Exercise/Birthing Ball

I was talking to a new mom one day a couple of years ago and our conversation went like this;

Expectant Mom: "I was in labour and the midwife came into me with a big ball and do you know where I told her to go with her bloody ball!!!"

Me: "Really"

And we both had a good laugh!

This always stayed with me and I go to great lengths to tell expectant mothers the benefits of the birthing ball and how you can get the most  from it.

The birthing ball is beneficial in the later stages of pregnancy as something else to sit on instead of the sofa which can be difficult to get out of  and quite uncomfortable after a while and (we've all been there!)

In labour it is good for a resting position, you can rotate your hips and eases the pain of contraction, moving gently from side to side.

In labour you can stay on the birthing ball until you are ready to give birth and it really can be a saving grace before your new bundle of joy arrives :0))

So with a little guidance that lady might have had a different opinion of the "bloody"  ball!!

Pregancy Yoga - Breathing

Breathing
When you are expecting one of the first things you should focus on is breathing, in through the nose and right into the belly opening up the diaphragm and then out through the mouth in a long exhalation.

I the labour this will take the focus away from the pain with out trying to escape the labour! Being in control

Closing eyes and shutting off the rest of the world each time you have a contraction.

This can be achieved through practice and practising pregnancy yoga where you will learn how to relax from head to toe and use visialization techniques

Breathing techniques like exhaling "aahh" can make you aware of your body relaxing and letting go!