Birth Story: “The awesome experience of giving birth”

Congratulations to Kirsten on the arrival of her son, Maxfield! This mama experienced a speedy labor,  and points to prenatal yoga as an important part of her body’s prep:

The strength I summoned to push Max out, was more than any goddess pose ever required, but was clearly possible because I was strong and healthy as I went into labor.

From goddess pose in class to goddess giving birth, you did it, Kirsten! (And Cynthia, what a sweet and well-deserved love note to the teacher!)

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

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Cynthia,

I wanted to write and send a heartfelt thank you for the support, information, and challenge you provided during my pregnancy. The Saturday prenatal yoga class at Blooma (St. Paul) was such an important part of my self-care, of building my confidence, and of strengthening my body. Being led by you, an enthusiastic doula and supporter of women, made it all the more wonderful.

My son Maxfield Timothy was born Dec. 16 at 2:24 a.m. after only six hours of labor and 20 minutes of pushing.  As you’ll remember, last time I came to class I was dilated to 4 cm and 80% effaced.

On the day I went into labor, at 39 weeks and 4 days, I visited the midwife and was dilated to 6 cm and 90% effaced.  My body did so much of the work in advance of “officially” going into labor that I got to have an intense, powerful and short birth. I gave birth entirely naturally and in fact would not describe the experience as painful, intense yes, a total mental marathon yes, but not painful.

So many things helped me prepare for the awesome experience of giving birth, prenatal yoga was incredibly important. I breathed my way through the many nights of 1 or 2 hours of contractions I had as my body made it’s way to 6 cm dilation, often on my yoga mat.

During my actual labor, I was in the hands and knees position for the most intense part of transition and the first part of my pushing. The strength I summoned to push Max out, was more than any goddess pose ever required, but was clearly possible because I was strong and healthy as I went into labor.

Thank you for your part in my pregnancy and birth.  I feel blessed to have had so many supporters, and to count you among them.

-Kirsten

Kirsten's birth team, her husband and best friend, surround her as she holds Max for the first time.

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Tags: birth story, cynthia levine, prenatal yoga minneapolis, prenatal yoga st. paul