How prenatal yoga facilitates birthing? (2 min read)

Caitlyn texted me after her natural birth which took place in a course of mere two hours: she said “the yoga classes paid off”.  I of course remember her as she was one who came to me with clear intention of doing prenatal yoga to facilitate birth, to have an easier birth. 

With such an intention, we focused a lot on widening and expanding the pelvic floor by way of external rotation. 

Why? When the hips externally rotate, the ischial tuberosities (sit bones) widen, which expands the pelvic outlet.

And as most muscle in our body, there can be tension holding up in the levator ani, the group of muscles at the bottom of the pelvis that forms the hammock. External rotation of the hips have toning effect on the pelvic floor, making it more resilient and resistant. So in short, external rotation of the hips does help prepare the pelvic floor for the demands of labor, providing the conditions for a smoother and more efficient birthing process.

Here’s three postures to externally rotate the hips that I almost always do:

• Garland Pose (Malasana)
  

• Goddess pose (Utkata Konasana)

• Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose)

What's your intention to come to a prenatal yoga class? Are you ready to leverage yoga to help you achieve your ideal birth?

Discover more: here's a free class for you.