Benefits of Squats while Pregnant to Encourage Labor
In the third trimester, Mama must be impatient to pick up your little one
Pregnancy is a blessing. It is a time to rejoice in the creation of new life. By the end of the third trimester, most pregnant women are ready to hold their baby in a loving hug.
Our bodies may be designed to hold a baby, but that doesn’t mean everything is fun and smooth. As childbirth approaches, our bodies get bigger and heavier. Simple work can be an impossible job to do. Sleep feels like a fight and your little one’s kicks to the ribs can be painful.
For pregnant women who are close to their due date of birth, labor cannot come soon enough. Likewise, if Mama has passed the due date of birth. There are of course a number of medical steps that can be taken to induce labor. But isn’t it better to let nature do its job?
There are many natural ways to stimulate labor during late pregnancy, one of which is doing squat. This exercise is believed to be able to prepare you for labor.
How to do it squat to stimulate labor and what should you pay attention to? But the important thing is to discuss it with a gynecologist who knows your mother’s condition before doing it.
Here’s a review Popmama.com regarding the benefits of doing squat as a natural induction. Anything, huh?
Benefits of Squats to Stimulate Labor
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Exercise is good for your health during pregnancy. One of which is squat which is believed to be a natural induction during late pregnancy. Here are some of the benefits of doing so squat:
- American Pregnancy Association recommend squatting during labor. According to them, squat can open the pelvic outlet by up to 10 percent.
- When you squat down to induce labor, this creates more room for the baby to move down the birth canal.
- Squatting during the third trimester helps strengthen the leg muscles. Strong legs are a must when it comes to labor and a final push to give birth.
- According to a study, squatting can reduce delivery time by up to 11 minutes.
- Squat during pregnancy can relieve constipation and pressure on the pelvic floor, a blessing during the last few weeks of pregnancy mom.
Numerous studies have shown that free movement during labor can make labor shorter and easier. With the force of gravity during childbirth, the baby has a greater chance of going out and meeting Mama sooner.
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How to Squat Late in Pregnancy
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Squat is one of the easiest exercises you can try during pregnancy. Here’s a step by step guide to help Mama:
- Stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
- Lower your body until your hips are just a few inches above the floor.
- Maintain balance during the last few weeks of pregnancy. Mama can ask for help from her husband to oversee.
- Make sure your heels are flat on the floor when you squat.
- Now get back up to its original position.
Repeat several times as long as you feel comfortable. But don’t push yourself beyond your body’s capabilities, Ma.
What to Look For Before Squatting
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While squatting to induce labor is harmless in most cases, you need to keep a few things in mind.
If the fetus is breech, squat proved dangerous. This is because squat will force him to go down the birth canal without giving him a chance to move into the correct position. So talk to your doctor to make sure the fetus’s head is down before you do this exercise.
It’s also important to discuss other complications with your doctor before you do squat to induce labor.
Squat is something you can do any time during pregnancy. At first, this will help build a strong core to help carry the fetus in the belly for full term. Then it will help induce labor. But never rely solely on exercise to induce labor if you are past your due date. Talk to your doctor about how long you should wait.
Other Ways to Stimulate Labor in Late Pregnancy
Pexels / Dana Tentis
Apart from exercise, certain foods and drinks are also believed to stimulate labor. Here are some foods and drinks that you can consume:
- Pineapple,
- dates,
- spicy food,
- basil and oregano,
- leaf tea raspberries red,
- black licorice.
That’s the benefit of squats during pregnancy to induce labor. Before doing sports and consuming food or drink to encourage labor, know your condition first. Talk to your doctor about the most appropriate method for Mama. Good luck, Ma!
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