THE IMPACT OF YOGA AND MEDITATION ON PREGNANT WOMEN'S PERCEIVED STRESS AND ANXIETY

A one-month yoga intervention that included OM-based meditation significantly reduced perceived stress and anxiety in pregnant women. Forty women aged 25–35, between 20 and 28 weeks pregnant, were randomly assigned to a yoga or control group. The yoga group showed greater improvement on the Perceived Stress Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory compared to controls. The study suggests that yoga can help manage stress and anxiety during pregnancy, particularly for women in urban areas facing emotional stress.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a particular time when women go through a lot of changes. A challenging period might come up for pregnant moms. A woman's body undergoes ongoing changes to care for the developing foetus. An extensive spectrum of physical and mental symptoms can be associated with pregnancy, and each woman will experience it uniquely. Yoga unites the mind and body by including stretching postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Modern urbanisation and fast-paced lifestyles have raised the likelihood of having a difcult pregnancy. In general, inhabitants in metropolitan areas are more likely to experience emotional stress. Objective: This study examined how pregnant women's perceptions of stress and anxiety changed after a one-month yoga intervention that included OMbased meditation. Method: For the yoga intervention, a total of (n=40) forty pregnant women getting prenatal care at a particular obstetrics and gynaecology institution in Patna, Bihar, were chosen. The chosen women, aged 25 to 35 and between 20 and 28 weeks pregnant, were randomly assigned to the yoga or control group. Twenty participants from the yoga group and twenty from the control group were randomly separated. Blood pressure, weight, pulse rate, and psychological Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI form -X) tests were used to evaluate both groups' pre- and post-physiological parameters. The results of t Result: he yoga intervention and control groups on the PSS, STAI, and other variables are displayed here. A thorough analysis of the ndings indicates that the intervention group advanced signicantly. Conclusion: Pregnant women's perceptions of stress and anxiety were considerably reduced by yoga intervention-based OM meditation.