''Childbirth is like running a marathon you have to train for it!'' This is what my local midwife said to me before i gave birth. During my six hour labour the frog and cat yoga poses came to my aid more than any backrub or hypnobirthing affrimations of the 'colours of the rainbow enveloping my body'.

When i began my journey on the yoga path eight years ago i never gave much thought to how it would help me in childbirth, or how it would impact on my unborn baby. Now that i've completed the marathon its time for me to share my training tips with all expectant athletes.

Think about packing an imaginary pregnancy bag, based on the principles of packing a hospital one. Into that bag would go yoga, breathing, relaxation, perineum massage, reflexology, and a birth plan.

We all know how good yoga is for us on so many levels, but i believe the benefits yoga can have on both mother and baby are underestimated. It's suprising how many mothers have never heard of the term 'episotomy', only to discover its meaning when their unable to sit comfortably for weeks post birth.

My repeated practice of poses such as the downward dog, leap frog, warrior and the chair pose impacted greatly on my pelvic region, relaxing it to the point my perineal tissues were strong and tough enough to let through an almost 9lb baby without a stitch insight.

The first indication that my son Louis was a contected baby was when he was inside the womb. I practised certain breathing practices, mainly slow inhales and even slower exhales (through the nose not the mouth) almost every day and as a result i have earned myself one very placid, happy, non colic suffering baby. I can honestly put my hand on my heart and say i have not had one sleepless night since he was born.