Prenatal yoga: when to start?

[foreignerforlife]

Are any of you doing prenatal yoga? When did you get started?

[OvenSeeksBun]

I'm doing prenatal yoga! I started at 22 weeks, and I'll be going up until mid-December, so I'll be around 35 weeks by then. My friend and I signed up to for 2 consecutive 6-week sessions.

[hollytheteacher]

I started right away! I was literally like 5 weeks! It has been GREAT and I look forward to it every week (sometimes I go twice a week). I can't recommend it enough. It has really helped to give me a time to be quiet and focus on my body and the pregnancy in a hectic crazy life of working full time and having a three year old!

[lillymonster]

I started at 23 weeks. Most places around me would let me start until I was in my second trimester, and I have done yoga before

[TheDivineMrsM]

I started at about 16 weeks; I'm 30 now. I LOVE it and will go until I give birht or can't drive to the class anymore!

[caseykn]

I'd start as soon as you feel like it! With both my pregnancies, I've started after my 1st trimester was over but that was only because I was horribly sick with my 1st and had a subchorionic bleed with this one and couldn't do anything remotely strenuous for a while. There are always newly prego moms in my class and I wish I'd been able to start earlier both times. I'll keep going until the baby comes out!

[TinyFrog]

I teach prenatal yoga and the studio policy recommends you wait until your second trimester. Much of that reasoning is CYA. The risk of miscarriage is so high in the first trimester anyway, I really think they just want to avoid any chance of accusation should something happen. Of course, they didn't really bat an eye at me teaching in my first trimester.

[Yuba_River]

I love prenatal yoga. Women in my class do start in the first trimester, but I started in the early second both times--felt too awful in the first.

[gumshoegirl007]

I took my first prenatal class in the first trimester, around week 11. I've been away for the past two weekends, but will go again this time (I'll be 14 weeks). I like prenatal yoga, but I'd also like to do (and think that I'm still capable) of doing something a bit more challenging as well. But, a back issue has sort of put me out of commission from regular exercise throughout the first trimester, and I'm a little concerned about returning to my running, cardio and weights routine after having been off it for 2+ months.

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

are there any good prenatal yoga videos out there? I am almost in the 2nd trimester and will preggo all winter, i really want something to keep me in shape during the cold months

[gummibears]

Originally Posted by ILoveMyBabyBird

are there any good prenatal yoga videos out there? I am almost in the 2nd trimester and will preggo all winter, i really want something to keep me in shape during the cold months

I second that.

[Aleka333]

Originally Posted by ILoveMyBabyBird

are there any good prenatal yoga videos out there? I am almost in the 2nd trimester and will preggo all winter, i really want something to keep me in shape during the cold months

I've been doing Shiva Rea's prenatal yoga dvd by Gaiam since early in the first trimester. Seems to be a good one - a bit on the easy side, but excellent for relaxation. Good squats. I alternate that with a harder pregnancy workout & walking throughout the week.

I've been waiting to take actual classes for some reason. (I do like to save $$ though) Guess I should start looking into it soon.

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by TinyFrog

I teach prenatal yoga and the studio policy recommends you wait until your second trimester. Much of that reasoning is CYA. The risk of miscarriage is so high in the first trimester anyway, I really think they just want to avoid any chance of accusation should something happen.

I'm surprised at this. I guess, with our ridiculously litigious society, they want to be overly cautions to, as you wrote, "CYA" - but that is not in the least evidence based. It's as anti-evidence-based as not letting women eat & drink in labor. It is a silly superstition.

If you have any doubts, read "Exercising through your pregnancy" by Dr. Clapp. Great book! Exercise is not only NOT harmful at any stage of pregnancy, it's extremely beneficial for both mama & baby.

OP, go to regular yoga now! There are really no restrictions on you up until 5 mos - at which point you shouldn't lay flat on your back. Around the 4/5 month mark I felt uncomfortable laying flat on my belly. But up until that point, you can go take a regular yoga class! Literally, there's no need whatsoever to limit yourself.

Obviously listen to your body use your common sense. Your blood pressure is lower in the first trimester, so be especially careful if you feel dizzy. Learn how to slowly come out of forward bends in case you do feel dizzy (bend your knees so your hips become lower as you slowly lift your head - brace your elbows on your thighs.)

FYI, I'm a fitness & yoga instructor too.

Originally Posted by gumshoegirl007

I'm a little concerned about returning to my running, cardio and weights routine after having been off it for 2+ months.

I've been off my weights & cardio routine for about 2 mos too due to horrific "morning sickness' (more aptly referred to, IMO, as "progesterone poisoning" - was 24/7 and I felt 'poisoned.')

But I exercised vigorously through my whole pregnancy with DS. I plan to return, just ease into it - not going to true "failure" with all of my sets at first, maybe decreasing the volume (fewer sets, fewer reps) & just listening to my body. I've GOT to start back... exercise is just so beneficial, I don't want to not be doing anything but my teaching step aerobics & cardio kickboxing only 1 day per week!

[turtlewomyn]

I started around 11 weeks I think? Our yoga teacher is trying to foster some bonding, so we had to sign up for an 8 week course, and it was limited to 15 participants and closed after sign up. I think she won't run another one until the spring. There are ladies in there of all stages of pregnancy. I love my class and I feel so relaxed afterwards.

As for yoga videos my teacher recommended:
Yoga for Your Pregnancy, Kristen Eykel, Yoga Journal and Lamaze
Prenatal Yoga, Shiva Rea, Gaiam

[foreignerforlife]

Thanks everyone! I just signed up, so I'll be starting next week (11 weeks). Can't wait!