Earthquake Ready with the Cat/Cow Yoga Position

If the ground starts to shake, your first instinct is to protect that precious cargo because you’re already an amazing Mama! But as any mama-to-be knows, our center of gravity isn't exactly what it used to be! Balancing a growing bump makes us a little more wobbly on a normal day, so during an earthquake, staying upright is the last thing you want to try.

The most important thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to Drop, Cover, and Hold On, but with a pregnancy-specific twist.

Why the "Hands and Knees" Position?

In my recent PSA on Threads (come say hi! https://www.threads.com/@nineishmonths) , I mentioned getting into a cat/cow yoga position. Here is why this is something to keep in the back of your mind for pregnancy safety:

• Stability: Getting down on your hands and knees (all fours) provides a much wider, more stable base than standing. It prevents you from being thrown off balance and falling, which is the leading cause of injury during tremors.

• Belly Protection: By being on all fours, your belly is positioned naturally beneath you, away from the direct impact of falling objects.

• Mobility: It allows you to crawl toward safety like a sturdy table -without the risk of a standing fall.

If you’re in bed or on the couch and a table is too far away in the moment, don’t try to run! Stay put, roll onto your side, and use pillows/cushions to cover your head and stomach. This can help with debris and dust. Once everything has calmed down (or before another after-shock) pull the pillow out of the pillowcase/cover and use the material to cover your mouth if the room stays dusty for a while.

If you live in a heavy earthquake area, always have a go-bag ready to go too in case your area needs to be evacuated. Stay safe, mamas. Being prepared means one less thing to worry about so you can focus on growing that little human! xxx