Alexander Technique and pregnancy

During pregnancy, low back pain is a common complaint among pregnant women. A pregnant woman has to deal with the increased forward weight of the growing baby during her pregnancy. The usual tendency is to lean back at the waist, but this puts pressure on the sacrum and lower back, causing low back pain. As the baby grows during pregnancy and occupies more of internal space, the woman's other organs become compressed and she may experience digestive problems and shortness of breath.

The Alexander Technique can help pregnant women distribute the baby's weight through the entire body. As daily activities become more difficult during pregnancy, the Alexander Technique can also help pregnant women move efficiently and comfortably.

Alexander Technique lessons will show you how to sit and squat comfortably, to release the pelvic floor and to work with gravity as the baby descends through the birth canal. The Alexander Technique can also teach you to counter the natural tendency to tense the whole body during painful contractions.

As the baby grows, both parents are suddenly called on to lift at awkward angles and carry the baby, usually in tense positions for prolonged periods. The principles of the Alexander Technique will help you meet the physical and emotional demands and enjoy the rewards of family life.

Start your Alexander journey with Kate Fun MSTAT. Based in Crouch End, Kate teaches in the vicinity of Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Finsbury Park, Highgate, and within easy reach of surrounding North London areas such as Wood Green and Hampstead. She has first-hand experience in applying the Alexander Technique in pregnancy, and can advise expectant mothers on how to look after themselves and their baby during pregnancy, labour movements, and post-birth care.

The Alexander Technique for pregnancy

Alexander Technique Lessons in Crouch End, Finsbury Park and Muswell Hill

Lessons in the Alexander Technique are an excellent preparation for pregnancy and childbirth. The Technique is gentle and safe to learn in pregnancy. It is best to begin lessons early so that you gradually begin to incorporate the technique into your daily life before using it in the more extreme and challenging situation of giving birth.

Good for you, good for your baby

Learning to sit, stand and move with greater ease and balance will help you adjust to your shifting centre of gravity and take the pressure off your back and joints.

When you use yourself well the baby has more space to grow and will be more likely to get into the optimal position for birth (head down).

During labour

Many of the positions you learn in an Alexander lesson are very useful in labour as they use gravity to assist the baby's descent through the birth canal. Breathing out gently through contractions will help you cope with the pain so that you don't react by tightening up even more and making it worse.

Looking after yourself and your baby post-birth

The technique can help you cope with the demands of looking after a baby - helping you conserve your energy and use your body without unnecessary strain as you lift, carry and nurse your baby.

Learning to look after your back and sitting in a balanced way will help you avoid tightening up in your shoulders and arms as you feed your baby.

The semi-supine position is an important part of lessons and once learnt, you can practise daily to help let go of accumulated tension and re-energise yourself.

Recommended books on the Alexander Technique and Childbirth:

The Alexander Technique Birth Book, Ilana Machover and Angela & Jonathan Drake, Robinson Publishing (1993)

The Alexander Technique for Pregnancy and Childbirth, Brita Forsstrom and Mel Hampson, Victor Gollancz (1995)

Further information

The Alexander Technique in Natural Childbirth and Natural Labour Pains by Ilana Machover

The Alexander Technique Birth Book, Ilana Machover and Angela & Jonathan Drake, Robinson Publishing (1993)

About FM Alexander Comments on the Technique

Sitting in balance

Standing in balance

Resting on gym ball in between contractions

Kate Fun is an Alexander Technique teacher and gives lessons to students from Crouch End (N8), Muswell Hill (N10), Finsbury Park (N4), Wood Green (N22) and surrounding areas.
Discover the same benefits the Alexander Technique has brought to others!

Alexander Technique in Crouch End, Muswell Hill

Alexander Technique and pregnancy

Kate Fun