IMPACT OF NADAYOGA IN PREGNANCY
A report on a study from the ISCM of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry consolidated by Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani.
Pregnancy is the phase in human life where two individuals are physiologically interlinked; the prenatal condition represents a unique opportunity to investigate the physiological interaction between two individual organisms. With respect to cardiac interaction, there is evidence that indicates an influence of the maternal condition on fetal heart rate (FHR), which is a vital predictor of fetal outcome.
The human fetus is capable of responding to a sound stimulus applied to the maternal abdomen, by an increase in movement of the fetal muscles. The response becomes more marked as the term approaches. There are studies that proved the development of such a response may furnish some index of the development and maturity of the fetus. It is well known that maternal stress and anxiety during pregnancy affect the fetus’s developing brain morphology and child development outcomes.
The School of Yoga Therapy (previously CYTER) in the ISCM (Institute of Salutogenesis and Complementary Medicine) of Sri Balaji Vidyapeethundertook a study with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry.
Single session pre–post comparison was done with a three-way cross-over study design that was conducted in 60 pregnant women in their third trimester. Three interventions were randomized and sequenced by three ways three periods cross-study design.
The techniques
A: Breath Awareness,
B: Listening to Omkar, and
C: Performing Pranava Pranayama
were given to pregnant women in the antenatal ward on 3 consecutive days for 10 min each day.
There were significant changes in Maternal Heart Rate (MHR) and Fetal Heart rate (FHR) immediately after a single session of breath awareness, listening to OMkar, and performance of PranavaPranayama. Delta % changes during Pranava showed a greater fall in MHR (P = 0.03) compared to OMkar listening and breath awareness. Both FHR and MHR showed highly significant delta % changes in the Omkar group (P < 0.001). The FHR response was more significant (P < 0.001) in both OM and Pranava. Mothers experienced more fetal activity while listening to OM and chanting Makara phase (Mmmm) in Pranava.
It may be concluded from this interdisciplinarystudy that Yoga has therapeutic and supportive effects during the prenatal period. It seems to regulate difficulties due to a gravid uterus such as leg pain and sleep disturbances. Significant changes were found in MHR, FHR and cardiovascular responses, indicating lower oxygen consumption and decreased load on the heart thereby enhancing maternal cardiovascular efficiency. Mothers experienced increased fetal activity both while listening to OM as well as during the chanting of Makara phase (Mmm.) in Pranava Pranayama. Pregnant women felt more relaxed and comfortable while listening to OM and were able to feel the bonding with the fetus while performing Pranava pranayama.
Nada Yoga as therapy is cost-effective, relatively simple, and carries minimal risk and hence could be advocated as an adjunct complementary therapy for promoting health and well-being. This by default also influences fetal well-being by possibly enhancing placental circulation, leading to healthier fetal development. Hence, it may be recommended as an adjuvant therapeutic modality in routine antenatal care in medical institutions.
The full paper can be accessed at
