Relaxation at Montrose Maternity

Every Friday afternoon, 2-3pm, £1.00 for all pregnant women

Everyone leads a busy, stressful life these days. This doesn’t tend to change when you become pregnant. Many of us have never stopped to actively think how we could relax, unwind and generally take it easy. Pregnancy is a good time to think about this, because stress, tension and anxiety can have adverse effects, not only on the pregnant woman, but on the growing baby. For example, research has shown that babies born to women with a lot of stress in their lives tend to be smaller than those of women who were less stressed. In labour, high levels of stress hormones tend to lead to a longer, more intense labour. It has been suggested that high levels of stress hormones at the end of pregnancy could be the cause of prolonged pregnancy (over 40-41 weeks), leading to unwanted induction of labour.

Relaxation has been shown to reduce stress levels, and therefore levels of stress hormones. It is also good for reducing muscle tension. Muscle tension and stress hormones result in an increase of pain-inducing substances leading to a cycle of pain-anxiety-tension. Pain alters breathing in labour, so learning about relaxation and breathing techniques prior to labour will help many women cope better with the hard work of labour. Relaxation has been shown to increase people’s ability to tolerate pain, anxiety and panic - and it has been suggested that personal satisfaction with labour is associated with being able to control panic rather than being able to control pain.

Relaxation classes are held every Friday afternoon from 2-3pm and cost £1 per session.  Pregnant women at any stage in their pregnancy are welcome to attend all sessions. Some relaxation and breathing techniques will be covered in antenatal classes but it has been shown that regular attendance at relaxation sessions is more useful than a one-off class.