8 Psychological Benefits of Yoga during Pregnancy

We all have felt that blissful calm that follows a good meditation. Something about deep breathing and drawing one’s consciousness inwards truly uplifts and strengthens the mind. Pregnancy-related changes can sometimes put one on an internal roller coaster. Yoga helps you to harmonize your body and mind and provide a better sense of well-being.

30 -minutes of yoga a day keeps the mind and body happy and healthy for the baby on the way.
Here are 8 reasons why we highly recommend yoga for your psychological well-being:

1. Yoga helps with breathing, relaxation and thereby mood elevation. Breathing exercises also have a positive affect on the foetal heart rate and movement.
2. Stress during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the foetus and its overall development. Yoga regulates the stress hormone- Cortisol and helps reduce maternal stress and anxiety.
3. Yoga harmonizes the body and mind and may initiate psychophysiological change in pregnant women. Yoga concerts behavioural alterations. It reduces the frequency of mood swings, pain responses and improves overall psychosocial functioning.
4. Improved psychological functioning helps strengthen and maintain interpersonal relationships.
5. Meditation helps overcome the various physical, emotional, and mental states that arise during pregnancy.
6. Pain management through yoga is becoming more popular as women are seeking alternatives to analgesics and anaesthesia. Yoga offers relaxation therapies and self-soothing techniques.
7. Strength training and resilience building through yoga has fitness benefits pre-and post-pregnancy.
8. It promotes self-confidence, self-efficacy, and coping ability; aspects that are important for a positive labour experience.

30-minutes of Yoga at least a few times a week can have many physical and psycho-emotional benefits for both mother and baby. And therefore, we highly recommend it.

Fernandez Hospital has taken the initiative to offer online prenatal yoga classes. Our comprehensive yoga programme has been uniquely designed to uplift your mind and body throughout your pregnancy. Our main goal is to help you stay fit and prepare you for labour, expert style. To register with us for online yoga classes, please call +91 8008570465.

References

Curtis, K., Weinrib, A., & Katz, J. (2012). Systematic review of yoga for pregnant women: current status and future directions. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2012, 715942. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/715942