Benefits of Belly Dance In Pregnancy

 

 

Benefits of Belly Dance In Pregnancy

Childbirth professionals encourage the practice of belly dance for pregnancy. And I recommend it for labor too! The music is hypnotic and can take you to an altogether different place, so you can be taken away from the anxious state-of-mind that you may find yourself in.

These are some of the benefits:

• Strengthening pelvic and deep abdominal muscles and all those muscles specifically used for giving birth, thus facilitating the process of birth and of recovery.
• Great for relaxation and relieving stress.

• Encourages the baby into a forward (anterior) lying position; optimal position for labor and birth.
• Can move a posterior baby off your back.
• Improve self-confidence and positive body-image.
• Aid and encourage good posture.
• Help maintain general fitness.
• Promote good balance and co-ordination.
• Relieves pregnancy back pain.• Improves abdominal control and awareness.
• Helps maintain pelvic floor tone and therefore reduces chances of uterine prolapse.in later life.

• Help you meet other expectant Moms if you attend a class.

Belly dancing is designed perfectly to help women’s bodies be in balance. When done during pregnancy or labor it helps the baby move into a good position ready for birth. The muscles of the uterus (womb) move the baby in a clock-wise corkscrew fashion. Belly dance moves enhance this natural action. A mom recently told me she used Belly Dance to induce her son's labor!
The leg movements are quite hard work but will strengthen your legs for labor – while dancing you need to keep your knees ‘soft’ not locked. Good exercise for the gluts, thighs and calve muscles

Be Aware:
• Please note that shimmies can stimulate your baby, so it's best to avoid them until you're near your due date. Belly dancing for pregnancy isn't recommended if you have pregnancy complications such as Gestational Diabetes, Pre-eclampsia, Placenta Previa or a history of premature labor.
• Always avoid the very sharp sudden movements, keep with the slow ones. Choose the music carefully as there are both fast and slow rhythms for belly dance.
• Avoid back bends, sharp hip twists, jumps and soften your hip drops, hip lifts & flicks during belly dancing for pregnancy.
• Keep well hydrated, drink plenty of water…it’s vigorous exercise.
• Have a small healthy snack an hour or two before dancing.
• If you feel dizzy or faint stop and sit down.