PREGNANCY YOGA CLASSES - POTENTIAL BENEFITS FOR MOTHER HEALTH.

Introduction: A regular moderate intensity physical activity during pregnancy is recommended by international guidelines. Health benefits include reduced risk of excessive gestational weight gain and conditions such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Psychological benefits of physical activity during pregnancy include reduced stress, as well as improved well-being and satisfaction with the childbirth experience. Aim: To find out how yoga practice affects the course of pregnancy and childbirth outcomes compared pregnant women who attend yoga with a control group - pregnant women who do not attend yoga. Materials and methods: Study was conducted in 3 yoga studios in Riga. Women who attended “Prenatal yoga” were surveyed. The second part of survey was carried out after the childbirth. The control group consisted of women in postpartum period, who do not attended yoga. Results: A total of 58 women (29 in yoga group and 29 in control group) participated in a study. Women in yoga group had less weight gain than control group - mean 14.55 ±2.68 kg vs. 17.03 ±3.61 kg. The rate of Caesarean section was 6.9% (n=2) vs. 20.7 % (n=6), using of epidural anaesthesia - 34.5 % (n=10) vs. 20.7 % (n=6), labour complications - perineal tears - 20.7 % (n=6) vs. 37.9 % (n=11). Psychological aspects-satisfaction with the childbirth experience, which was rated from 1-5, shows mean 4.45 vs. 4.03. Rating about how labour proceeded according to expectations shows mean 3.97 vs. 3.38. Conclusion: Prenatal yoga has positive role on pregnancy course and labour. Women, who practiced yoga, had better results in psychological aspects, physical conditions and partly in perinatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]