PREGNANT WOMEN GENERATE HEAT ALL ON THEIR OWN

So many pregnant women show up at my prenatal yoga classes saying, “I haven’t practiced yoga in months. I used to do hot yoga, but stopped when I became pregnant. ” These moms are smart because Hot Yoga is not safe for pregnancy! 

A Normal Body Temperature is Essential for a Healthy Mom and Baby

The human body generates its own heat, and maintaining a normal body temperature is very important to the normal processes and metabolic processes that our body performs to keep us healthy. Hot yoga classes should always be avoided during pregnancy.

Hot Yoga is Risky for Pregnant Women and Their Babies

The hot humid environment of “Bikram” yoga or Hot Yoga can present a significant risk to any exerciser. The risks rise even higher for pregnant women and their growing babies. Even if you are used to practicing in the heated room when you are not pregnant, it is very important that your body is able to cool itself and regulate a normal body temperature during pregnancy. The heat of a hot yoga room doesn’t allow one’s body to regulate temperature. There are so many risks to exercising in a hot room during pregnancy, that hot yoga is not safe for pregnancy.

There are significant health concerns for the expectant mother during pregnancy and her growing baby:

1.    Dehydration

2.    An inability to cool the body

3.    Elevation of the core body temperature-hyperthermia, causing fetal stress

4.    Decreased blood volume caused by dehydration-less blood supply can cause less oxygen to the uterus and to the baby

5.    Enhanced flexibility from the heat and the hormone Relaxin increase chances of injury from over-stretching

6.    Contra-indicated poses like lying on the belly or supine-lying on the back

7.    Overheating has been shown to cause neural tube defects.

Practicing yoga during pregnancy has been proven to be beneficial to both mom and baby, so make sure you practice in a safe and cool environment. Find a class and a teacher who specializes in prenatal yoga and has training in prenatal yoga. Try Yoga Alliance to find a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher. You can also practice at home. But before you start any new exercise program be sure to check with your health care provider and get the OK to practice.Yoga Trial Offers

Prenatal Yoga in San Diego:

Are you from Vista, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Oceanside? Prenatal Yoga classes twice a week at Babies In Bloom 1988 Hacienda Drive, Vista, CA 92081

This article is not meant to be a prescription for your particular condition. You should consult with your care provider first.

Resources:

Medicine.net: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51783

eHow: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4564174_body-cool-itself.html

LiveStrong.com: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4564174_body-cool-itself.html

 Webmd: http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/exercise-during-pregnancy