Discovering Pregnancy Yoga during her first pregnancy, Greer found subtle techniques to adjust to her new and changing body and found tools to stay calm and centred during labour. During her second pregnancy though, yoga was not a possibility and her experience was a completely different one. When Greer become pregnant for the third time she was determined to not have a repeat scenario, and committed to twice weekly yoga classes. Hear about Greer’s three pregnancies and why she believes pregnancy yoga is a must for all pregnant women!
In hindsight I realise how my first pregnancy had some very lonely and vulnerable times. Being in Australia without my family around and without really any friends that were having babies, I chose the road of 'ignorance is bliss' and trusted that things would work out.
It was during my second trimester that I discovered pregnancy yoga and immediately felt completely at home. Through these classes I was able to learn small subtle techniques and practices to get within my new and constantly changing body. The classes also gave me a chance to settle my mind as I tread amongst a world of unknowns for the first time.
I had a male obstetrician who was fantastic but knowing what I know now I can see what was missing. The process and the environment lacked the nuturing and connection that I needed. Looking back I can identify a longing for trust and connection amongst the support.
“I discovered pregnancy yoga and immediately felt completely at home.”
My first child, Nixon, was breech up until 37 weeks when my obstetrician successfully turned him. That experience, along a 2hr 50min labour at 41 weeks that consisted of fontuse, forceps and episiotomy scenarios, I got through with the techniques of the breath and grounding that I had learn from pregnancy yoga classes.
My second pregnancy was a completely different experience because of where we lived, the lack of family support and hubby working 2 hours away (thankfully having beautiful lifelong friends to fill those voids). All of these factors meant I could not do any yoga. I had a short cervix and was at risk of preterm labour. I struggled to stand for longer than 40 mins at a time - I had forgotten how to use the support and energy from the earth beneath and was disconnected as I spent each day just trying to do the best I could do as a mum. My second child, Ihaia, arrived early at 35 weeks - a posterior labour and a radiating back for 4.5 hours. It was a quick labour again, but I was unprepared mentally and physically.
Due to the early arrival I didn’t have my hospital bag ready, Ihaia being taken away to the incubator and being in special care for 8 days. Nathan and Nixon at home 45 mins away - I felt massive missing holes as I sat in the room with none of my boys with me at that moment even though it was still the happiest time of my life having brought our new baby boy into the world.
Just over 2 years later I found myself back living in New Zealand and pregnant for the third time. I was determined to not have a repeat scenario and create a completely different experience to my last two pregnancies. I committed to pregnancy yoga classes twice a week to give myself the time out, the space to connect with other beautiful mums again in the safe loving and welcoming studio, strengthen my body after having grown and birthed 2 humans already, and really connect my breath to my mind and body. I learned how to position my body to avoid the posterior position as much as possible. To strengthen my pelvic floor while I went through the pregnancy with a short cervix again, we had a moment at 32 weeks where Sabine teased us about possibly arriving early - but rest, support from family, friends and beautiful midwives, and feeling the flow of my breath and the calm of my mind - calmed things down. At 39 weeks Sabine smoothly arrived in 55 mins at 4:44am where she was placed on my chest and she stayed - connected to each other with our beating hearts and flowing energy.
“I'm so grateful and blessed to have truly discovered the power of yoga at such a profound stage of my life.”
We all learn how supported we are by the universe at various stages of life - I'm so grateful and blessed to have truly discovered the power of yoga at such a profound stage of my life. To know now how it is a continual practice - thank goodness for constantly learning and practicing new tools as I navigate through breastfeeding, toddler tantrums, brain development, relationship building and school life as well as settling and moulding into the constantly changing new me.
Written by Greer Taffard
Greer is a much-loved pregnancy yoga teacher at Golden Yogi, balancing teaching in between family life. To see when Greer is teaching next, click here.