Exercises for easier labor

Nancy1250

What exercises do you recommend for easy labor, mommas?

1rst tri here
I do squats
15lb kettle swings
Modified pushups
Bicep tricep
Walking (swollen ovaries from IVZf don't allow me high intensity cardio)

Thanks!

blu-eyedwife

I think being physically "fit" helps more than any specific exercises.  I don't mean being able to bench X amount, or running a 6 minute mile, or having 2% body fat, but just being active enough to contribute. 

I'm trying to think of way to make that make sense - Labor is almost marathon like (not speaking from experience, never ran a marathon).  It's long, and exhausting.  Your body is working hard both physically and mentally.  So being in shape is going to help you with endurance, with being able to push (which is especially exhausting if you have had a long labor), and with recovery after. 

ajbook

When we were trying to get LO to drop further during labor the nurses told me to do squats, lunges with one foot on the bed and the other on the floor, and exercises on all fours like dog pointers.

vrj0522

I agree with pp, that being in good shape will help with labor, as well as with recovery. There are many great benefits for the baby too so any exercise you can get in is great.

If you cannot do high intensity, I would suggest the elliptical, yoga, and weight training. You already mention some of the moves above but any of them are great. 

I do know that squats (all positions) are highly recommended for labor as well as walking so those are especially important as you get into the last few weeks of pregnancy. Also, kegels.