Today, unfortunately, pregnancies that occur completely smoothly, with absolutely no complications, are less and less common. There can be many reasons for this. But even with the easiest and “right” pregnancy, the gynecologist can recommend the expectant mother to take a knee-elbow pose several times a day. The question is, is it really that useful? And what exactly is the benefit of this exercise? Let's understand why it is so necessary to take the knee-elbow position during pregnancy.
In most women, the position of the fetus during pregnancy meets all the norms that are provided by nature itself, that is, upside down. But there are times when the fetus is located incorrectly. It can be oblique, pelvic or transverse presentation of the fetus. In this case, it is recommended that you use the knee-elbow pose - in this case, there is a chance that the child will be able to roll over and take the right position before childbirth. In addition, the knee-elbow posture helps to relax the muscles of the uterus, thereby providing it with a resting state.
Usually, doctors advise taking the knee-elbow position during pregnancy several times a day for 12 to 15 minutes, starting from the second trimester. In this position, breathing becomes easier, the spine feels a significant unloading. The blood supply to the fetus is improving, and this indicator is very important, since it is with the blood that the child gets all the necessary substances and useful elements from which the "construction" of his future skeleton comes. This simple exercise can be repeated as often as the pregnant woman considers it necessary — here, as they say, there is no harm, one good for both the mother and the child.
Knee-elbow posture during pregnancy is not something complicated, and it will not be difficult to perform it. You need to get on all fours and take such a position that the pelvis is above the head. To do this, lower your head and shoulders as low as possible so that the posture you take does not cause inconvenience. For greater comfort, you can put a roller or pillow under your chest. Some women recall that during pregnancy they practically lived in this position - they watched TV, talked on the phone and even ate. What to do if only in the knee-elbow posture there was a feeling of fatigue and pressure on the lower part of the spine.
The elbow-elbow position during pregnancy is often recommended to expectant mothers to relieve various kinds of stagnation in the kidneys. Such phenomena can occur during the growth of the uterus, which can pinch the ureter during pregnancy and the urine becomes quite difficult to get into the bladder. This situation helps to reduce uterine tone, reduces the risk of edema, and helps women who suffer from hemorrhoids. With the knee-elbow position, the load and pressure of the uterus on the lower intestines decreases, it also helps to prevent gestosis.
Useful knee-elbow position during pregnancy and the fact that helps unload the uterine artery and inferior vena cava. During pregnancy, the uterus can squeeze blood vessels, which can lead to a deterioration in the supply of oxygen to the fetus, which leads to a violation of the heart rhythm during auscultation (listening). And this position improves the oxygenation (oxygen supply) of the fetus.
Another positive aspect of the knee-elbow posture during pregnancy is the weakening of pressure on the spine, which carries a large load, and the abdominal cavity. The spine at this time is released from this load, getting a little respite.