7 exercises for natural childbirth and opening of the cervix

Which exercise is useful and suitable for natural childbirth? If you are pregnant and intend to give birth in a natural way, you should take the necessary care and measures for an easier and better delivery.

Maybe you think you are not ready for a natural birth yet. Maybe you feel that your body is not as strong as it should be and you no longer have the energy of the first days of pregnancy. No need to worry. Several ways, including exercise for natural childbirth, can help you a lot. Join us to teach the best exercise to open the cervix.

What exercises should we do to prepare for natural childbirth during pregnancy?

If you don’t have a specific physical problem and you used to exercise before pregnancy, you can usually continue your exercise during pregnancy. For example, if you’ve always been a swimmer or tennis player, you can still swim or play tennis! Exercising at this time helps to spend the pregnancy period with more comfort and, of course, preparation for a natural birth.

If you have never exercised before, you can still start exercising. Consult your doctor before exercising and choose activities that you enjoy. Start your exercise slowly and, with the advice of your doctor, gradually increase its amount and pressure; To make pregnancy enjoyable for you and be ready for the little angel’s birthday! In general, the best exercise options for natural childbirth can be the following.

walking

The first and most common exercise for natural childbirth is walking. Brisk (or even slow) walking is a useful, fun, and easy aerobic exercise that doesn’t stress your joints and muscles. If you are new to exercise, walking is a good place to start.

Swimming and water activities

Another natural childbirth exercise is definitely swimming. When you are in the water, the weight on the joints is less, and by moving in the water, you can experience good aerobics, at the same time, this exercise does not put pressure on the joints. If you have back pain while doing other activities, try swimming.

Yoga and Pilates classes

Tell your yoga or pilates instructor that you are pregnant. The coach will specify all the illegal exercises for you. Yoga, especially in the last months, helps you to be flexible and calm and prepares your body and soul for the day of delivery.

Pilates also focuses on strengthening the central muscles of the body and improving posture. A strong midsection can make many of the pains and situations of childbirth easier for you. These two exercises can be very useful for easy natural childbirth.

Stationary bicycle

A stationary bike is definitely safer than regular cycling during pregnancy. You are much less likely to fall off a stationary bike, even if you have a big belly. Also, the conditions are under your control, you adjust the intensity of training or resistance.

Low intensity aerobics

Low-intensity aerobics classes designed for pregnant women can be an enjoyable way to be physically active and build and maintain physical fitness. In these classes, they practice safe and effective movements that improve fitness without too much pressure.

Strength training

Strength training can help you build muscle and strengthen your bones. Strong muscles will help your physical needs during pregnancy and of course your ability and readiness on the day of delivery. As long as the weights are not too heavy, it is safe to exercise with weights. You should consult your doctor about strength training.

Stretching and flexibility exercises

Gentle stretching exercises as an exercise for natural childbirth can improve your flexibility and reduce muscle cramps common during pregnancy. Stretching can also help your posture and overall comfort.

Kegel exercises

Kegel exercise can be effective and useful for natural childbirth. Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can help prevent urinary incontinence and support the pelvic area during pregnancy, easier delivery, and better postpartum recovery.

Breathing exercises

Deep breathing exercises, such as yoga and meditation, can help reduce stress and anxiety during pregnancy. These exercises and the effect they have on you are important for your peace and confidence.

Exercises to prepare for natural childbirth

In general, it is necessary to have enough mobility and exercise for an easier delivery. As a rule, you are looking for photos and videos of sports during the last month of pregnancy for natural childbirth. Therefore, in this section, we introduce and teach you the best exercises to open the cervix naturally.

1. Quadruped deep diaphragmatic breathing

This exercise is a very good option for natural childbirth. Because the diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation exercises of the mid-body muscles in this exercise help to soften your cervix and pelvic floor muscles.

How to move

n
1. While on all fours with your shoulders resting on your wrists and knees just below your hips, start breathing in and out through your nose;
2. As you lengthen each breath as much as possible, your breaths should be very deep and belly;
3. As you inhale, let your chest rise along with your belly;
4. At the same time, try to do yoga cat pose consciously with each new breath; That is, first raise your waist and contract your pelvis.
5. Then, while exhaling, reverse the movement, the back should be hollow and keep your body light and relaxed.
6. Nothing should feel tight and no muscles should be actively engaged.
7. The focus here is on your breath, which is going to get longer.

n

2. Stretching the waist, arms and legs

How to move

n
1. on all fours while your shoulders are along your wrists and your knees are just below your hips;
2. Start doing the prostration movement;
3. Pull your back fully and then, releasing the breath, return to the four-legged position.

n

3. Standing squat

This exercise for natural childbirth can help open the pelvis and signal the body that it is time to prepare for birth. Sitting in a deep squat (under the supervision of a midwife, of course) can also be very helpful during labor.

How to move

n
1. Open your legs as far as the width of the hips and the toes are facing the outside of the body;
2. Go down a little and pull your hips down and back and get into a squat position;
3. Now slowly push your heels up to return to the starting position, keeping your knees bent the whole time;
4. Once you feel comfortable with this movement, try sitting at the lowest point of your squat for 15 to 30 seconds;
5. While in this position, practice diaphragmatic breathing to focus on your core.

n

4. . deep squat

How to move

n
1. Stand in a wide squat position;
2. Your legs should be wider than shoulder and hip width;
3. Get down and move your hips down and back and get into a deep squat (or squat);
4. If you are not comfortable, it is okay to sit and push a few times to get used to the position.
5. Once you feel comfortable with this exercise for natural childbirth, try sitting in this position for 15 to 30 seconds.
6. In this position, perform diaphragmatic breathing and focus on your relaxation.

n

5. Hip rotation on the ball

Sitting and moving the pelvis on the birthing ball can help prepare the body for the arrival of the baby and prepare the body for birth. This exercise for natural childbirth can be done with any sports ball. Pay attention that all these movements must be done in the delivery room under the supervision of a midwife.

How to move

n
1. Sit on the ball and find your comfortable and stable position;
2. Start by moving and rotating your hips in an imaginary circular motion;
3. Start in one direction and then draw the same circle in the opposite direction;
4. Control your breathing at the same time.

n

6. Happy baby moves and stretches the spine

How to move

n
1. Place one or two soft pillows under your back and shoulders so that you don’t feel the stiffness of the ground;
2. Lie on your back (only if you are able to lie down) and, with your legs lifted and spread, open into a happy child’s yoga pose;
3. Lie on your feet, ankles, or calves (wherever feels more comfortable) and let your body get used to the position. Take deep breaths at the same time.

n

7. Squat sitting on a yoga brick

This movement is similar to movement number 4, except that you sit on a yoga brick.

How to move

n
1. Start with a deep squat with your legs wide apart, hips down, chest up and both feet firmly on the floor;
2. Bring your hands to the center of your chest and gently push your elbows into your knees to create resistance;
3. Breathe with your diaphragm and focus on stretching and breathing and relaxing.

n

How many weeks should I start exercising for natural childbirth?

Exercise can be very useful for natural childbirth during pregnancy, but the most important thing is that You should consult your doctor and according to your condition, exercise. The starting time and type of exercise may vary based on your condition. The general rule of starting exercise during pregnancy is as follows:

n
• If you used to exercise: If your pregnancy is normal, you can usually do your sports activities from the beginning. We recommend that you consult your doctor about the intensity and duration of exercise.

n

n
• If you didn’t exercise before: If you plan to start exercising for the first time during pregnancy, be sure to visit your doctor and ask his opinion. He or she can provide recommendations based on your situation and his or her expert suggestions. In this case, the doctor will inform you when to start exercising. Usually, at the end of the first trimester, it is time to start light exercise.

n

Tips for exercise during pregnancy

When exercising, drink plenty of water and pay attention to your body and how you feel. If you have any of these symptoms, stop exercising and call your doctor:

n
• Bleeding or leakage of fluid from the vagina
• Chest pain, rapid heart rate, or difficulty breathing
• Feeling dizzy or weak and headache

n

final word

Exercising and being active during pregnancy is necessary. The last days of pregnancy are the time when you should prepare more than before to give birth; Especially when the birth is supposed to be done naturally. In this article, we taught the best exercise for easy natural childbirth.

Source: marchofdimes – purewow

n n