It’s not just about dilation—station matters too! Station refers to how low the baby is in the pelvis, and it’s a key factor in knowing when to push. Laboring down and waiting for a lower station can help conserve energy and avoid unnecessary interventions.
Station NOT Dilation! Read More »
When we experience pain—whether it’s from an injury, illness, or labor—our instinct is often to tense up and resist. But what if movement could help us soften into discomfort rather than fight against it?
Relief Through Movement: A Lesson from My Son’s Toothache! Read More »
Prenatal yoga is a wonderful way to strengthen, create mobility and learn coping skills needed for pregnancy and birth. But unless the teacher has a strong, specialized education in prenatal yoga (like the teachers here at PYC!) they may fall victim to some common mistakes.
3 Big Mistakes Yoga Teachers Make with Pregnant Students! Read More »
Navigating the opinionated landscape of breastfeeding can be a daunting task. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure, so let’s break down some of the most common breastfeeding misconceptions.
Most Common Misconceptions About Breastfeeding Read More »
Learn about oxytocin, beta-endorphins and adrenaline, the hormones of labor, and how they may impact your birth!
Understanding The Hormonal Blueprint of Labor Read More »
Not long ago, a student returned to postnatal yoga after giving birth to her first child. I love seeing parents returning with their yummy new babies and hearing about their birth experiences. This one parent, upon telling me her birth story, laughed slightly and said, “I was the poster child for the ‘cascade of interventions.’”
Water Breaking Before Labor: What to Expect and When Induction Becomes Necessary Read More »
Learn how breastfeeding may be impacted by epidurals and how to alleviate the difficulties they may cause.
How Do Epidurals Affect Breastfeeding? Read More »
Discover seven prenatal yoga poses that can help to prepare your pelvis for birth by increasing its mobility and the strength of its supporting muscles.
7 Moves To Prepare Your Pelvis For Birth Read More »
Discover strategies for managing labor pains at night, gain insights into labor patterns, and understand when it’s time to make your way to the hospital.
Navigating Nighttime Labor Pains: What To Do & When To Go To The Hospital Read More »
My heart melted when I read my daughter’s preschool monthly newsletter. The theme this month is “The Power of words.” The lesson, the words you say have impact. “Before you speak, think and be smart. It’s hard to fix a wrinkled heart.” Words can hurt. They can diminish how someone thinks about themselves and be
Words Matter: How Words Can Affect Your Birth Read More »
First published in Well Rounded NY When I was pregnant with my first baby, I worked out until I gave birth and looked like I had just stepped out of a pregnancy magazine. I only gained weight in my belly and my boobs, and I generally felt good. But my rigorous and rather insane fitness
If you’ve met Corinne Low, you’d remember her. She’s got infectious energy, a wealth of sound advice, and an admirable dedication to breastfeeding, i.e. pumping while practicing yoga. She also has “a really interesting motherhood story because although Kai is my first baby, I’ve been a step-parent to Alex for 10 years. So, there are
Mom of the Month: Meet Corinne Low! Read More »
Rhythm. Take a moment to close your eyes and connect with your breath. After you push through your thoughts and surrender to the task of observing your breath, you may start to notice a natural rhythm occurring: the rise of your inhale, the peak of breath, and the exhalation completing the cycle. Then the pattern
Rhythm In Labor; Pain Versus Suffering Read More »
A benchmark given in most childbirth education classes is that active labor starts once the mother has reached 4cm dilation. To go along with that milestone, many care providers advocate that the mother waits until active labor before being admitted to the hospital and receiving pain medication. We know that once the mother has turned
While I was pregnant, I kept my birth choices private. I am a prenatal yoga teacher, labor support doula and Lamaze teacher; I didn’t want my students to feel I disapproved of their birth plans based on the fact that I was preparing for a home birth. How a mother chooses to birth is very
Why I Chose A Home Birth Read More »
Much of the literature and information pertaining to the unfolding of birth is geared towards demystifying and preparing the mother. However, there tends to be less focus on how to prepare the partner for the birth experience and how to be a helpful and vibrant support. If one forgoes hiring a doula, then the partner
Preparing Your PARTNER For Birth! Read More »
Ask someone to explain their vision of a laboring woman and you are likely to hear the hysterical, over dramatized movie portrayal of birth. For many women, labor is nothing like the movies. Labor can be slow and methodical, or fast and furious. But one thing most people will agree upon is it’s intense. The
A few nights ago, I was quietly lying in bed reading when I stumbled upon the article, “More Doulas Can Help Lower the Cost of Childbirth. There’s Just One Problem,” by Elissa Strauss on Slate.com. I was intrigued and excited that an article supporting the usage of a doula was in a main stream magazine.
Defending The Doula Read More »
One of my students recently forwarded me a link to a very pregnant yogini doing extremely advance yoga poses. She asked me my thoughts on this trend. I have to admit, this is something I have been noticing in social media and I am quite upset by the praise these women are getting for not
Is Your Fitness & Yoga Routine Helping or Hindering Your Birth? Read More »
Have you ever stopped to think about the power and ripple effect the words you say to yourself have? Recently I led a class focused on asanas that were purposely uncomfortable. All the poses were safe, but we took long holds- about 5 or so breathes, in strong standing poses and about 1 minute in
The Language of Labor and Birth Read More »
Movies, TV and friend’s stories often portray birth as a painful and arduous experience. From the repetition of these external influences, it is understandable how there is little space left to believe that birth is not necessarily painful. Could this preconceived idea of the pain of labor actually cause MORE pain? Imagine if all you
NPR: Pain Really Is All In Your Head And Emotion Controls Intensity Read More »
My first labor with my son, Shay, was an epic 42 hrs. That is 42 hrs from first recognizing there was a pattern to the contractions to my baby being born. I was completely taken back and slightly traumatized both physically and mentally by the experience. Upon finding out I was pregnant again with our
Guest Blogger Donna Takeuchi, PYC Prenatal instructor & mom, encourages students to explore and discover both on and off the mat. So much of what we do as humans is habitual. We do something a certain way because that is how we have always done it and most of the time we aren’t fully conscious
Explore and Discover in Your Prenatal Practice Read More »
Why is it that whenever I see a movie where a woman is in labor, the people taking care of the woman have her sit down, lie down or put her in a wheel chair? It’s as if having the laboring mother walk or move on her own is a bad idea that could cause
How Movement Can Help You In Labor Read More »
When I teach my Prenatal yoga classes, I like to stress the importance of creating what I like to call the tool kit for labor and delivery. This is a collection of reliable, proven pain management techniques the laboring mother can call upon to use as she needs. Not too long ago, I was explaining
Building Your “Tool Kit” for Labor Read More »
After a decade of an increasing rate of infants born via Cesarean section, the numbers are now leveling off according to National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1). This is exciting information for expectant parents who aim to have a vaginal birth. This decrease is partly due
5 Ways to Help Avoid a Cesarean Read More »
Among the many pain management tools one can use for labor, the birth ball is definitely a must have! The ball is extremely versatile, inexpensive and effective! Benefits of the Ball Most women instinctively start to sway or rock when seated or leaning against the ball. This movement helps create a natural rhythm which encourages
Using the Birth Ball In Labor Read More »
In the movies and on TV, laboring women are often depicted as panting, sweaty and sucking on ice chips. Luckily, that image can finally change! After years of food and fluid intake being restricted for women in labor, there has been a closer scientific look at this practice and the ban has been (somewhat) lifted.
Eating During Labor Should Not Be Forbidden Read More »
During a recent yoga class I was taking, my teacher discussed our natural reaction to fear. She explained that students tend to make their poses smaller and constrict themselves when they are fearful of doing the pose. For example, they are afraid to shift their weight forward off their feet and into their hands for
How Fear Affects Labor and What You Can Do About It Read More »
Most women spend countless hours preparing for the arrival of their little one. Picking out names, decorating a nursery (or rearranging a one bedroom apartment, for many NYC-dwelling first time parents), taking Childbirth Education classes…and the list goes on. In the midst of all of the anticipation, preparing the pelvis for labor may go overlooked.
Preparing Your Pelvis for Labor! Read More »
Last weekend, I attended workshop with my former teacher, Shiva Rea. About 10 years ago, I studied quite regularly with Shiva. Her teaching has greatly influenced my teaching throughout the years, so it was thrilling to return to her classroom after nearly a decade. Shiva’s path has taken her to India many times; in fact,
A close friend of mine asked for some pregnancy related book recommendations. She is pregnant with her second baby and a bit anxious about the upcoming experience. I thought for her, Birthing From Within by Pamela England would be a good fit. My friend is fairly spiritual and could really get into the therapeutic birth
Excerpts from ‘Birthing From Within’ Read More »
A new mother came back for postnatal yoga last week. She was absolutely glowing and excited to share her birth story with me. The new mama said she really felt good about her birth experience, but with the one exception that she wishes she would have been checked for dilation before receiving the epidural. She
Internal Exams: When To Get Them Read More »
Last Monday night, I was on the panel to speak at an event following the screening of More Business Of Being Born. The event was organized by Urbanity Baby. What I appreciate most about this film is the honesty and bluntness about the hardships of labor, and the disappointments that evolved. Alanis Morissette was among
Stretch marks: much to my dismay and efforts, they have invaded my belly region. For months I have been slathering on creams and lotions that promised to help prevent stretch marks and then one morning – last Thursday to be exact – I woke up with my belly feeling rather itchy, looked in the mirror
Surrendering to Pregnancy, Labor and Motherhood Read More »
The other night, my husband (Joey) and I were discussing our close friend’s labor. For the last few days things have been slowly progressing. However, mom and baby seem to be doing well, so there has not been any intervention given. Joey asked me why some labors take longer then others. That is certainly a
Theory may not always translate into reality. I am speaking more specifically of pain management and relaxation techniques. We start all of our prenatal yoga classes with several minutes of relaxation, deep breathing and some sort of pranayama or relaxation exercise. Many of the women look very much at peace and able to incorporate these
Practice Makes Perfect – Even Practicing for Labor! Read More »
The particular event that inspired me to write this blog occurred last week. I was teaching a private childbirth education when we approached the subject of induction. My student is a second time mother, and she mentioned that she was thinking of getting induced at 38 weeks (the same time she had her fist child).
Understanding Labor Induction Read More »
Whenever I tell people that I “moonlight” as a labor support doula, they say “a what???” A labor support doula- a woman that offers continuous physical and emotional support to a laboring woman. Even after that explanation, I still often receive slightly confused looks. Although, the idea of having continuous support for a laboring mother
The Importance of Continuous Labor Support Read More »
Ina May Gaskin, the renowned midwife, coined the phrase The Sphincter Law in her book, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. Her theory is based on the idea that the body has sphincters, and these sphincters can be shy and can NOT be forcefully opened. Think back to a time when your bladder was shy. For example,
How to Recruit and Prepare Labor Support Read More »
It absolutely breaks my heart to know that many women are not given the chance to get out of bed during labor. Last January, I attended Lisa’s birth as her labor support doula. I stopped by the hospital while she was in early labor, and then headed home until she needed me. At sometime between
Moving During Labor Read More »
A main component of the prenatal yoga class is the exploration of pain management and relaxation techniques that can be used during labor and delivery. My favorite (and most effective) exercise is the mock contraction. This is a 60 second wall squat that is meant to simulate the timing of a contraction and is frankly,
Labor Pains: Don’t Be Caught Unprepared Read More »
For those looking to avoid routine interventions or put off pain medication, care providers commonly recommend staying home for as long as possible. This advice is very well intended, but the birthing momÂs partner will likely be called on to help make the final call about when to go in. That responsibility can be very
Understanding the Signposts of Labor Read More »
Statistics show that 70% of birthing women will take an epidural during the labor and delivery process. That being the case, it is important to discuss how to be pro-active and assure a good chance at a successful vaginal delivery with an epidural. In a recent blog entry, I outlined the pros and cons of
Labor and Birth With An Epidural Read More »
Whether or not to opt for pain medication during labor and delivery is a personal choice. In making these choices, it may be helpful to understand the pros and cons of epidural anesthesia. It is not my job as a teacher to lead you in one direction or another, but to simply present factual information
Epidurals: The Pros and The Cons Read More »
The other day I was reading through some blogs and came across a story about the correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of C-sections. The article, Vitamin D deficiency ups risk of C-section deliveries, study says, is featured in Scientific America. Funnily enough, that same day, one of my students came up
Nutritional Preparations to Help With Labor Read More »
Before I became involved in the prenatal yoga and childbirth education world, I associated childbirth with a cute cuddly baby, happy parents and fuzzy teddy bears. Now, I think technology, defensive medicine and insurance issues. Hmm…I don’t really like that shift, but it does ring true to reality. Our national cesarean rate has increased 50%
The Birth – Insurance Relationship and Ways to Avoid a C-section Read More »
I am going to go out on a limb and say: “I strongly believe the best breathing for labor is deep-belly breathing!” There, I said it. This may upset some, or contradict what others believe and what some childbirth educators are teaching. However, from my experience as a labor support doula, this is what I
Breathing for Labor, A Yogic Point of View Read More »
Many women think that the abdominal region is off limits during pregnancy, when in fact it is even more important to maintain strength and stability in the core to help support the exaggerated curves of the spine and the weight of the growing fetus. Also, proper abdominal strengthening will decrease the chances for the rectus
Your Abdominal Muscles Can Help You Push Your Baby Out Read More »
A recent article from BBC News, Home Births “as safe as Hospital”, highlights the largest study of its kind, with over a half million participants. It indicates that for low-risk women, giving birth at home is as safe as doing so in hospital with a midwife. This study may dispel the negative stigma of home
Largest Study of it’s Kind States: Home births ‘as safe as hospital’ Read More »
