728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Exercise in Pregnancy › Good Posture While Expecting

Good Posture While Expecting

The Straight Facts
on Good Posture During Pregnancy

By Laura Cone

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

  • Avoid standing too long. If you must remain upright for an extended period of time, rest one foot on a low stool and then switch feet.
  • Don't lock your knees, which can put strain on your lower back. Keep your knees soft when standing.
  • Be a puppet by imagining a string attached to the top of your head and someone pulling you up to ensure an upright posture.
  • Lie on your side when sleeping. Side lying takes stress off your lower back and keeps the blood flowing to the placenta.
  • Put a pillow between your legs to support your weight while sleeping.
  • Try a pregnancy massage.
  • Have a pregnancy adjustment from a trained chiropractor.
  • Try yoga postures but not when you are alone. Join a yoga class geared specifically for pregnant women, as some poses may be dangerous. Consult your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.
    • Become a Yoga Mama
    Karen Strobel, the general manager of the Bonnycastle Studio Yoga East Inc. in Louisville, Ky., says pregnant women often enjoy gentle yoga prenatal classes. "Yoga is very important to posture alignment for the whole population and that does not change with pregnancy," she says.

    Strobel says as women gain weight with their pregnancy, they need to adjust how they stand. She recommends a classic posture pose such as the mountain pose, during which a person stands firmly on both feet and extends and lengthens their spine. "A lot of people say yoga really helps them in labor and delivery – helps them with focus, breathing and little things to make them more comfortable," she says. "Yoga really helps strengthen the body, too, so you have a stronger and more supple body when you go into the labor and delivery process."


    Pages:  1  2  3  4  

    Want to see more?

    Comments

    There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

    Post As:
    Enter your comment below:
    Title
    Comment Text
    CAPTCHA
    Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.