Hour 3 Pregnancy Yoga – Overview of the Female Reproductive System

Inclusivity and Diversity in Yoga Therapy

To really get the miracle of pregnancy and the role that yoga plays in supporting it, we must start with respect for the temple in which it begins: the female reproductive system. This complex system is not only meant to create and birth life but is also regulated by potent rhythms, cycles, and hormones that impact a woman’s health, feelings, and spiritual awareness.

In this chapter, we’ll view the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system both scientifically and intuitively—enabling yoga teachers and students to develop a foundational knowledge base upon which to establish safe and educated prenatal practice.

I. The Twofold Nature: Internal and External Organs

The two portions of the female reproductive system are:

External reproductive organs (the vulva)

Internal reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina)

Together, these organs permit menstruation, conception, pregnancy, and childbirth.

II. External Reproductive Organs: The Gateway to Life

Together referred to as the vulva, the external genitalia are protective and sensory functions.

Mons Pubis: A fatty, cushion-like region above the pubic bone that is covered with pubic hair after puberty. It protects underlying bones and tissues.

Labia Majora and Labia Minora: They are the outer and inner “lips” of the vulva. They cover the vaginal and urethral openings. The labia minora contain many nerve endings, which cause sexual arousal.

Clitoris: A sensitive organ, full of nerve endings and blood supply, which is critical to sexual pleasure. Although small on the outside, it has internal branches and is bigger in structure than it looks.

Urethral Opening: The opening on the outside through which urine passes out.

Vaginal Opening: It opens up to the inside vagina, which is the birth passage. It is rimmed by elastic tissue and can be partly covered with a thin membrane known as the hymen in some women.

Energetic Insight: The outer organs are linked to the Swadhisthana Chakra, the chakra of creation, sex, and emotion. There is a yogic respect for these organs as part of sacred embodiment.

III. Internal Reproductive Organs: The Sacred Womb Space

Let us move inward now to the organs involved directly in reproduction.

1. Vagina

The vagina is a muscular, elastic canal of approximately 8 to 10 cm long. It joins the cervix to the external genitalia. It has three main functions:

Receiving semen during sexual intercourse

Giving way for menstrual discharge

Serving as a birth canal at the time of delivery

The walls of the vagina are covered with a mucous membrane that keeps them moist and acidic to avoid infection. In pregnancy, rising estrogen makes these walls thicker and increases vaginal discharge to guard against pathogens.

Yoga Insight: Deep hip-opening postures and awareness-based pelvic floor exercises support vaginal health and resilience.

2. Uterus (Womb)

The most central pregnancy organ is the uterus. It is an inverted pear-shaped, hollow, and muscular organ placed in the pelvic cavity.

Fundus: The uppermost, rounded part

Body: The largest part where the fertilized egg is implanted

Isthmus: Narrow region between the body and cervix

Cervix: Lower region, opening into the vagina

The uterus consists of three layers:

Endometrium: The innermost layer upon which the embryo implants. It thickens every menstrual cycle as a response to estrogen and progesterone.

Myometrium: The muscular middle layer that causes uterine contractions during birth.

Perimetrium: The outermost protective layer.

Throughout pregnancy, the uterus grows exponentially, from roughly fist-sized to watermelon-sized! This is a biological wonder, compelled by hormones and mechanical forces.

Yoga Note: Stretches strengthening lower back, sacrum, and abdominal muscles accommodate this change. Visualization meditations on the womb can also encourage mother connection.

3. Ovaries

Two almond-shaped glands placed on either side of the uterus are the ovaries. Two major functions of the ovaries are:

Produce ova (eggs)—there is usually one egg released every month during ovulation.

Secrete hormones—primarily estrogen and progesterone.

During pregnancy, the ovaries first maintain hormone production until the placenta becomes functional at 10–12 weeks. Subsequently, their functions become secondary.

4. Fallopian Tubes (Uterine Tubes)

Both ovaries are linked to the uterus by a fallopian tube, which is approximately 10 cm in length. These tubes contain fimbriae, which are finger-like structures that direct the discharged egg into the tube.

Fertilization—the coming together of sperm and egg—typically takes place here, in the ampulla section of the tube. The fertilized egg proceeds to the uterus to implant.

If the egg implants in the fallopian tube rather than the uterus, it causes an ectopic pregnancy, which can be fatal and must be treated by a doctor.

Yoga Note: Abdominal practices (when indicated) that encourage healthy circulation may indirectly enhance reproductive well-being. 

5. Cervix

The cervix is the thin, tubular bottom of the uterus. It:

Functions as a barrier for most of the cycle

Opens slightly at ovulation to permit sperm penetration

Dilates extensively at labor—up to 10 cm—to permit delivery

When pregnant, the cervix is closed by a mucus plug to shield the uterus from infection. During impending labor, hormonal cues soften the cervix in cervical ripening.

Yoga Insight: Gentle breathing and trust-building exercises can assist a woman in reaching the cervix, which is typically emotionally defended and energetically sensitive.

IV. Pelvic Floor Muscles: The Unheralded Companions

Although not technically part of the reproductive organs, the pelvic floor muscles do warrant special attention.

The muscles create a hammock-like foundation beneath the bladder, uterus, and rectum. They stretch and contract during pregnancy and birth. When toned and aware, they:

Hold pelvic organs

Facilitate labor and postpartum recovery

Increase sexual pleasure

Prevent conditions such as incontinence or prolapse

Yogic Tools: Mula Bandha (root lock), Kegel exercises, and breath-attuned pelvic floor awareness can maintain these muscles in good health.

V. Hormonal and Cyclical Influence

All the reproductive organs are controlled by a hormonal axis consisting of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. This axis:

Induces ovulation

Prepares the uterus to receive the embryo

Triggers menstruation if there is no fertilization

Regulates hormone levels during pregnancy

Understanding this axis helps yoga teachers offer cycle-sensitive and pregnancy-aware practices that honor the body’s natural rhythms.

Conclusion: A Temple of Creation

The female reproductive system is one of the most exquisite expressions of nature’s intelligence. It does not merely support life; it creates life.

As prenatal yoga teachers, this knowledge empowers us to:

Design classes that respect anatomical changes

Avoid risk and injury

Promote hormonal balance

Create space for emotional and spiritual connection

When we honor the womb as sacred, we move from instruction to invocation—inviting each woman to listen deeply to the voice of her own body.

In the next chapters, we’ll explore how these organs change during the stages of pregnancy and how yoga can harmonize with each transformation.