Physical and Psychological Benefits of Yoga in Pregnancy

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Physical and Psychological Benefits of Yoga in Pregnancy

Physical exercise during pregnancy can be daunting. However, research has proved that 30-minutes of exercise a day has numerous benefits for both mother and baby. Not only does it prepare your body for the baby to come but also furthers overall well-being. Happy mothers make happy babies.

When it comes to being physically active in your prenatal routine, it is important to take extra care to accommodate the needs of the baby growing inside you. Yoga has been proven to be beneficial for pregnant women. The only adverse health outcome that has been reported is uterine contractions, which can be monitored with a modified approach and appropriate activity reduction. A golden rule to keep in mind is to always listen to your body and stop immediately if you are experiencing any type of discomfort. All postures should be regularly adjusted as per the size of your baby bump. Avoid yoga that emphasize on physically demanding, strength bases or heated practices for the safety of both mother and foetus. The benefits of yoga during pregnancy far outweigh the risks and with the right consultation, you can design a routine for yourself that suits your pregnant body and your baby’s needs.

Some Benefits of Yoga

  • Improved foetal and maternal harmony: Yoga reduces inflammatory markers, decreases heart rate, improves prenatal and post-partum fitness variables.
  • Helps manage stress and reduce levels of the hormone cortisol and other associated symptoms that accompany pregnancy, such as oedema, gestational hypertension or diabetes, mood instability, musculoskeletal discomfort, aches, and weight gain.
  • Breathing exercises or deep relaxation techniques which improve both foetal heart rate and foetal movement.
  • Yoga helps calm the mind and body.
  • Mediation and self-soothing techniques help manage various physical, emotional, mental, and pain states that arise through the stages of pregnancy and labour.
  • Improved psychological functioning results in better interpersonal relationships.

Considering these physical and psycho-emotional aspects of pregnancy Yoga not only prepares your body for birth but also promotes self-confidence, self-efficacy, and coping ability; aspects that are important for a positive labour experience.
To reap the maximum benefits of prenatal yoga, make sure to join a comprehensive yoga program. Fernandez Hospital’s online prenatal yoga classes help you build both physical and emotional strength and benefit through pregnancy, labour, and birth outcomes. To register for our online yoga classes, please call: +91 8008570465

References

Curtis, K., Weinrib, A., & Katz, J. (2012). Systematic review of yoga for pregnant women: current status and future directions. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2012, 715942. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/715942

 

 

Prematurity: The magic of skin-to-skin contact / Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)

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Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) or skin-to-skin contact are some common phrases you might come across during your childbirth. While it’s easy to guess what it means, why does it matter so much for your baby?

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) was first introduced in the 1970s, to promote bonding, early breastfeeding and warm care in low birth weight babies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for the routine care of newborns weighing 2000 grams or less at their birth.

As weight gain plays an important role in your premature baby, thermal protection of your baby is also a measure to be taken. Your newborn baby is prone to lose more heat easily especially when s/he is premature.

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Prematurity: Where every ounce is worth its weight in gold

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a premature baby is a baby born before 37 weeks completion of pregnancy. In the world, we have approximately 15 million babies who are born prematurely every year.

Based on the gestational age there are sub-categories of prematurity:

A late premature baby is one who is born between 34-36 weeks of pregnancy. Most of the times, these babies do not require any intensive care. But there are three other groups of premature babies who need a lot of special care.

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Welcome your little one to this world with confidence

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There is a wealth of information on how to maintain a healthy pregnancy. But, for many first-time mothers, the act of childbirth remains a mystery. Have you ever thought of attending a childbirth class?

A childbirth class can give you information on the entire birthing process and prepare you for your childbirth.

Why you should opt for a childbirth class?

The main goal of a childbirth class is to provide you with information to prepare for childbirth, help you make informed decisions and minimize your fears.

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Dr. Lourdes C. Fernandez Birthing Suite

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Fernandez Foundation is committed to taking forward its legacy of leadership in healthcare through excellence and compassionate service, to ensure that every mother and newborn receive high-quality, respectful and appropriate care.

Every pregnancy is special and for every expectant mother, childbirth is a crucial phase. Keeping this in mind, Fernandez Hospital has introduced individual birthing suites where expectant mothers can have pleasant birthing experiences.

A unique birthing suite

The new Dr. Lourdes C. Fernandez Birthing Suite is located at Fernandez Hospital, Bogulkunta, Hyderabad which was inaugurated on 9th June 2019. It’s a first-of-its-kind birthing suite in India, marking an important milestone in our 70-year journey, creating a new pathway of care.

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Commonly Cited Myths of Water-Birth

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Water-birth is becoming an increasingly popular birthing option. There are, of course, many safety questions that might bother you. From concerns about infection to worries about your baby drowning or ingesting water, you could hear many myths about water-birthing. But you shouldn’t worry as long as you have the right guidance from trained professionals who will care for you.

It’s safe for you and your little one to labour in water if you’re healthy and if your pregnancy is going well. However, there isn’t enough evidence yet to say whether giving birth in water is safer as compared to giving birth out of the water.

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Experiencing Natural Birth in Water

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You might be aware that your little one is floating for nine months in your womb. How about welcoming your little one in the same soothing environment? Yes, it’s possible!

Water-birthing is a safe and natural option in which you can birth your baby in a warm birthing tub. It’s a wonderful experience as it is less stressful for you and is very gentle for your baby. Your baby makes its way from a water-filled womb into a similar environment.

If you’re interested in a water-birth, it’s best to talk to your midwife or inform your obstetrician to meet the midwifery team to discuss this option. Selecting water-birth is an informed choice that the mother makes. But, the expectant mother has to be in optimal health before choosing water-birth.

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How Eating Habits During Pregnancy Can Affect 3 Generations

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After conceiving, having a balanced diet and following a healthy lifestyle is vital for you and your little one. While you’re pregnant, your body is just not your own – it has your baby attached and dependent on it as well.

Healthy eating during pregnancy is important for your baby’s development and growth. You must have heard that maintaining a healthy and balanced diet throughout pregnancy is beneficial. But have you thought why and how is it important?

What do the recent studies suggest?

New research suggests that your eating habits during pregnancy affect not only your baby but also your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Medical professionals believe that maternal diet plays an important role in your baby’s development.

One of the unique aspects of the research was to find how a mother’s eating habits can have an impact on her baby even before conceiving.

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Important Nutrients During Pregnancy

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Now that you’re pregnant, you need a lot of essential nutrients for you and your growing baby. It can be confusing for you to keep a track of which ones are the most important and how to incorporate them in your daily diet.

There’s no magic formula for a nutritious pregnancy diet. In fact, during pregnancy, the basic principles of eating healthy remain the same – a balanced diet with whole grains, fruits and vegetables, good amount of proteins and healthy fats and make sure you even drink plenty of water.

However, there are a few nutrients that deserve special attention in your pregnancy diet. Here are a few that top the list:

Folic acid (Vitamin B9)

Folic acid is a pregnancy superhero! Right from the start, during the early development of your little one, and throughout your pregnancy folic acid is beneficial.

Folic acid is crucial in helping to prevent neural tube defects, serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. You may be recommended to take approximately 500 micrograms of folic acid per day.

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Steps to prevent infections during pregnancy

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Infections during pregnancy can be harmful to both you and your baby. Timely preventive measures help improve chances of having a healthy baby.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent certain infections:

  1. Maintain good hygiene –

Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly to protect yourself and your baby. Regularly washing your hands, especially before and after any activity, is one of the best ways to eliminate germs, avoid getting sick and prevent infections. In case soap or running water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.

  1. Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk and products made from it –

Avoid consuming soft cheeses unless they have labels that say they are pasteurized. Unpasteurized products contain harmful bacteria that can cause infections during pregnancy. Make sure you read the food labels before you buy any product.

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