Pregnant with Pacemaker

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Has anybody ever taught a pregnant woman with a pacemaker? I am seeing a new privat client in a few days who is pregnant (that I understand about) but also has had a pacemaker since 2006. She says she doesn’t usually notice it, and her pregnancy has been without any complications so far (she’s got 3 months left). I will find out before we practice whether she’s ever out of breath or feels easily exhausted, and I’ll ask what her heart condition is/was. Can you think of anything else I ought to clarify?

Your input is much appreciated.

Namaste
Lorna
www.lornayoga.de

#2

Hello Lorna,

If this were my student I’d begin on the side of caution until I knew the student better and had cultivated a relationship with her in conjunction with her cardiologist.

No inversions and no arms over head (as in Utkatasana and Virabhadrasana I). Adho Mukha Svanasana is okay for a brief period.

Likewise it would be beneficial to the student to work the quadriceps and that would come primarily through standing poses. In the third trimester the energetics shift from containment to opening so asana would follow suit.

Additionally, gentle back bends which work the opening of the heart center and the power of the kidneys would be advised for this sort of student. If it suits your particular student only you (and she) can determine.

#3

Dear Inner Athlete,

Many thanks! Most of your suggestions are part of my pregnancy classes anyway (phew). I will incorporate a few heart openers without arms raised overhead though. Can she do setu bandhasana if she’s comfortable?
Thanks again,
L

#4

Whether she can do Setu Bandha depends on her fitness level and your observations of her in other milder back bending action. But generally speaking I see no reason for her not to go into the pose assuming you are not taking her to the version with the hands supporting the kidneys.

Perhaps the first couple of times have her do the pose and if it appears warranted slide a block under her sacrum (left to right not front to back please) and allow her to rest the sacrum there. At that point I would gently palpate her thoracic spine to feel what was moving and what was not. Then guide her gently to those places. Keep her from doing her full work until you are completely comfortable with her state of being.