Effects of Yoga and Meditation on The Birth Process

Introduction: Today it is seen that women lose their birthing strength, give the control to healthcare personnel during labour and the rate of c-section or interventional labour is increasing. For this reason, the importance of yoga, meditation and breath awareness practices increases during pregnancy and birth. The study was carried out as a randomized control trial with the purpose of examining the impact of yoga and meditation during pregnancy and labour on the labour process. Methods: The study was completed with 90 primiparous pregnant women in total, 30 in experimental group and 60 in control group. The data was collected using State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire A, The Childbirth Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version B and Visual Analogue Scale. Pregnant women in experimental group did yoga and meditation for 60 minutes 2 times a week for 10 weeks. Innatal period yoga and meditation practices were continued in experimental group during labour.