Yoga-Based Birth Skill #1- Movement (Asana)

Article Index

 

INTRODUCTION 

The successful implementation of movement as a Yoga-Based Birth Skill will effect your childbirth experience in a myriad of positive ways and makes a perfect place to start this journey through The Whole Way.

Movement is defined as the act or process of moving, the change of position, the change of location, regardless of its origin, movement is a process that affects change.

During the birth of your child, movement is not only the physiological ability that accomplishes birth—and a highly recommended, safe and easily accessible birth skill—movement is also an instrument of change.

Movement is the very definition of birth, the whole process is designed around the physiological ability of a woman’s body to move and change. Simply put— it is the flexion (movement) of your uterus that physically moves your baby down, out, and born.

Movement is often suggested as a healthy birth practice, it is an essentially harmless and evidence-based birth skill and you already know the basics.

Movements are processes that affect change. In America, the majority of women give birth in a hospital setting, which almost always means, once admitted, being placed in bed and tethered to a variety of medical devices. The hospital’s routine usage of these interventions is seldom if ever evidence-based and this includes continuous electronic fetal monitoring.

If there is no genuine medical need for you to remain flat on your back in bed tethered to machines then DON’T stay there. Doulas, childbirth educators, physiologists, midwives— we all give this advice— but although we can advise you—you are the one that needs to physically and mentally stand up.

If you want something different for your birth experience and if you are to be an instrument of change then you will need to advocate for your rights as a patient to optimal maternity care—and become a part of the Childbirth Movement.

Birth in America will never change if you don’t.

This article will cover the basic physiology of movement in general and specifically during labor and delivery.

We will look at the evidence from literature, childbirth organizations, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Midwife Organizations, evidence based studies, and Cochrane Database systemic reviews.

You will learn how to use movement to facilitate birth, the history of using movement in childbirth, and how to incorporate this skill as part of your healthy pregnancy.

You will learn a little bit of history regarding movement in the practice of Yoga, and how to incorporate Yoga during your pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

This article also begins the discussion of the roles that adrenaline, pain, and fear play during your labor and birth.

Your decision to utilize Movement as a Yoga-Based Labor Management Tool is one that when properly implemented will go a long way towards alleviating unnecessary suffering during your birth experience.

This is your path towards a calm, positive pregnancy and a strong, resilient birth.