member stories
May 26, 2023
Consistent exercise has always been a lifestyle choice for me. When I got pregnant, I knew I wanted to continue this every trimester, but I had no idea how to change what I was already doing to be safe for pregnancy and I was afraid of doing something that wouldn’t be safe for my baby.
When I found PregActive, I was excited and relieved to have a resource that breaks down exercises for each week of travel. But what I loved more than anything else was Kerryn’s relatability in every video. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I used her birth preparation section.
Birth Preparation Exercises
Exercising in preparation for birth isn’t easy, but she teaches you how to breathe properly and embrace the discomfort that comes with each exercise, like how to get through each contraction. I must say this is huge for me!
My desire was to have an unmedicated natural delivery, but in the beginning I told myself not to set expectations for myself that would lead to disappointment or regret.
This is my first pregnancy and with that is unknown.
I choose to embrace the journey and find grace in myself along the way.
I think mindset is everything in the stages of pregnancy, and PregActive workouts have really helped with not only keeping my body moving but my mind as well.
Strong physically and mentally.
I felt strong during my pregnancy (most days), and I’m happy to say that my birth experience was amazing. Honestly surreal. In fact, I had a natural, unmedicated birth, and I honestly feel like I owe a lot to PregActive and Kerryn.
My water broke three weeks early, so the day I gave birth was unexpected. My dilation progressed quickly, so from start to finish it was a twelve hour experience.
This means the contractions came quickly and got stronger after arriving at the hospital. They started piggy back on each other pretty quickly without much of a break between each other.
As Kerryn recommends in her videos, I have various tools and resources at my disposal, but at the end of the day my breathing is the only one I use.
My Prenatal Yoga Workouts
Sitting / bouncing on my yoga ball and getting into pregnancy yoga positions was impossible for me. Working in a tub really helped me get through the transitional phase.
I chose to go the midwife route but within a hospital setting, which for me personally was one of the best decisions I made.
As Kerryn suggested, I took each contraction as it came and didn’t look too far ahead during labor. One contraction at a time. And I often remind myself that the pain is temporary, just like the burn I get from those dreaded throbbing lunges (it’s a love-hate relationship!).
I worked on breathing through the pain, while using visualization techniques. And I became vocal. I gasped and moaned with each increasing contraction.
Something about being vocal really helped.
There was a moment during my labor that my midwife instructed the nurses to flip me side to side.
I’m not sure at the time why, but it appears that my son’s heart rate is temporary. I’ll never forget the moment my midwife insisted I get down on my knees to push, which I couldn’t have done if I had had an epidural.
Days later at a checkup, my midwife told me if I hadn’t been a good pusher, I would have been sent for an emergency C section.
I 100% believe that I can only be a ‘good pusher’ because of the prep work I did through PregActive exercises; they prepared me physically and mentally for labor. I felt the equipment and the power. Thanks Kerryn & PregActive!
Basic Rehab Program
Excited to start the Postpartum Core Rehab program. And I’ll be checking back in on prenatal exercises when baby number two is sure to arrive!
