Doing it a few more times before childbirth can keep mother and child safe

Long-term office life has made many pregnant women fear childbirth. What should they do in case of premature birth or difficult labor? What to do about pregnancy syndrome? What should I do if the child is not born healthy? Yoga coaches told us that moderate yoga before delivery can help pregnant women get rid of these troubles and keep both mother and child safe.

Indian researchers say that doing yoga before birth can improve newborn weight, reduce the risk of premature birth and reduce overall complications.

Dr. Shamanthakamani Narendran of the Vivekananda Yoga Research Center and colleagues conducted a prospective study evaluating 169 pregnant women who practiced yoga and 166 pregnant women who had routine prenatal care. Yoga training includes different relaxation exercises, postures, relaxation, deep breathing exercises, and meditation for 1 hour every day.

The results of the study showed that the premature birth rate in the yoga group was half that of the control group. The incidence of intrauterine growth retardation was also reduced by one-third compared with the control group. The incidence of gestational hypertension was also significantly reduced.

"The physiological state produced by yoga therapy may actually reduce the stress response," the researchers explain.

Dr. Vivek Narendran of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio pointed out that the exact role of yoga is still unclear. Possible mechanisms include increased placental blood flow, decreased delivery of maternal stress hormones, and decreased premature release of placental-releasing hormone, which triggers labor.

"Many attempts to reduce the rates of low birth weight and premature births over the past decade have failed, and our findings are the first to suggest a simple, effective intervention to improve outcomes, especially in India," said Dr. Narendran.

The coach reminded us: Prenatal yoga is good, but remember, you must learn it in a professional yoga studio. Practicing on your own may have the opposite effect!