of yourself and also you know, releasing aches and pains but also sort of preparing.

EDI, EXPECTING: It's a nice opportunity to kind of stop everything and just get into the breath and the moving and then the physical, sleeping better at night.

ANNOUNCER: In a yoga class, there are certain moves expectant mothers should avoid

DEB FLASHENBERG, THE PRENATAL YOGA CENTER: We don't do twists, we don't do inversions, we don't do big backbends or things on the belly. They should never be on their bellies.

ANNOUNCER: It’s important to check with your doctor, but if you get the okay, prenatal yoga can help you prepare for the big day.

MOLLY, EXPECTING: We focus a lot on the things that you're going to do for the day, the birth, you know, things you're going to do mentally, physically, just everything about it.

DEB FLASHENBERG, THE PRENATAL YOGA CENTER: A lot of women have a lot of fear about the pain of labor and hopefully this is going to help them realize it's very natural and their bodies can handle it.

ANNOUNCER: Yoga class is also a great way for moms-to-be to get together

JANIS, EXPECTING: I liked it because of the community and being a first time mom I sort of was looking for someplace where I would sort of feel comfortable.

ANNOUNCER: So give yoga a try! Your baby might like it, too!

JAMIE, EXPECTING: This baby is like crazy active and even in some of the resting poses I can feel, you know, him moving around.

MOLLY, EXPECTING: It has made me have more of a connection with my baby for sure. And I mean it can only be good for the baby to feel the movement and the things that are -- it's sort of an embracing moment I think. You just connect a little bit more.

ANNOUNCER: Thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily!