Benefits of Perinatal yoga

Statistics show 20% of women are affected by perinatal major depressive disorders and 10% of women are affected by perinatal anxiety. Despite the availability of effective pharmacological treatment, pregnant women have concerns regarding the side effects of pharmaceuticals. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is used by approximately 40% of the American adult population.

Perinatal yoga is traditional yoga therapy that has been specifically designed for women during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Proponents of perinatal yoga state that this therapy:

• Improves sleep
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth
• Decrease lower back pain and shortness of breath
• Decrease the risk of preterm labour and other complications at birth.

Is there any scientific proof for the benefits of Perinatal yoga?

Sheffield et al 2015 conducted a systemic literature review on the use of perinatal yoga on a woman’s mental health and well being.

The methodology consisted of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), 4 major databases were reviewed to yield a total of 13 hits. Following the review of the 13 studies, results suggested the use of yoga was effective in reducing anxiety and depression in pregnant women.

The complementary medicine research review concluded that perinatal yoga may be a useful Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapy and potentially offers women and their providers functional alternatives to pharmaceutical medication for treatment of perinatal depression and anxiety which are common women’s health issues in pregnancy, birth and postpartum.