BELLY DANCING DURING PREGNANCY IS A HOT TOPIC IN THE MEDIA!*

TELEVISION INTERVIEW LAURA LeROY ON NBC, CH. 12, KPNX
VIDEO LINK - Laura LeRoy, Founder and President of Birthdancing 
speaks about the benefits of the program at tThe Women's Ultimate
Expo held at the Phoenix Convention Center, October 17, 2009. A 9
month pregnant student demonstrates the bellydance-inspired moves.

MAGAZINE ARTICLE LAURA LeROY INTERVIEWED BY SHIMMY MAGAZINE - Belly Dance for Pregnancy and Birth by Corinne L. Casazza July 2009 Issue. Read full article here.

BLOGS Yahoo Health Experts Excerpt below:

Belly Dancing in Pregnancy By Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. -Posted on Wed, Feb 20, 2008 

"I was on the local television news recently to comment on women learning to belly dance in pregnancy -- whether it is safe, and what the trend is all about. So before I was going to be quoted, I did a little research about belly dancing.

For me, belly dancing initially conjured up seductive moves done as a performance, part of a hedonistic evening aimed at men. But as I learned about it, I understood that belly dancing probably originated as an activity that women did for each other, to help with childbirth.

Women assisting a mother in labor may have danced for her, mesmerizing her with the rhythms and swaying. The laboring woman could copy these moves, helping the baby move down the birth canal to get into position for delivery. I went to YouTube and found some beautiful videos of pregnant women celebrating their bodies and the achievement of birth. 

Groups of dancers are bringing belly dancing back as a pregnancy ritual, even performing while pregnant. But is it safe to move like that when you are expecting? Belly dancing strengthens your core and upper legs, muscles that can be very helpful during late pregnancy and labor. As long as it feels good and doesn't put a strain on your back, belly dancing during pregnancy should be good for you -- even if you aren't particularly in shape.

Belly dancing classes for pregnant women are available in some locations, or find videos so that you can learn on your own. You can also take a class not aimed specifically for pregnant women. If this sounds appealing (and your doctor or midwife has no objections), go for it! Belly dancing is a beautiful way to celebrate your growing body and prepare for the physical challenges of childbirth." 

TELEVISION  ABC GOOD MORNING AMERICA Excerpt below:

HIPS DON’T LIE IN BELLY-DANCING BIRTHS: BELLY DANCING IS THE LATEST TREND IN LABOR, JANUARY 1, 2008  “The marriage of belly dancing and birthing is perfectly normal, according to midwife DeeDee Folkerts, who has taken belly dancing's ancient technique and applied it to childbirth. "Every time I saw a woman give birth, I saw her do something that I was learning in my class. Whether it be an undulation of the belly or a circle of the hips or a wiggle of the hips, it was instinctual to them to do that," Folkerts said. Instead of practicing special breathing patterns such as Lamaze, Folkerts encourages women to connect their mind and body to ease the delivery. "Women tell me across the board that they feel more prepared for labor. They feel that they are more mindful," she said. "They feel like when labor begins, they are going to know how to work with their labor." One doctor said the sway of belly dancing actually can aid during childbirth by helping to position the baby. "I do encourage women to move their bodies in ways that help bring flexibility to their pelvis during early labor and actually sometimes during the pushing stage," said natural birth expert Dr. Elizabeth Alleman."

TELEVISION NEWS CHANNEL 5 KSCK - VIDEO LINK
"Many first-time moms admit to being a little nervous during their pregnancy and delivery. Now, some are finding reassurance in an unusual and unconventional way: through belly dancing."

NEWSPAPER STORIES The Wall Street Journal ran a front page story about the benefits of belly dancing during labor and delivery.  
Excerpt below - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118618710665287942.html  

New Labor Moves: Belly Dancing Hits Delivery Room, August 4, 2007
by Rachel Zimmerman, “Helping Jennifer Wright through labor in the delivery room of Columbia, Mo., birthing center in February were her doctor, her husband – and her belly-dance instructor. ‘I danced my way through labor,’ says the mother of three. Her husband says he learned that belly dancing ‘is more than just entertainment. It has a higher purpose.’ Some belly dance moves mirror those of labor. The idea is that the pelvic gyrations help disperse the pain of contractions, orient the fetus and propel the baby into the world. In early labor, when contractions are relatively mild, the expectant mother may find comfort in dancing slowly and hypnotically, using hip circles, crescents and figure eights. As labor gets more intense, the movements may progress to a rapid rocking of the pelvis from side to side – a technique known a the shimmy – to help position the baby correctly and relax the pelvic floor. In the final phase of pushing, a full body undulation … can help the baby move into the birth canal.”

MAGAZINE ARTICLES Scottsdale Republic - Scottsdale Living ran a feature story about the benefits of belly dancing for pregnancy fitness and wellness. Excerpt below:

Birth Dancing for Maternal fitness and wellness, June 19, 2009 “The Eclectic mix of techniques found in the Birthdancing method are a convergence of ancient Eastern healing practices: Yoga, reflexology, aromatherapy, mantras(positive affirmations), meditation, breathing techniques, and modern Western science...During the last 10 years of her 25-year career as a professional belly dancer and dance instructor, Laura LeRoy researched and studied the effects of belly dancing on pregnancy. She taught and worked with pregnant dancers, nurse midwives, birth educators, physical therapists and obstetricians in New York before moving to Scottsdale to launch Birthdancing in the Phoenix area."

MAGAZINE ARTICLES Time Magazine ran a feature story about the benefits of belly dancing in the delivery room. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1655705,00.html+  Excerpt below:

Not  Your Mom's Lamaze Class, August 23, 2007 by Elisabeth Salemme, “As the growing popularity of belly dancing ripples across the U.S. the ancient art  form is also being practiced by moms-to-be t stay fit and ease their way through labor...belly dancing’s pelvic gyrations strengthen the muscles that are most important for labor and help position the baby for delivery. But is it safe? ‘Yes’, says Dr. Sue Kelly Sayegh, Associate Professor of Maternal-fetal Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk.  Low-impact exercise is recommended 5 to 7 days per week during pregnancy. She says, ‘The art of breathing while doing other things is an excellent preparation for labor."

MEDICAL JOURNALS  Medical News Today, a weekly online medical newsletter published this article.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79039.php  Excerpt below:

Women Using Belly Dancing, Other Techniques During Childbirth, August 9, 2007  “According to anthropologist Sheila Kitzinger, belly dancing originated as a childbirth ritual…Cathy Moore, a midwife at Brigham and Women’s Hospital who is involved with a bellydancing group, has been introducing belly dancing to pregnant women and birth specialists. James Greenberg, Chair of Obstetrics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said that although the proven benefits of belly dancing as a childbirth aid are unclear, there is ‘certainly no scientific reason to think it’s bad.’ Greenberg added that, ‘if it makes [pregnant women] feel good and it’s safe—do it.’”

YOU TUBE VIDEOS OF PREGNANT WOMEN BELLY DANCING

Belly Dance for Birth
Pregnancy Celebration Belly Dance Performance
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance 

DANCE JOURNALS: BEDOUIN AND BERBER BIRTHING RITES
Dancing The Baby Into The World,  Habibi: Winter ’96 Vol 15, No.1 by Morocco
http://www.casbahdance.org/GIVE2LIGHT.htm

BOOKS ON BELLY DANCING AND PREGNANCY
Belly Dance for Birth

INSTRUCTIONAL DVD'S

  
Click for Preview                

 

*The media coverage found on this page does not indicate an endorsement of Zohar Birthdancing. This information is for educational purposes only.