Active breathing during pregnancy allows a woman to learn how to relax her abdominal wall and also how to keep her core engaged. It is equally important to relax the abdominal wall as it is to know how to engage the muscles of the abdominal wall. Often women hold their core so tight all the time prior to pregnancy and through pregnancy, that they create dysfunctional breathing patterns, core dysfunctions, and trigger points causing pain in the abdominal wall. It is also common to see women who cannot activate their abdominal wall and specifically cannot contract their transverse abdominis, which is why the activated breath is an important tool to practice and learn.
On the inhale, the diaphragm comes down and belly expands. On the exhale, the diaphragm will go up, belly comes in and the transverse muscle is engaged. A great cue is to think about breathing into the ribcage in the front, back, and sides where the lungs are located, instead of just thinking of the diaphragm breath or belly breath.
Active breathing is great to perform various times throughout the day throughout a woman’s pregnancy as it really teaches her to engage the core properly. This core engagement with the breath during pregnancy can not only help with labor and birth, especially when pushing, but also for an easier postpartum recovery. Learning to activate the core is an important skill and when practiced during pregnancy, can help make early core activation during the postpartum period easier and aid in the recovery process.
Medical Disclaimer
Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate exercise prescription. If you experience any pain or difficulty with these exercises, stop and consult your healthcare provider.
On the inhale, the diaphragm comes down and belly expands. On the exhale, the diaphragm will go up, belly comes in and the transverse muscle is engages.
Active breathing is great to perform various times throughout the day throughout a woman’s pregnancy as it really teaches her to engage the core properly. This core engagement with the breath during pregnancy can not only help with labor and birth, especially when pushing, but also for an easier postpartum recovery. Learning to activate the core is an important skill and when practiced during pregnancy, can help make early core activation during the postpartum period easier and aid in the recovery process.
Medical Disclaimer
Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate exercise prescription. If you experience any pain or difficulty with these exercises, stop and consult your healthcare provider.