Yoga Implications During Pregnancy
Integrated yoga practice, message therapy, and relaxation techniques during pregnancy: Effects on birth outcomes, maternal depression, anxiety, and physical distress.
Over the course of evolution, species have developed methods and procedures to increase the survival rate of their offspring. For millennia, humans have been refining childbearing techniques to reduce cases of infant mortality, deformity, and other health related issues. Twentieth century advancements in medicine and technology have increased the proficiency of prenatal care. However, over the last couple decades, the United States has not seen a rise in healthy birth outcomes (Beddoe, & Lee, 2008). Research has shown that maternal stress and anxiety during pregnancy can increase the chances of adverse birth outcomes, such as for spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, malformations, and asymmetric growth retardation (Beddoe & Lee 2008, Gurung et al, 2005; Glynn et al, 2008; & Narendran et al, 2005). Similar investigations are showing that prenatal depression can increase levels of stress hormones, which can filter their way into the fetus causing harm (Field et al, 2004). As a result, studies are striving to pinpoint the various emotional, social, and interpersonal factors that contribute to anxiety and depression during pregnancy (Field et al., 2004, Glynn et al., 2008). Additional research is gathering information on some non-traditional methods that can alleviate symptoms of prenatal stress and depression. Specifically, studies analyzing the effects of yoga, massage therapy, and relaxation techniques have shown that these practices can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, while reducing levels of perceived anxiety, pregnancy related pains, as well as hormones like cortisol, and norepineprhine (Field et al., 2004; Beddoe et al., 2009; Sun et al., 2010; Rakhshani et al., 2010, & Songporn et al., 2008). Supplementary research has also shown that the integration of a yoga practice
Over the course of evolution, species have developed methods and procedures to increase the survival rate of their offspring. For millennia, humans have been refining childbearing techniques to reduce cases of infant mortality, deformity, and other health related issues. Twentieth century advancements in medicine and technology have increased the proficiency of prenatal care. However, over the last couple decades, the United States has not seen a rise in healthy birth outcomes (Beddoe, & Lee, 2008). Research has shown that maternal stress and anxiety during pregnancy can increase the chances of adverse birth outcomes, such as for spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, malformations, and asymmetric growth retardation (Beddoe & Lee 2008, Gurung et al, 2005; Glynn et al, 2008; & Narendran et al, 2005). Similar investigations are showing that prenatal depression can increase levels of stress hormones, which can filter their way into the fetus causing harm (Field et al, 2004). As a result, studies are striving to pinpoint the various emotional, social, and interpersonal factors that contribute to anxiety and depression during pregnancy (Field et al., 2004, Glynn et al., 2008). Additional research is gathering information on some non-traditional methods that can alleviate symptoms of prenatal stress and depression. Specifically, studies analyzing the effects of yoga, massage therapy, and relaxation techniques have shown that these practices can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, while reducing levels of perceived anxiety, pregnancy related pains, as well as hormones like cortisol, and norepineprhine (Field et al., 2004; Beddoe et al., 2009; Sun et al., 2010; Rakhshani et al., 2010, & Songporn et al., 2008). Supplementary research has also shown that the integration of a yoga practice
References: Beddoe, A. E. and Lee, K. A. (2008), Mind-Body Interventions During Pregnancy. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 37: 165–175. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2008.00218.x Beddoe, A Braveman, P., Marchi, K., Sarnoff, R., Egerter, S., Rittenhouse, R., & Salganicoff, A. (2003). Promoting access to prenatal care: Lessons from the California experience. Menlo Park, California: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Downs, D., & Hausenblas, H. A. (2007). Pregnant women 's third trimester exercise behaviors, body mass index, and pregnancy outcomes. Psychology & Health, 22(5), 545-559. doi:10.1080/14768320701372018 Field, T Glynn, L. M., Schetter, C., Hobel, C. J., & Sandman, C. A. (2008). Pattern of perceived stress and anxiety in pregnancy predicts preterm birth. Health Psychology, 27(1), 43-51. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.27.1.43 Gurung, R Sun YC, Hung YC, Chang Y, & Kuo SC. (2010). Effects of a prenatal yoga programme on the discomforts of pregnancy and maternal childbirth self-efficacy in Taiwan. Midwifery. 26(6), e31-6.