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I’m a Mom of 4—barre3 Is My Secret to My Best Labor Ever
Olivia Brochu is a freelance writer and Barre3 Lehigh Valley member living in Allentown, PA. Her work has been featured by Business Insider, Anti-Heroin Chic, Motherly and more. Find more of her work at oliviabrochuwrites.com.
My living room was uncharacteristically quiet and still when my fourth labor started. My neighbors’ homes were dark, my three sons were fast asleep, and my husband was on standby in our bedroom. I was ready to be alone, to field the waves of contractions with the breathwork I had practiced. As I timed each contraction, and saw a pattern emerge, I thought to myself: You can do hard things. You can do anything for one minute.
It was a mantra I had learned from my barre3 instructors. And I knew it was true, because I had proven these words to myself time and time again in the studio. Though I knew this experience would be painful, the power in these simple phrases kept me grounded and calm.
Finally, in my fourth pregnancy, I achieved the labor and delivery of my dreams. I had always wanted to stay home as long as possible, but I had needed to be induced in all of my previous pregnancies. I also prefer to go without intervention, if possible, but I had twice gotten an epidural when I felt unprepared for the intensity of my contractions.
This time, my body and mind were in better shape than ever. That was thanks to barre3 — my secret to the best labor and delivery.
Before finding barre3, I was a regular runner. And while I love to run even now, it wasn’t an exercise I could maintain while pregnant. Usually by five months in, my pace had slowed to a walk. I still craved movement, but walking was never as fulfilling or energizing as the more rigorous exercise I was used to.
After my third son was born, some friends suggested I try a barre3 class. My first hour in the studio went by in a blink. I was immediately addicted to how strong and happy I felt afterwards.
I was amazed about a year later when I could easily keep attending regular classes while pregnant once again. All of my instructors were quick to offer modifications to protect my changing body. And the women I had been working out with (often at 6:00 in the morning!) were so kind and invested in my prenatal experience.
By my third trimester, I was in the studio for a barre3 Signature, b3 Strength, or b3 Cardio class five times a week. It might sound like a lot, but the regular stretching and careful movement proved pivotal to alleviating the back aches and hip pain I normally feel while pregnant. My fourth pregnancy was easily my most comfortable.
I was in the front row of a b3 Signature class less than 48 hours before my fourth baby was born. On that quiet June night, after a few hours on my couch practicing the nasal breathing I learned in the studio, my husband and I drove to the hospital. When my doctors checked my progress and found that I was nine centimeters dilated, they could not believe I had been able to walk in from the parking lot. I was ready to push. My muscles were primed and prepared. My first daughter was born minutes later.
Holding your newborn for the first time is always a euphoric experience. This time felt extra special. I was so proud of myself for finally securing the labor I always wanted. And it happened just in time — I knew this would be our last baby.
When I was ready to get back in the studio a few months later, I was welcomed with open arms by my instructors and fellow regulars. Once again, there were ample opportunities to modify the exercises for my now postnatal body. Once again, barre3 helped me feel comfortable, strong, and energized.
And I always know, thanks to barre3, that whenever a challenge arises, I can do anything for one minute. I can do hard things.
Join the movement — try your first class free at participating barre3 studios.
Shown in photo: Olivia Brochu at a Barre3 “Mommy and Me” class with her two oldest sons
Olivia Brochu is a freelance writer and Barre3 Lehigh Valley member living in Allentown, PA. Her work has been featured by Business Insider, Anti-Heroin Chic, Motherly and more. Find more of her work at oliviabrochuwrites.com.
My living room was uncharacteristically quiet and still when my fourth labor started. My neighbors’ homes were dark, my three sons were fast asleep, and my husband was on standby in our bedroom. I was ready to be alone, to field the waves of contractions with the breathwork I had practiced. As I timed each contraction, and saw a pattern emerge, I thought to myself: You can do hard things. You can do anything for one minute.
It was a mantra I had learned from my barre3 instructors. And I knew it was true, because I had proven these words to myself time and time again in the studio. Though I knew this experience would be painful, the power in these simple phrases kept me grounded and calm.
Finally, in my fourth pregnancy, I achieved the labor and delivery of my dreams. I had always wanted to stay home as long as possible, but I had needed to be induced in all of my previous pregnancies. I also prefer to go without intervention, if possible, but I had twice gotten an epidural when I felt unprepared for the intensity of my contractions.
This time, my body and mind were in better shape than ever. That was thanks to barre3 — my secret to the best labor and delivery.
Before finding barre3, I was a regular runner. And while I love to run even now, it wasn’t an exercise I could maintain while pregnant. Usually by five months in, my pace had slowed to a walk. I still craved movement, but walking was never as fulfilling or energizing as the more rigorous exercise I was used to.
After my third son was born, some friends suggested I try a barre3 class. My first hour in the studio went by in a blink. I was immediately addicted to how strong and happy I felt afterwards.
I was amazed about a year later when I could easily keep attending regular classes while pregnant once again. All of my instructors were quick to offer modifications to protect my changing body. And the women I had been working out with (often at 6:00 in the morning!) were so kind and invested in my prenatal experience.
By my third trimester, I was in the studio for a barre3 Signature, b3 Strength, or b3 Cardio class five times a week. It might sound like a lot, but the regular stretching and careful movement proved pivotal to alleviating the back aches and hip pain I normally feel while pregnant. My fourth pregnancy was easily my most comfortable.
I was in the front row of a b3 Signature class less than 48 hours before my fourth baby was born. On that quiet June night, after a few hours on my couch practicing the nasal breathing I learned in the studio, my husband and I drove to the hospital. When my doctors checked my progress and found that I was nine centimeters dilated, they could not believe I had been able to walk in from the parking lot. I was ready to push. My muscles were primed and prepared. My first daughter was born minutes later.
Holding your newborn for the first time is always a euphoric experience. This time felt extra special. I was so proud of myself for finally securing the labor I always wanted. And it happened just in time — I knew this would be our last baby.
When I was ready to get back in the studio a few months later, I was welcomed with open arms by my instructors and fellow regulars. Once again, there were ample opportunities to modify the exercises for my now postnatal body. Once again, barre3 helped me feel comfortable, strong, and energized.
And I always know, thanks to barre3, that whenever a challenge arises, I can do anything for one minute. I can do hard things.
Join the movement — try your first class free at participating barre3 studios.
Shown in photo: Olivia Brochu at a Barre3 “Mommy and Me” class with her two oldest sons
