CAN I DO YOGA WITH MY BUMP?

Q:I’ve heard that yoga is very good for women during pregnancy, but I’ve never been very active or flexible. I’m only six weeks pregnant now. Is it a good idea to start yoga?

A:Yoga during pregnancy has been proven to deliver unique benefits to both mother and child. Special pregnancy yoga classes are held from 14 weeks (the beginning of the second trimester) as starting a new activity in the first trimester can still pose risks to the developing embryo, so this is not recommended, although you can continue with very gentle classes until then if you are familiar with exercise or yoga and if your midwife or doctor advises you accordingly. Once you start pregnancy yoga, which is different to regular yoga in that some poses are modified for a growing bump and others are excluded altogether, you will see that learning deeper breathing techniques will benefit your unborn baby and will help you to develop greater control of the breath during labour. By practising different postures you will develop strength, flexibility and help alleviate common pregnancy stresses and pains in your body. It is recommended that you practise regularly throughout your pregnancy to derive the most benefit and prepare yourself physically as well as mentally, regardless of whether you are planning a vaginal birth or caesarean section. Yoga can also assist moms dealing with certain medical conditions brought on by pregnancy, but, as always, you should only do this on the advice of your midwife or medical practitioner.