Effects of a prenatal yoga programme on the discomforts of pregnancy and maternal childbirth self-efficacy in Taiwan

Objectiveto evaluate a yoga programme provided to primigravidas in the third trimester of pregnancy with the aim of decreasing the discomforts associated with pregnancy and increasing childbirth self-efficacy.Designnon-randomised controlled experimental study.Settinga hospital in northern Taiwan.Participantsthe target population was primigravidas at 26–28 weeks of gestation (no high-risk pregnancies) who had not engaged in regular exercise or yoga for at least one year. The study included 88 individuals; 43 in the control group and 45 in the experimental group who took part in the prenatal yoga programme.Interventionthe duration of the prenatal yoga programme was 12–14 weeks, with at least three sessions per week. Each workout lasted for 30 minutes.Measurements and findingswomen who took part in the prenatal yoga programme reported significantly fewer pregnancy discomforts than the control group (38.28 vs 43.26, z=−2.58, p=0.01) at 38–40 weeks of gestation. The subjects who participated in the yoga programme exhibited higher outcome and self-efficacy expectancies during the active stage of labour (104.13 vs 83.53, t=3.24, p=0.002; 99.26 vs 77.70, t=3.99, p⩽0.001) and the second stage of labour (113.33 vs 88.42, t=3.33, p=0.002; 102.19 vs 79.40, t=3.71, p⩽0.001) compared with the control group.Key conclusionsthe provision of booklets and videos on yoga during pregnancy may contribute to a reduction in pregnancy discomforts and improved childbirth self-efficacy.Implications for practicethis yoga programme provides health-care professionals with an evidence-based intervention.