Pregnancy Yoga Resources
Hello and welcome to my pregnancy yoga resources.
They are suitable from 14 weeks pregnant. Please make sure that you have been cleared to practice yoga for pregnancy by your medical professional before you begin and read my medical disclaimer.
Below you will find a selection of audio & video practices to support your pregnancy, as well as some PDF information, other links and connections to national organisations and local Northwich professionals. Please let me know if any of the links no longer work!
I really hope you enjoy using these resources at home and I wish you a happy and healthy journey through pregnancy, birth and motherhood.
Love Sarah xx
Please feel free to connect at anytime using my contact info in the website footer if you have any questions or queries.
Pregnancy Took Kit
This is a comprehensive toolkit of information to support your pregnancy and birth. It includes lots of information and links including: Prepare for a positive birth, Rest and relaxation, Evidence based education, Getting to know your pregnant body and self-care, Navigating the pelvis and OFP, Active birth, Navigating choices, Confident birth partner, Your baby, your body, your choice - birth and postnatal planning and more links and references.
If you attend my pregnancy yoga class you will receive this pdf by email. If you don’t attend my class and would like to receive the toolkit as a downloadable PDF, please click on this link here - there is a £5 fee for the download.
Audio Practices
Listen anytime by clicking on the play button, you can also download them to use on other devices. Ensure you are comfortable, either lying down (on your side if you are 30 weeks pregnant or more) or sitting up with lots of support so that your knees are lower than your hips to provide good posture, pelvis and spine stability while you rest.
20 minute relaxation for pregnancy
A guided relaxation for anytime in your pregnancy - make yourself as comfortable as possible with cushions and blankets, dim the lights and enjoy. You may be seated or lying down as you wish.
16 minute meditation for pregnancy
A guided meditation for anytime in your pregnancy - please sit in a stable upright chair and have your feet flat to the floor or on a cushion without shoes on. For the best possible experience make sure you are warm and that you are as undisturbed as possible.
23 minute Yoga Nidra relaxation meditation
A guided relaxation for anytime in your pregnancy - make yourself as comfortable as possible with cushions and blankets, dim the lights and enjoy. You may be seated or lying down as you wish. This practice is really helpful to release the aches and pains of pregnancy and promote deep rest. It also can be used to help you drop off to sleep or in the middle of the night if you are trying to get back to sleep.
10 minute Birthing Breath technique
Birthing Breath is a good way to connect with, and tone your pelvic floor. It is also a really helpful practice which will support second stage labour when a connection to the release of the pelvic floor is really useful in helping your baby down and out.
Golden Egg Breath
8 minute Golden Egg breath technique helps you to keep awareness on your breath whilst visualising yourself and your baby in a safe and protected space.
Golden Egg is great to use when you wish to connect to your baby and really feel into the space you both inhabit. It can be particularly useful if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, or if you are in a particularly busy place and feel that you need some sanctuary.
10 Minute Golden Thread Breath And Relaxation For Pregnancy
Golden thread breath technique soothes, balances and eases tensions, anxiety and pain. Great for first stage labour to breath along surges. Brilliant throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. This practice eases you into relaxation.
You can do this practice anywhere at anytime, great to do if you are feeling like you need some peace and calm in your day. Some ways that you can do use it - whilst waiting for an appointment, whilst taking a 5 minute break in your day or before going to sleep.
You can also listen to a variety of Yoga Nidra Relaxations on my free Yoga Nidra Mini Library here:
On-Demand Pregnancy Yoga Videos
If you attend my Pregnancy Classes you get free access to 5 full class video practices, and several more short videos similar to those above. These will support your yoga in class by enabling you to practice at home between classes with guidance.
They can be accessed at any time (from the date of your first class for 9 months) via your punchpass account at https://breathingspaceyoga.punchpass.com/classes - login click on content library and the videos are hosted there. Should you have to miss a class you can use these videos instead, or use them at home between classes :)
If you don’t attend my class, you can purchase a bundle of classes to use at home online here:
Find inspiration and guidance on my Occasional Thoughts Blog...
Other resources and links:
Birth Affirmations PDF download here
Making Choices in Pregnancy - BRAIN - PDF download - click here
Click on the + signs below to open up more links
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Evidence based websites, to help you make choices:
· www.aims.org.uk - birth information
· www.nice.org.uk - guidelines for birth
· www.birthrights.org.uk - your rights in pregnancy and birth
· www.sarahbuckley.com/articles
Growth scans and baby size
https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/induction-for-big-baby/
https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/the-risks-of-estimating-an-unborn-babys-weight/
https://midwifethinking.com/2019/09/02/big-babies-the-risk-of-care-provider-fear/?amp
Induction
Sara Wickham -
https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/100386/115128223264670729https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/routine-induction-in-healthy-women-not-supported-by-evidence/
Midwives cauldron with Sara Wickham - How western medicine controls the start of labour and why it needs to stop. https://open.spotify.com/episode/15i3WaSckcB4OdIE9Q26ra?si=ZLNwEDUITS-rMJDjrjEL8A
https://www.sarawickham.com/topic-resources/post-term-pregnancy-and-induction-of-labour-resources/
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/updated-evidence-on-the-pros-and-cons-of-membrane-sweeping/
https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/induction-for-big-baby/
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www.positivebirthmovement.org - including birth planning information
https://thepositivebirthbook.com/birth-planner/
http://tellmeagoodbirthstory.com/ - positive birth stories
https://www.activebirthcentre.com/blog/
www.sophiemessager.com/ - blog and rebozo techniques
Podcasts:
https://www.katiejames.site/podcasts/the-midwives-cauldron
Socials:
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Books - also make sure you prepare for your postnatal care and support whilst you are pregnant to prepare and whilst you have more time!
How to Have A Baby – Natalie Meddings
Bump, how to make, grow and birth a baby – Kate Evans
The Positive Birth Book – Millie Hill
Birthing from Within – Pam England & Rob Horowitz
The Hypnobirthing Book – Katharine Graves
New Active Birth – Janet Balaskas
Any book by Dr Sara Wickham https://www.sarawickham.com/books/
Afterbirth – Jessica Hatcher-Moore
The Fourth Trimester – Kimberly Ann Johnson
Why Postnatal Recovery Matters – Sophie Messager
Any of the Pinter & Martin publishers ‘Why it matters’ series
Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Francoise Freedman
Mother’s Breath Uma Dinsmore Tuli
Yoga for Pregnancy and Birth Uma Dinsmore Tuli
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Pelvic health
www.pelvicpartnership.org - pelvic health and pelvic pain info
Optimal Fetal positioning and support for breech babies https://spinningbabies.com
Specialised support
· www.bliss.org.uk - premature baby support
· www.twinstrust.org- formerly TAMBA twins and multiple birth association
Baby First Aid Course - Amy https://www.cheshirefirstaid.co.uk/
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Baby loss and birth trauma support
· www.tommys.org - information and research
· www.sands.org.uk - miscarriage and still birth support
· www.4louis.co.uk - miscarriage and still birth support
· www.thenatalfamily.co.uk - includes info for dads
· ww.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Mental health support
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Pre and Post natal support with Donna - postnatal doula, baby carrying consultant, breastfeeding peer supporter, baby massage instructor and an NCT Practitioner http://www.doulad.co.uk
Fiona Bulbeck - massage, core and pelvic floor recovery, c section scar tissue massage https://www.pregnancyandbeyondcheshire.co.uk/
Pregnancy Massage with Marilyn Wale 07534 933541- discount if you mention Breathing Space Yoga
Doula, Pre and Postnatal Educator, Feeding Support and Home Birth Support - Kat https://www.facebook.com/MamaMagicKat
Female Physiotherapy including pre and postnatal pelvic issues -
Babs - Female Focus Physio www.femalefocusclinic.co.uk
Becky https://www.pelvichealth-physio.com/becky
Georgina https://www.georginabailey.co.uk/
Aqua Natal - Amanda https://www.turtletots.com/uk/location/mid-cheshire/
A range of Pre and Postnatal Support can be found at Pregnancy Baby and You, our local Cheshire Network of Independent pre and postnatal professionals - pbycheshire.org.uk
Acupuncture – The Acupuncture Shed Cath 07808 670869 info@theacupunctureshed.co.uk
Homeopathy https://AnneGabarreHomeopathy.com
Osteopathy www.siansteelosteopathy.co.uk