ARTICLE-YOGA IN PREGNANCY
Dr. Nidhi* and Dr. Pramodini J. Patil
ABSTRACT
Pregnancy is a transformative state in a woman’s life during which she faces many challenges physically, mentally,
and psychologically. The current lifestyle which includes unhealthy food habits, sedentary lifestyle and stress
contributes to conditions like pregnancy induced hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation and gestational
diabetes mellitus ultimately making pregnancy eventful. The prevalence rate of eventful pregnancy in India is
49.4% which is high. Practicing yoga helps in reducing the rate and severity of eventful pregnancy. Yoga is an
ancient discipline designed to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions
of the individual. Practicing yoga during pregnancy is beneficial to both the fetus and mother. It stimulates agni,
gives good strength to the mother, enhances the circulation in the mother and the fetus, relieves stress, and
prepares women physically and psychologically for labor. It deepens the connection between fetus and mother, and
also helps growth of foetus. Trimester wise practicing asanas like vrikshasana, vibhadrasana in first trimester,
vajrsana, tadasana in second trimester and uthanasana, titliasana in third trimester helps in relaxation and
contraction of uterine muscles. Practicing yoga in pregnancy contributes in achieving uneventful pregnancy, helps
creating more space in the pelvis, eases and fasten the second stage of labour as it reduces muscle tension and
positively influences neuromuscular control. It also helps to manage pain, reduce anxiety, enhance relaxation, and
finally helps in recovery after labour. The ultimate objective of antenatal care is to ensure a normal pregnancy with
the delivery of a healthy baby from a healthy mother. This is achieved by reducing the prevalence of eventful
pregnancy. Hence yoga in pregnancy is the need of the hour.
Keywords: Yoga, Pregnancy, asana, uneventful pregnancy.
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