Prenatal Yoga: Effects on Alleviation of Labor Pain and Birth Outcomes

Background: This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that prenatal yogic exercises are effective in alleviating labor pain and improving birth outcomes, by comparing pregnant women undertaking yoga with a control group. Trial design: Single blinded, parallel randomized control trial. Methods: Two hundred primigravid women of 30 weeks of gestation onward who met the inclusion criteria (primigravida, 20-35 years of age, gestational age of 30 weeks, no prior experience of yoga) were randomly assigned to study (n = 100) and control groups (n = 100) by using the minimized randomization program version 2.01. The study group received the intervention in the form of integrated yoga consisting of a series of 30-min practice sessions at the 30th, 32nd, 34th, 36th, 37th, 38th, and 39th weeks of gestational age. The matched control group did not perform yoga. The patients were followed till delivery for maternal comfort, alleviation of labor pain, and birth outcome. Alleviation of labor pain was assessed by using numerical pain intensity scale (NPIS), pain behavioral observational scale (PBOS), and maternal delivery comfort questionnaire. Only the assessors were blinded. Results: Two hundred patients were randomized into 100 each in case and control groups. Final analysis was done on 75 patients in each group after exclusion due to development of complications, loss to follow-up. The requirement of induction of labor and analgesics was significantly less in the study group (p < 0.044, p < 0.045). There was significantly more number of normal vaginal deliveries (p < 0.037) and less caesarean sections (p < 0.048), shorter first stage of labor (p < 0.0003) in the study group practicing yoga. The tolerance of pain was better in the study group as shown by NPIS (p < 0.001) and PBOS scores (p < 0.0001). Postpartum, the maternal comfort questionnaire score showed higher comfort in the study group (p < 0.032). The number of low birth weight babies was also significantly less in the study group (p < 0.042). There were no adverse effects attributed to yoga. Conclusion: The study has highlighted that yoga is a noninvasive, easy to learn mind-body medicine and complementary health practice, effective in alleviation of labor pain and possibly improving birth outcome.