Is it Okay to Have and Feel Unpleasant Feelings during Pregnancy? Won't my Bad Vibes Affect my Baby?

To start off: When a pregnant woman is stressed, when she has high levels of cortisol or adrenaline coursing through her body, this negatively affects her baby. The hormones of both stress and well-being significantly impact fetal development. For example, maternal stress during pregnancy increases the likelihood of premature birth, low birth weight, and an increased likelihood of emotional/behavior health problems for both mother and child -- even through the child’s adolescence. Basically, what you feel the baby feels (Amy Glenn Wright, 2015). So, is it OK then to have and feel my unpleasant feelings in pregnancy if the baby is going to feel them, too?? How do I not feel depressed or anxious at times and 'protect' my baby from these low energy feelings? Well, it is impossible not to feel crummy and off at times because you are human and that is part of the human experience. I believe it is OK, normal, and healthy to feel your feelings rather than shove them down - even when you are pregnant, especially when you are pregnant because it can be a wonderful opportunity to do a lot of inner work and healing. The trick is to feel your feelings through so you can let them go, which takes a little time and patience. A consistent yoga practice and/or meditation practice can help you to move and release stuck unpleasant feelings, gain perspective and see the big picture when you feel engulfed in them, and encourage and remind you to keep calm and take deep breaths (elicits the relaxation response, yay!)when faced with adversity. The cool thing about a consistent yoga practice is that you don't need to know the whole story or why. Feelings and stuff will just come up as we move, stretch, and breathe in yoga. Our job is to keep our attention in the Present, watching the unfolding of one moment to the next Healing occurs in the Now. Just keep showing up to your mat or cushion and over time you will feel a bit lighter and freer. Simple, right?! It is, but Simple does not always mean Easy, I had a wise teacher say. Just keep showing up and see what happens. So, if you feel angry, sad, disappointment, you fill in the blank during pregnancy and you are worried about hurting the baby with your bad vibes, well, I say better to Feel it All, Let it Go, and Move On. Better I feel, than you holding on to your stuff and creating more stress hormones for you and your baby to feel! I have talked before in class, how I grieved a lot during my 2nd pregnancy.  Repressed grief surrounding my mother's passing bubbled up from deep below.  Pregnancies will do that - push stuff up to the surface - towards the Light for healing! Not at all what I wanted to feel during this pregnancy, but I had a choice, resist the suppressed feelings of anger and pain or totally accept it and go with it. I chose the later, which created more space and inner peace in the long run. The 2nd pregnancy opened another layer of my heart and taught me about real acceptance which in hindsight was preparing me to be mama of two babies. Oh, the baby came out fine, too. He is happy and has a good heart. Each child bestows us lessons to learn from pregnancy (the lessons for me where 1st pregnancy Transformation opening my career path (hint - prenatal yoga! and 2nd pregnancy healing/opening my heart more), birth, and beyond. Each child has his/her own personal agenda and picked you to be his mama for you and your partner's genetics alone (I'm serious), geographical location (needed to be born at your location), or some past karma to work out. So, I say feel your feelings - ALL of them.  We can't feel the utter joys and bliss if we don't go way down and touch our dark sorrows and pain. Friends, if you do feel completely isolated and overwhelmed with your grief or stress in pregnancy, get professional help from a trained therapist. You are never alone. There is help! I also did talk therapy down the road (after 2nd pregnancy) for my grief related to my mom and childhood,and it helped A LOT.  Another BIG thing that has transformed my life tremendously (besides yoga of course :-)) is a daily meditation practice.  That is where I am learning to sit and witness my feelings rather than identify with them, just let them move through me, watch them rise and fall away, and over time release them. Here is an article if you are curious about starting a meditation practice  http://www.phillyvoice.com/beginning-meditation-practice/ Feel it all. That's what makes us human, stronger and more compassionate mamabeings :-)

What to Expect at My Prenatal Yoga Class When You are Expecting with Lisa J. Young, owner of Austin Prenatal Yoga and prenatal teacher

- There is usually a theme or two for the class (like Trusting our Bodies Innate Wisdom to Birth, Celebrating our Womanhood &Savoring our Pregnancy, The Nourishing Ourselves & the Uber importance of Self-Care for mom, Acceptance of 'What Is' to Invite the Sails of Change) And/Or you set an Intention - how do you want to feel in you yoga practice/pregnancy/Life today? Here is the break-down of class: - Sharing Circle - Unique to a prenatal yoga class. YOU get to talk (just a little - don't be shy - everyone is very warm and supportive). The Sharing Circle lasts 10-20 minutes, it varies depending on how many students are in the room and if the energy is more talkative or quiet that day. Each one of us goes around and says our name, weeks pregnant, any discomforts/requests for yoga class - each yoga class is a co-creation between students and teacher and the class is taylored to meet your physical and emotional needs. This promotes community building, sharing, and support. For many women, the Sharing Circle is the favorite part of the yoga class because it helps them feel less isolated and connected to other mamas going through the same things. Sometimes, you didnt' even know you needed to hear or something or release that, so the Sharing Circle serves many purposes. - The meat of the class (45-55 minutes): Centering, Grounding, Connect with your Baby & Chant OM; Breath Awareness & Warm up stretches; Asanas (the yoga poses) - e.g. Modified Sun Salutations, Warrior Poses, Squats, Balancing Poses, Safe Twists; Warm down poses or stretches. -Final Relaxation aka Savasana (6-10 minutes). REST and do nothing. Just BE. -Closing (1-3 mintues) Sit. Reflect. Be Still. Chant OM. Leave class feeling centered, grounded, revived, calm, happy, and deeply connected to your baby. (You will also leave feeling like you exercised)! Please note: There are always yoga mats at the studio to borrow. Blankets and blocks are provided. Also, every day in pregnancy is different so you honor your energy level and do what you can in class. There are modifications and resting poses you can always do. Always listen to your body and trust your comfort. - Prenatal yoga is a fantastic way to prepare for birth. I praise my yoga practice for my quick & easy natural childbirths. Yoga and Pregnancy just go together!

In remembrance of my mom

In Remembrance of my Mom, Kathleen Young.

Birth and Death: Two sides of the same coin?

My sweet mom passed away Thurs. Sept. 23, eve of the equinox full moon. She was very sick and had no need for her earthly body anymore. I have mixed feelings. It was sad to say goodbye but also a relief because she was struggling so much this past year.

At her services which felt dream-like and not real, it occurred to me that the funeral, burial, people mourning, my mom's 'shell' in her casket was ALL a big dream and it wasn't real. Now, what do I mean by that? Some of you may think I am still in denial or shock, right? Well, I had this brief realization that the only Real events in the 'human game' are our birth and death and what is before or after those two events. Everything else is a dream or an illusion we make-up to convince ourselves we are limited and restricted human beings, bound by time and space so we can play the human game. I got turned on to this way of thinking from a book I just read called, "Busing Loose from the Money Game". If open and curious, I'd highly recommend.

When we die, are we born again to another plane? When we are conceived or born, do we die from another plane? Birth and Death are two sides of the same coin. We celebrate new life, and cry tears of joy (or sometimes sorrow) when a baby is born. We cry tears of sorrow and celebrate a life lived when someone passes. Birth and Death are The Real events in this game we call Life. Everything else is a string of unreal moments. A Dream.

Row Row Row Your Boat Gently Down the Stream, Merrily Merrily Merrily, Life is But a Dream! (One of my favorite nursery rhymes as a child, still is, and one I sing to my daughter often. It's always resonated with me..)

My mom is at peace. She is happy and free. I feel her soft spirit comforting, guiding, and protecting me. Her new journey has begun, and I am happy for her. I feel blessed to have been born to such a sweet, giving, and selfless mother. I forever have her memories imprinted on my heart. Now, my relationship with her as spirit has taken on new meaning, and I feel grateful to cultivate a relationship with her on the other side.

Some immediate things I've learned about myself from my mom's passing:

I now tell my family and friends, "I you love" often, even if they are uncomfortable with it and don't say it back. I don't care. I must tell them. I'm not holding back anymore.

I have been more kind and loving to myself lately.

I am more conscious of doing random acts of kindness.

Trying to live more from my heart and do what inspires and motivates me day to day.

I am hugging my daughter tighter, and giving more thanks for the little things she does.

I appreciate that my body was chosen to be the vessel for my daughter. What a miracle it still is!

Don't sweat the small things or figure out all the details. In the end, it really doesn't matter. Everything will be ok, and it always works out.

Love never dies. I love you mom, forever!

I am infinite power, abundance, joy, peace, light, and love, and so are you! We are so much more than we appear to be.

Placenta Encapsulation

Why?

Having your placenta made into pill form to consume after your birth may help you through the rocky postpartum period. I've read eating your placenta may increase energy, increase breast milk, and help with the 'baby blues'.

In China women sell their placentas after they give birth,
and herb companies buy them, process them and sell them as a
supplement to whoever wants it (mostly other women trying to recover
from childbirth or other significant blood loss events). (But the FDA
says no-no to that practice in the U.S.).

http://www.bluepoppy.com/blog/blogs/blog1.php/2010/08/26/the-legal-status-of-placenta

I did not know placenta encapsulation was an option after I gave birth. But, I would definitely do it next time. I did hit some rough patches postpartum, especially with producing milk and postpartum depression. My hormones were out of whack and so was my sleep. Get help from family, friends, neighbors, lactation consultants, etc. and nourish yourself with good food, vitamins, and placenta!

Here is the link to a woman in Austin who can help you encapsulate your placenta. Please let know how you make out!


http://placentabenefits.info/LindseyRoberts.asp

August Birth Announcements

Meghen gave birth to Emmett Malcolm on August 3, 12:24am at 34 1/2 weeks early, drug and complication free! He was still a big guy - 6lbs 15oz and 18.25 inches long. Meghen said, "I'm thrilled he saved me the trouble of a 10lb baby by coming early" :-)

Julie gave birth to Cora Violet on August 4 at 2am, 2 weeks early - just shortly after they had learned that she was breech. Julie went into labor a few days after trying to turn her in every way possible. She ended up with an emergency c-section. Although Julie says that was not fun, she was never so happy to meet someone, and is delighted at all the peace she brings!

Stacy gave birth to Lexie, her 5th child, on August 6. She was 41 weeks pregnant! Stacy had her heart set on her first epidural-free birth, and she did it!

Sam gave birth to Morrison this morning, 3:44am Sept. 1! He weighed 8lbs 120z. and 21" long. I had the privilege to witness Sam and Morrison's labor and birth journey. Holy amazing! Way to relax into each contraction, Sam and resist nothing. Beautiful vocalization, too. (Yoga tools) :-)

Congratulations beautiful moms and your newborns!

Couples Yoga & Powerful Visualizations Workshop

Dear Expectant Mom,


I am thrilled to let you know that I am now offering a new workshop for you and your partner called “Couples Yoga and Powerful Visualizations” for Labor & Birth. This fun and educational Yoga and Visualization workshop is unlike any workshop being offered and it will empower you to have the birth that you want to have!


Couples Yoga and Powerful Visualizations for Labor & Birth


Saturday September 25 1-4pm


The techniques that you and your partner will learn will include the following:

· Pain coping tools for easing labor

o Couples yoga postures for labor and birth*

o Massage techniques

o Breathing exercises

o Use of birth ball

· Birth and parenting visualization exercises

o Create a vision board and birth affirmations

o Build a positive mental picture of the pregnancy, birthing, and parenting journey

o 50 minute myth debunking documentary, Birthing Under an Illusion


Space will be limited to 5 couples per session. The workshop will be held at my intimate home studio, 1212 Newport Ave. Austin 78753.


The cost is $75 per couple. Please email or call me to register. Class registration is on a first pay, first reserve basis.


*No yoga experience is needed for partners. Also, if you are pregnant and have never attended yoga, you can attend as well.


Please call or email me if you have any questions.

(512) 876-9517
lisa@austinprenatalyoga.com

Thank you,
Lisa

Monthly Prenatal Yoga Tip for Breech Presentation

I've had two expecting moms within one week ask me about yoga poses for breech presentation, so when that occurs, it is usually a message to me to spread the information for all to glean.

The following are support measures and yoga postures that may be helpful when the baby is presenting breech.

Support Measures:
Visualize the baby turning and/or head down
Relaxation
Attention to any unresolved issues for the mom
Avoid deep squats (pelvis lower than knees) until baby is in vertex position
Acupuncture
Webster's Maneuver (Chiropractic)
Patience (many babies turn spontaneously)

Helpful Yoga Poses:
Supta Baddha Konasana (aka Heart Bench)
Cat/Cow
Supported Setu Bandha 3x/day for 10 to 15 mins.
Viparita Karani (aka legs up the wall)
Prasarita Padottanasana (standing forward fold wide angle legs)

There is also a wonderful website called Spinning Babies that shows how to do Belly Mapping and talks about all fetal positions, including breech. Here is the link to their their page on what to do for breech:

http://www.spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/breech-bottoms-up/what-to-do-about-breech