Maternal Support: Perinatal Yoga |23 March 2022

In the following interview, we learn about Perinatal Yoga with Loréa Rassool, midwife and founder of ‘Loréa Sage-femme’ midwifery practice. Mrs Rassool also works twice a week at the Seychelles Hospital, mainly in the Labour Room.

Seychelles NATION: What made you decide to train in and offer Perinatal Yoga?  

Loréa Rassool: When I came back from France in June 2011 after graduating, I started working at the Seychelles Hospital in the Antenatal ward and Labour Room. I realised that women who were giving birth in Seychelles had to give birth naturally and did not have access to the epidural. In France I was used to seeing nearly all of the patients use an epidural to help them during labour.

An epidural is an injection given in your back to stop you feeling the pain in some specific part of your body and during child birth it relieves the patient from the sensation of the contraction. For those who have had a C-section, it is more or less the same procedure, but with the epidural you get relief for as long as the labour lasts. If labour lasts 3 hours, your epidural will work the same way as if it lasts 10 hours. You are able to feel and give birth to your baby when the time arrives of course.

I thought that as a midwife, as someone who was also doing yoga personally and was really passionate about it, I had to see how I could bring it into my practice. I had to be able to help the patients but I also had to find options and techniques to prepare them for labour, help them control and move their body naturally and easily on the day of their delivery.

I knew all the benefits that yoga was bringing me as a person. So I did some research and in June 2012 I decided to do a special training in France that is especially for midwives. The course was called “YOGA en Périnatalité” which means Perinatal Yoga; it englobes the pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. As I like to say, I am not a Yoga Teacher who teaches yoga to pregnant women, I am a midwife who teaches yoga.

Seychelles NATION: What can a person expect to happen during Perinatal Yoga classes?

Loréa Rassool: Before the first yoga class, I have to see the patient for a consultation (this can be done by zoom if easier for the patient). I fill up a file with all the medical information that a midwife would normally ask to follow a pregnancy and all the medical results that the patients have. The consultation normally lasts between 45-60 minutes; it is a way to meet each other and also answer any questions the patient might have.

We discuss about the pregnancy itself but also the time before the pregnancy, how the patient is seeing the birth of her child, her doubts, expectations, wishes or fears if she has any. With all this information, we are able to work more specifically and adjust and adapt depending on the situation.

Pregnant women can start whenever they want and feel comfortable. The patient will decide how often she wishes to have classes but as I often say it is important to have some consistency and regularity. They can come with their partner if they wish to do so.

The classes are mostly done outside at the beach or in their garden; we try to enjoy nature and fresh air which we are lucky to have in Seychelles. A class lasts one hour where the patient has time to ask any questions even if not directly related to pregnancy. During the hour, the pregnant patient has time for herself; it is a time to focus on her baby and switch off from work or any stress that she might have.

At the first class we take time to adjust posture to prevent any discomfort that might happen with the uterus growing and the modification of her weight. We also talk about the diet which has to be healthy and about what needs to be monitored. I often check how they stand, how they sit at the office and how they sleep so we can adjust and make sure that they also take care of their perineum. After that we put the base of the breathing techniques that we will be using during all the sessions, and adjust and change depending on the gestational weeks of the patient.

The whole idea is that the patient stays active, feels confident, relaxed, ready and sure of herself; women are strong and powerful and they are made to give birth to their child.

Postnatal or postpartum yoga can be started as early as 4-6 weeks after delivery. The patient will also decide on when to start and what hours work better for her. The sessions last around 50 minutes and the baby can join us if her mother wishes to.

It is a great time to address issues or concerns she might have regarding her newborn, the postnatal period or breastfeeding for example. We also start working on the perineum and exercises specific for the pelvic floor. The patient takes time for herself after many weeks, often being very busy with her newborn.

Seychelles NATION: What are the benefits of Perinatal Yoga?

Loréa Rassool: Prenatal yoga has a lot of benefits; it will help:

-           Improve strength and flexibility

-           Reduce stress and anxiety

-           Decrease lower back pain, nausea , headaches and shortness of breath

-           Decrease constipation and bloating

-           You socialise and meet other pregnant women (if you decide to join a group class)

-           Prepare for childbirth and to enjoy the journey into motherhood

Postnatal or postpartum yoga also have a lot of benefits:

-           Increase calmness

-           Decrease anxiety and depression

-           Reduce irritability and anger

-           Increase energy

-           Lower blood pressure

-           Reduce muscle tension

Seychelles NATION: It is said that certain exercises or movements are not recommended during the prenatal and postnatal periods. Can you share your knowledge about this?

Loréa Rassool: Yes, it is important to be careful about the kind of exercise you do and how you do it. The first thing is to listen to your body and to have classes with a professional who knows what can be done or what is not possible.

I like to always tell my patients “you are not sick, you are pregnant.” Of course each patient is different and they might not be able to do the same postures or exercises all at the same time, but that is why I make sure to have a prenatal consultation first to know the risks, the patient and her wishes.

Seychelles NATION: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? 

Loréa Rassool: I think it is imperative that pregnant ladies stay active during their pregnancy. Studies have shown that it is beneficial physically and mentally for them and their babies, for their pregnancy, for the delivery, and for the postnatal period. If they are not sure about the kind of exercise to do, they can always ask their health professional.

* The accompanying pictures are those which some of Mrs Rassool’s patients have agreed to share, and show the patients during their prenatal yoga classes.

For more information, contact Loréa Sage-femme:

-           Facebook: @loreasagefemme

-           Instagram: @loreasagefemme

-           Email: loreasf@gmail.com

-           Telephone/WhatsApp: 00 248 2510 155

F.P.

Photo sources: Loréa Rassool