Yoga Helps Decrease Stress in Pregnant Women: Study

As previous studies have shown the many benefits of yoga, recent research zeroes in on how this exercise can significantly reduce stress levels among pregnant women.

"There is a growing body of evidence that maternal antenatal anxiety may increase the risk of pre-term delivery and the likelihood of giving birth to a low birth weight child. If we can reduce these risk factors, and perhaps reduce the rate of post-natal mood disorders in mothers and negative health outcomes in their offspring, then that can only be a good thing," said Dr. James Newham, who carried out the research as a Ph.D. student at Tommy's Maternal and Fetal Health Research Center at the University of Manchester, via Medical Xpress.

During pregnancy, doctors often push for pregnant women to try and lower their stress levels in order to prevent the risk of premature birth, low birth weight and developmental issues for the child.

The study involved 59 pregnant women who recorded their emotional states via self-reports at the beginning of the study period. The female participants were divided into groups in which one set was required to attend one yoga session per week for eight weeks while the others received normal prenatal treatment.

Findings showed that women in the yoga group had reduced anxiety levels by one-third.

"Yoga incorporates relaxation and breathing techniques with postures that can be adapted for pregnant women. Many women opt to practice yoga during their pregnancy but this is the first worldwide report on the effects of both single and multiple sessions of antenatal yoga on mood," said professor John Aplin, one of the senior investigators in Manchester, via Medical Xpress. "The results confirm what many who take part in yoga have suspected for a long time. There is also evidence yoga can reduce the need for pain relief during birth and the likelihood for delivery by emergency caesarean section."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Depression and Anxiety.