Week 87: Labour and Delivery - Where Did Yoga Fit?

It's game time!

I've been waiting 40 weeks for this and all my pre-yoga work has (hopefully) helped!

Things began to ramp up in the wee hours of the morning. As I said last week, I knew my body was getting ready for this baby's arrival. By sunrise, I thought it best to inform all parties involved that it's time.

With everyone at my home and ready to head to the hospital, the labour begins to slow down...contractions come to a halt.

What!?!!!??

It took a lot for me to come to terms that labour doesn't go from zero to one hundred but it has bumps and turns throughout. I suppose it is kinda like a yoga practice as well. It's not the same every time you step on the mat.

Working with some natural labour inducing options, contractions began again and we were off to the hospital.

For those of you who haven't experienced labour, it can sometimes feel like an out of body experience. I have a distinct memory of being in the delivery room shower, light very dim, soothing music being played and the smell of peppermint. All a while trying to control my breath. It was like a yoga class minus the painful contractions!

I think my doula purposely set things up this way as she knew it was bringing me comfort during one of the most challenging physical feats of my life.

Being drug free, I felt every thing. The wild roller coaster of labour and delivery was upon me. By all accounts, everyone said I did a great job but all I could do in those moments was to listen (to my body and my team) and breathe!!!

Surely enough, one last push and instant relief. I had a new baby boy laying on my chest. Just like the feeling after an intense yoga session (probably a hot one!) but times ten more! I had done it!

Now the lifetime of work was to begin!

LW