Benefits of Yoga During Pregnancy on Maternal Comfort

In the study by Chuntharapat et al (1), 66 pregnant women were divided into two study groups. One group were instructed to do 6 one hour yoga classes in the following weeks of gestation, 26-28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 37. The classes provided instruction on yoga relaxation, posture, breathing, chanting and meditation. This group was also required to carry out yoga at home a few times a week after they had begun the classes.

The control group received routine nursing care and researchers chatted with the participants for around 20 to 30 minutes.

During labour, participants the women's comfort levels were measured when 3-4 cm dilated, 2 hours later and again 2 hours after that using a visual analog scale. At the same time pain was measured using a Visual Analog Sensation of Pain.

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A questionnaire was completed around 2 hours after delivery to assess the women's comfort level. Apgar scores and the length of labour were also recorded.

The results of the research indicated that the yoga group had significantly higher levels of maternal comfort than the control group both during labour and two hours after delivery. Whilst each of the groups had higher levels of pain during labour, the yoga group recorded significant and lower pain levels when compared directly to the control group.

The experimental group benefited from a significantly shorter first stage of labour. However there were no significant differences measured in the Apgar scores, the length of second stage labour or on the amount of pethidine taken.

The researchers concluded that '..30 minutes of yoga at least three times a week for 10 weeks is an effective complementary means for facilitating maternal comfort, decreasing pain during labour and 2 hours post-delivery, and the shortening the length of labour.'

(1) Chuntharapat S, Petpichetchian W, Hatthakit U. 'Effects of Yoga on Maternal Comfort, Labour Pain and Birth Outcomes'. Comlementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2008. 14. Pg 105 - 115.

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