Benefits of Meditation—biological and emotional—pass to a child in the womb through the pregnant woman’s bloodstream.[1]

Happy-Mothers-Day

A study by the Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation in India found that daily Yoga and Meditation during pregnancy seems to improve birth weight, reduce premature births, and lessen overall medical complications for newborns[2].

Reduced Anxiety and Stress[3]

Anxiety suppresses the body’s health functioning, especially in terms of the immune system. Anxiety and stress are common accompaniments to pregnancy, with definite side effects. Anxiety during pregnancy may:

  • Lead to low birth weight
  • Increase the complications of labor
  • Increase the risk for miscarriage
  • Increase the risk of birth defects
  • Lead to premature delivery
  • Increase use of prescription medications
  • Make pain worse during labor d
  • Stress family members

Meditation is a safe way to reduce anxiety and restore the normal functioning of the immune system during pregnancy and childbirth[4].

Anxiety also reduces pain tolerance. Meditation not only increases pain tolerance by reducing stress hormones, it also helps the body produce endorphins, which go beyond relieving pain to enhancing pleasure.

More Endorphins

Endorphins include Enkephalins and Dynorphins, substances associated with feelings of pleasure, sexuality/sensually, euphoria and pain relief. Essentially, endorphins promote a sort of “bliss,” providing a sense of well-being. Low levels of endorphins are associated with the opposite effects: physical and emotional pain

Endorphins have a powerful pain-relieving and pleasure-enhancing effect. As pain increases during labor, endorphins also increase to help mediate the pain. The more a woman meditates during pregnancy the higher her endorphin level will be during delivery[5].

Enhanced DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced by your body’s adrenal glands.

DHEA is a hormone with many life-enhancing benefits[6]:

  • Enhances the immune system[7]
  • Defends against certain diseases
  • Enhances Vitality and Youthfulness
  • Reduces Stress and Anxiety
  • Improves Mood
  • Balances Brain Chemistry
  • Benefits Vision, Hearing, Muscles, and Bones
  • Regulates Blood Pressure

Since Meditation elevates levels of DHEA in the body, a pregnant woman who meditates presents her womb child with all the vital benefits of this hormone.

Increased Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland , a small gland in the brain. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. Very small amounts of it are found in foods such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. You can also buy it as a supplement[8].

Melatonin is well known to boost the immune system and overall health. It has a calming effect, improving mood and enhancing contentment and a sense of wellbeing[9].

Research at the University Of Massachusetts Medical Center confirmed that Meditation heightens levels of Melatonin[10]. This means Mother and Womb Baby grow calmer and happier through Meditation.

Better Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

Meditation reduces Heart Rate and Blood Pressure, in turn lowering the risk of Pre-Clampsia(potentially dangerous pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure) and pre-term damage to the brain.

Less Caesarian Section and Epidural Anesthesia

Meditation can reduce the need for surgery, drugs, and anesthesia during delivery. Research shows that among Pregnant Meditators the rate of Caesarean Section Surgery went down by 56 percent and the use of epidural anesthesia went down by 85 percent[11].

Enhanced Connection between Mother and Child

Certain types of Meditation can help women feel more connected to their babies while they are in the womb. When a woman’s mind becomes calmer and more focused, she can concentrate on her womb baby, helping her bond with the baby. According to one Meditation instructor finds that women feel calmer after Meditation and enjoy doing it. One woman told her that her baby moves gently “as if responding to mom’s emotions.”

Most women who are pregnant are eager to do whatever they can to make sure their child gets the best possible start at life. Meditation is one potent way to optimize both the mother’s and the womb baby’s health and strengthen the bond between mother and child. The effects of Meditation on pregnancy can have long lasting effects, not only on mother and child, but also on everyone in the family.

How to Meditate During Pregnancy[12]

deep

Deep Belly Meditation

 

 

Place your hands on your belly, gently cradling the baby. Observe the sensations felt beneath your hands. Breathe slowly, inhale and exhale. If a thought arises, let it float away, as if it were a cloud in the sky.

Try doing this for five minutes each day, gradually adding more time each week.

Mantra Chanting[13]

 

  • Adi Shakti: for Strength of the Feminine: The Adi Shakti Mantra invokes the power of the feminine, the creative force. This is a great mantra to use in preparation for birth and throughout pregnancy.  It connects to the highest manifestation of the mother.

 

Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Namo Namo

Sarab Shakti, Sarab Shakti, Sarab Shakti, Namo Namo

Pritham Bhagvati, Pritham Bhagvati, Pritham Bhagvati, Namo Namo

Kundalini Mata Shakti, Mata Shakti, Namo Namo

 

  • Gaytri Mntra: creates a space of healing inside and out. When chanting this mantra, project healing to any situation or person who needs it.  Imagine healing blessings surrounding yourself, your baby, and the world.

Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ

tát savitúr váreṇyaṃ

bhárgo devásya dhīmahi dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt

Concept Meditation

 

Concept meditation is a technique where you visualise a concept or object. This can include the waves of the sea, a blue sky, a flower, leaf, crystal, pebble, a Religious God or your growing baby.

Walking Meditation

 

Walking meditation can calm your restless mind. Walk around a chosen spot (pleasant meadows, parks or home backyard) and, as you move, concentrate on your breathing and your pace.

Ask your partner to take you out for a small walk so you both can also spend some quality time with each other.

 

Precautions

While practicing Meditation during Pregnancy make sure to keep a stable breathing pattern. If at any point you start puffing, you should discontinue Meditation and take a moment to relax and catch your breath.

[1] http://eocinstitute.org/meditation/meditation-benefits-for-pregnancy/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15865489

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4447112/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4336321/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2170475/

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16617690

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9008662

[8] www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview

[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1325257/

[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4769029/

[11] http://www.thecrystalcabin.co.uk/m/Pregnacy-Maternity-Meditation.html

[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3424788/

[13] http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/mantra-chanting-top-5-mantras-shabads-for-pregnancy/