13/07/2026
One of the most profound researches I discovered recently: REGULAR WORKOUTS REDUCE FEAR BY 60% (sixty percent!!!).
Now: when we know about the fear-tension-pain cycle in Birth, we know that this is huge!! In Birth any one of these there factors (fear, tension or pain) can be highjacked or turned around into its opposite:
fear into trust/ confidence -
tension into relaxation -
pain into ease!
“Higher levels of fear and anxiety are associated with lower levels of physical activity.”
For you - especially as an expectant mother and to anyone who wants to stay powerful - this truly means:
Enjoy your regular workouts and your birth is so much more likely to become easier and healthier as well - not just because your muscles are stronger but because you tricked your nervous system into resilience.
The magic is quite straightforward: For someone who is rather sedentary, rolling on the couch and avoiding rigorous workouts, labour - which mimics high intensity exercises - causes rapid heart rate, heavy breathing, muscular burning and sweating. These sudden physical sensations can feel like big DANGER, causing a panic attack, sparking acute fear und even helplessness during labour.
An active pregnant woman on the other hand who has safely raised her heart rate during prenatal workouts regularly, recognises these sensations. Her brain (subconscious as well as conscious part) tells her “Hey, this is simply hard work, we can do this. Easy!”. So she stays much more relaxed, confident and at ease.
Convincing? Want more? Here:
Let s get back to the simple fact that steady workouts will give you stronger muscles.
It’s all for a higher purpose because: higher physical activity during pregnancy is clinically linked to a shorter duration of birth.
Strengthening the core, lower back and deep abdominal muscles gives you, the mother the physical stamina required for especially the second (pushing) stage of birth (in case of absence of the fetal ejection reflex).
And if you still need one more argument to get you moving:
Regular exercise improves placental efficiency. Meaning; your baby gets better provisions esp with oxygen, right now - as it might be kicking from inside to get you on your feet. An efficient placenta also increases the baby's tolerance to the natural physical stress and temporary oxygen dips that occur during uterine contractions.
Exercise leaves us - like the marathon runner - with a higher amount of endorphins and they teach the body that cortisol can spike when used in physical activity but that is can also go wonderfully and relaxingly low during the rest of the time. - The reason why Marathon runners are just so cool people.
So - TODAY - take your pick or take all three:
A) YOGA AND PILATES to open you for this deep, diaphragmatic breathing whilst holding physically challenging asanas (poses). Endurance needed for birth will be very similar. Ever thought of your birth as just another Yoga Class?
B) Water… SWIMMING, WATER AEROBICS. - Float - just like your precious baby inside you. For you submersion means relieving joint pressure, easing backaches and being in this “held” environment to work with your breath - rhythmic and deeeeeeep breath.
C) STRENGTH TRAINING to build the strength required for active birthing positions like squatting or kneeling which are best for making baby come with the help of gravity. Surely, you can enjoy a few light to moderate weight dumbbells to build your leg, hip and core strength. I know you can!
And remember: on the other side of every session is the endorphin cocktails that keeps you looking forward to the arrival of your little one with a more joyful and free heart.
FEAR IS A GREAT MASTER: Don t just ignore it, don’t just fight it, don’t just push it away. Take the lesson that it tries to teach us and dance more with life. Smile at fear and FEAR WILL KNOW: 'IT IS TIME FOR ME TO GO.'
Happy to provide you with any research sources on request
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let’s cheer with endorphine cocktails any time!
