A REVIEW OF THE BENEFICIAL IMPACT OF YOGA ON PREGNANCY OUTCOME: A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR MATERNAL AND FOETAL WELL-BEING

Yoga, an ancient mind-body practice rooted in Indian tradition, has gained global acceptance as a therapeutic intervention for various physical and psychological conditions. Pregnancy is a unique physiological state accompanied by profound physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Recent studies suggest that yoga may offer multiple benefits during pregnancy, labour, and delivery. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga in improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing pregnancy-related discomforts. A narrative literature review was conducted by examining recent peer-reviewed studies and clinical trials that focused on yoga interventions in pregnant women. Key outcomes analysed included anxiety, depression, stress, low back pain, sleep quality, and labour parameters. Comparisons were made with other forms of physical activity to determine the relative efficacy of yoga. The reviewed literature indicates that yoga has a positive effect on several pregnancy-related outcomes. Women who practised prenatal yoga reported reduced levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Additionally, improvements were noted in physical symptoms such as back pain and sleep disturbances. In several studies, yoga showed comparable or superior benefits to other forms of physical activity. The findings support the use of yoga as a safe and effective intervention for managing both psychological and physical challenges during pregnancy. It promotes emotional well-being and may contribute to better labour and delivery outcomes. However, more rigorous, randomised, controlled trials are needed to establish standardised protocols and confirm long-term benefits.