Expectant mothers in Midland have a new opportunity to enhance their wellness and connect with others through The Birth Center’s Prenatal Yoga class. The classes will be held most Saturdays until October at the Stage Pavilion in Centennial Park, 200 W Wall St., with the next session scheduled for this Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.
Laura Smith, Business Director at The Birth Center, highlighted the numerous benefits of prenatal yoga for both pregnant women and their babies. “Prenatal yoga can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while also improving sleep quality,” Smiths said. “It helps increase strength, flexibility, and endurance, and can alleviate lower back pain, nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath.”
Smith further noted that prenatal yoga can contribute to a more positive labor experience. “It can help you relax and stay positive during labor, potentially reducing the duration and increasing the odds of a normal vaginal birth,” she said.
Additionally, for women with gestational diabetes, yoga may help lower blood sugar levels.
Another key benefit of yoga for expectant moms, Smith said, is its role in optimizing fetal positioning. “Prenatal yoga can help move your baby into the Left Occiput Anterior (LOA) position, which is believed to be one of the best positions for delivery,” she said.
Beyond the physical benefits, the classes also offer a sense of community. “This is an opportunity for moms-to-be to connect with others, building a supportive network during pregnancy,” Smith said. “Our goal is community outreach and providing pregnant women with an easy way to stay fit and build connections.”
In addition to prenatal yoga, Smith advises pregnant women to educate themselves about childbirth through resources such as Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth or Birth Without Fear. The Birth Center also offers childbirth education classes and the option to hire a doula for comprehensive support throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period.
“We are giving Midland another choice for birth,” Smith said, highlighting the center's role as a viable alternative to hospital births. “So many women desire an alternative to hospital birth, and before we opened, the only option was home birth without Nurse Midwives.”
The Birth Center offers a balanced approach, providing homebirths as well as a supportive environment for low-intervention births. “Our center is designed to support women and their birth plans,” Smith said. “Our ‘beyond birth’ offerings, like classes, yoga, and gynecological care, really help women enter motherhood confidently and supported.”
For specific dates of the prenatal yoga classes, interested individuals can check The Birth Center’s Instagram and website. Typically, three to 12 participants attend each session.
For more information, visit The Birth Center’s social media platforms or their official website.