First up, here’s my 27 week picture. Welcome to the 3rd trimester!
Now going into it I expected a lot of stretching, a lot of breathing, and a lot of baby bellies. What I didn’t expect was that I would WORK, that I would become frustrated with myself, and that I would leave feeling so empowered and sore.
When I got there I set up my area with two blocks, a blanket, a bolster (which is a big tubular pillow essentially), a strap and my water bottle. I sat there like the socially awkward person I am and filled out my new person form, smiling at all the mommas walking in. It was a VERY full class, leaving little room for a lot of movement outside of the area of my mat – not my favorite part, but we made it work! We started the class off with some great breathing exercises, some light stretching (sorry guys, can’t remember the poses exactly!) and introduced ourselves. So far so good!
Then we started a series of squats and OHMIGOSH. Legs.On.Fire. I forgot to breathe because it was so painful at times. I got frustrated because I forgot to breathe and about the fact that it was actually painful. And then I realized: this is practice. Practice for fighting through the pain of childbirth, practice for pushing my body past it’s perceived limits, practice for making myself fight against the desire to stop when the going gets tough. And y’all? That practice still hurts today!
I have 9 more sessions of prenatal yoga (a gift from a friend) and I absolutely can’t wait to go back for more. I love that I left there feeling empowered to birth a child and that I feel like Nate and I can work through it together. I can honestly say that while I see the benefit in having a birthing coach other than my husband (i.e. a doula or midwife) it’s not something that I really want for the birth and it’s simply not something we can afford right now – but what I can afford to do is to let my body experience something incredible, the birth of a baby. I can afford to let God use my mind and my breath to work through the pain and ultimately lead me closer to Him and to my husband, regardless of how the birthing story goes.
All that from one class. Pretty awesome, right? 🙂
OK nevermind- found it! The cute baby belly pictures. You look great Heather. You can tell I am just now catching up on all my blog reading, it has been a busy week! Will be praying for you about the diabetes and that you and baby will stay strong and healthy.
27 weeks? you look great! I’m dying to try a prenatal yoga class, but haven’t found one to fit in my schedule yet, after reading this, can’t wait to try one!
I haven’t been yet – but looked into it – after reading this makes me want to go and try it out. i did go to regular yoga a few weeks with adjusted poses but i guess i need to try the prenatal one. Sounds awesome. My husband will be only one there too 🙂 You look great.
I love my prenatal yoga class! I wish it was held more than once a week because I feel like it’s such great exercise. Glad you had a good time.
3rd trimester already?!?! It seems like just last week you were announcing the great news! YAY!
Glad you’re enjoying prenatal yoga. Practice- great way to look at it!
LOVED prenatal yoga!! It is going to help you so much, for the rest of your pregnancy, your birth, and after. Not only the exercise, but I found myself using all the breathing exercises when I started having anxiety. So glad you get 9 more sessions and you look beautiful!!!
You are beautiful, Heather! I had a midwife deliver my babies, but my husband was my main coach. I agree with Sarah above that it was an amazing bonding experience! I am so excited for you! 🙂
I did have a midwife because I chose to labor at a birthing center, but my main coach was my husband. I’m so glad he was! It was an amazing, challenging, and incredibly bonding experience for us. That and my prenatal yoga classes helped a lot….I am a big fan on your thoughts about preparing for labor:-).
Wow, that IS awesome! And brought a tear to my eye. I’m loving the “movement”, if you will, of young new mothers pushing for natural childbirth, empowering minds through the strength and God-given gifts of the body. You make a stunning mama-to-be lady 🙂
Loved my prenatal yoga classes. I did them from 12 weeks until 36 weeks. Enjoy!
Look at YOU! You look so amazing. And that class sounds awesome. I wish I had found something like that while pregnant.
I’m definitely going to do yoga when I’m pregnant, so I really liked reading about your experience. Sounds hard but also really good for you!
You look so cute 🙂
“Empowered to birth a child and that I feel like Nate and I can work through it together.” YES!! You can do this!! And letting God use your mind is priceless! I went natural with Clara and it was absolutely THE BEST decision! (that being said, do what works in the moment, and don’t feel bad if things don’t go the way you planned them out!)
Amazing story! THanks for sharing!