The Power of Milk - DONA International

Amy Wright Glenn, MA, in Religion and Educationfrom Teachers College at Columbia University, is aKripalu Yoga Teacher, DONA certified birth doulaand hospital chaplain. You can learn more abouther work at www.amywrightglenn.com.Member letterspoemFEATURE STORYPrenatal YogaMBy Amy Wright Glenn, MA, CD(DONA)any pregnant women our more difficult parts and use the energyknow that the practice locked in such patterns to affirm life.of prenatal yoga Prenatal yoga is an amazing preparationasanas (postures) is for birth where focus and attention tohelpful for staying in shape throughout breath help women ride the waves ofpregnancy and in preparation for birth. sensation and relax through the first stagePrenatal practiceIn reference to “Prenatal Yoga,”Volume 17, Issue 1, CristinTighe, MEM, MA, CD(DONA),PCD(DONA), RYT writes:For healthy women who have an activeyoga practice prior to pregnancy, a fewmodifications are needed. Perhaps themost obvious change is to avoid belly-In fact, the benefits are numerous. During of labor, helping the body ease the baby down postures after the first trimester.my prenatal yoga teacher training, we into the birth position. Finally, depending Some are surprised to learn that pregnantwere told that “it’s never too early or too on her interests, a pregnant woman can yogis can safely go into inversions (e.g.late” to begin a prenatal yoga practice. benefit spiritually from the practice. In headstands) even into the last trimester if …here’s a different perspective onWhatever kind of birth is hoped for or taking the time to hold the belly, share a inversions had been a part of their practiceplanned, the practice of calming the mind, class with the baby within and marvel at the before pregnancy. However, most womenpaying attention to the breath and relaxing wonder of becoming a vehicle for life, the find they prefer to spend less time in morethe body aids women through the rite of heart is opened to great mysteries. strenuous postures and use a wall to helpinversions. I am a Kundalini Yogapassage into motherhood and helps with Because tension and emotional stresses with balance. Based on my training, thepostpartum recovery.live in our tissues, we all benefit by moving mantra to offer is “trust your comfort.”mindfully and with breath awareness. The majority of women in a prenatalBenefits aboundMany of our clients may ask about the yoga class are new to the practice.teacher (www.kriteachings.org),benefits of yoga. It is helpful for us to Advanced postures are purposely notA pregnant woman benefits physically be informed about these benefits and taught at this time, taking a more gentlefrom yoga as she supports her body in offer information to our clients regarding approach. In my teaching, I focus onthe transformative months of pregnancy. prenatal yoga practice. As doulas, our own connecting to the baby and postures thatLower back pain, sore muscles and general connection to our bodies and breath helps will be helpful through labor and birth — with advanced Conscioustensions ease through the birthing women in their connection to opening the hips, release of shoulder/backpractice. Furthermore, body and breath. The Sanskrit root of the tension, freeing the voice to make helpfula woman benefits word yoga signifies union or connection. sounds through labor and strengtheningemotionally to make Women who support women through pelvic floor muscles.Pregnancy Yoga training, andspace for the positive birth are practicing a form of yoga,While it’s true that many good textsenergies found in even if they have never practiced yoga and DVDs are now available to use atpregnancy as well as asanas. We practice what Nel Noddings, home, nothing replaces the power ofthe concerns, fears, a feminist care ethicist calls “motivational a class in real time with a teacher whoalso studied with Judith Lasaterdoubts and anxieties displacement.” By setting aside our own can personally interact with students.also common in personal interests, we focus intently in Practicing with other pregnant womenpregnancy. An creating a deep connection to the birthing creates a warm community of support atessential skill woman in the spirit of sisterhood and a time in our culture where communitiesof yoga is service. Specifically, doulas practice what are far more fragmented than those our (www.judithlasater.com) fromto befriend is traditionally called karma yoga or selfless grandmothers knew. Pregnant womenservice. This is particularly true for those throughout time have sought out onewho offer services without charge. another to prepare, share stories, offersupport, learn from each other and, most Iyengar yoga. There are noimportantly, celebrate pregnancy.doulas practice whatis traditionally calleddouble-blind studies provingkarma yoga orselfless servicethe benefits for pregnancy. In16 | International Doula | Volume 17, Issue 1Kundalini Yoga, women do notpractice inversions at all after the120th day. Judith doesn’t teach inversions because (1) first trimester is atime of implantation; (2) second trimester the baby can move/get wrappedin the cord; (3) third trimester inversions mean all the weight puts pressureon the women’s diaphragm, heart and lungs. There may be real risks toinversions during pregnancy, so it is worth questioning their value whenthere are so many other yoga poses beneficial to pregnancy.Author Amy Wright Glenn’s reply:… There are quite a few perspectives with regard to the skillful use ofinversions during pregnancy. … there are accomplished and thoughtfulyogis who disagree as well. I suggest each pregnant woman take the time toread, research, and trust her comfort as she moves through her pregnancyand birth intuitively. I agree with the following insights provided by Iyengartrained teacher Karen Allgire.“… In general, the recommendation is that the inversions may continueif they are already a regular part of a woman’s yoga practice. If she doesnot know the inverted poses, this is not the time to learn them. Even if awoman does practice inversions regularly, she should stop them if they feellike a strain. How far into the pregnancy they can be done is an individualmatter. Senior Iyengar teacher Patricia Walden says the inversionsshould stop as soon as the woman experiences heaviness in the pelvis orbreathing becomes difficult.”At the 2008 DONAInternational Conferencein Vancouver, BritishColumbia, I participatedin a study comparing American andCanadian doulas by answering a survey.One of the last questions read: “Qualities/actions you bring to laboring women/families that make you a good doula.”I know from studies that just the presenceof a doula or a supportive person isassociated with better outcomes. I knowthat I don’t have to do anything to bea good doula. My presence and energyalone are enough. I felt compelled,however, to try to pinpoint what exactly Ido at a birth because I struggle with thisevery time someone asks me, “So, whatdoes a doula do?” This was my response.So, WhatDoes aDoula Do?By Kat Hickey, CD(DONA)I love. I listen.I empower. I massage.I believe. I whisper.I rock. I touch.I breathe. I thank.I witness. I praise.I soothe. I dance.I encourage. I hope.I laugh. I cry. I dream.I love.correctionThe article, DONA International and Third Party Reimbursementin Volume 17, Issue 2 of the ID, contained a typo. It should read“Ninety-five percent of the mothers served by the program had Medicaid[not Medicare] in one form or another and it seemed reasonable thatinsurance should pay for the services they received, including childbirtheducation and interpreters.” We apologize for this error.Kat Hickey is a DONA certifiedbirth doula, Reiki practitionerand birth photographer. Inher life before children, shewas a professional actor andmusician and is trying to find opportunities touse those talents in her daily life. She lives in FortWayne, Indiana with her husband and four childgurus,age eleven, nine, seven and three.6 International Doula Volume 17, Issue 3