A news reporter and former host of an American cooking show, Lulu Roberts is the author of a cookbook that features recipes from a wide variety of American families. In her free time, Lulu Roberts practices yoga and teaches yoga to pregnant women.
Yoga during pregnancy provides a number of benefits, including relief from common pregnancy issues and strengthening of the muscles that are vital for safe delivery. Some of the common complaints by pregnant women are breathing difficulties, muscle aches, back pain, insomnia, and nausea.
Yoga helps women stretch and tone their muscles, fostering better blood circulation that may relieve muscle aches. Mental centering may help relieve stress and improve sleep.
Yoga also strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, the hip muscles, and abdominal core muscles. These muscle groups are central to a safe and smooth delivery.
Yoga exercises such as backbends and lunges help prepare women for the delivery process. Deep breathing also plays a vital role in delivery because it helps women stay calm and in the moment. This is necessary if a woman wants to experience natural childbirth with minimal pain medication.
