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Effects of Yoga and Meditation on The Birth Process

Assistant Professor,Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Midwifery, Uskudar University, Istanbul, Turkey

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04883541
Enrollment
153
Registered
2021-05-12
Start date
2016-01-01
Completion date
2018-01-30
Last updated
2021-08-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Birth, First, Labor Pain, Self Efficacy, State Anxiety

Keywords

Labour Preparation Class, Labour Support, Meditation, Pregnancy Yoga

Brief summary

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.

Detailed description

METHODS Study design: The present study was conducted as a randomized controlled study. The study was conducted on pregnant women who applied to the pregnancy school of an educational and research hospital on the Anatolian side of Istanbul province between October 2016 and May 2018, and who met the criteria for acceptance of the study. Setting and samples: All pregnant women attending the pregnancy school, who agreed to participate in the research, and met the research conditions within the study dates constituted the research population. The sampling of the study was created with the simple random method as the experiment and control group with individuals who met the criteria of the study and who were accepted to participate. In this respect, pregnant women, who were primiparous and between 20-36 gestational weeks, who had single fetuses, expected to give birth normally and spontaneously, with no pregnancy complications and systemic disease, and who could speak Turkish, were included in the study. Power Analysis was made by using the G\*Power (v3.1.7) Program to determine the sampling number of the study. According to Cohen's effect size coefficients and other calculations, it was assumed that the evaluations between the two independent groups would have a large impact size (d=0.50). It was also decided that there should be at least 26 people in the groups, and considering that there might be losses in the study process, 30 people were included in the experimental group, and 60 people in the control group, making 90 people in total. For Randomization, when the experiment and control group were created, support was received from pregnancy school instructors and groups, and pregnant women were determined by using the method of envelope selection. Pregnancy school instructors asked the group volunteering to participate in the study to independently choose one of two blue or red colored envelopes. Those who chose the blue envelope formed the experiment group, and those that chose the red envelope were taken into the control group. The envelope selection process continued until the desired numbers were reached. The researcher was told advised of the groups to which subjects were included by the pregnancy school instructor only after the subjects were chosen.

Interventions

The pregnant women in the study group were given yoga and meditation classes, which included a total of twenty 10-week lessons, which were done by the researchers as 6-week birth preparation training, and with the onset of the birth action, birth processes were followed in the course of labour period yoga and meditation.

The control group was only given delivery preparation training for 6 weeks, and the birth processes were followed by routine follow-ups.

Sponsors

Biruni University
CollaboratorOTHER
Uskudar University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

For Randomization, when the experiment and control group were created, support was received from pregnancy school instructors and groups, and pregnant women were determined by using the method of envelope selection. Pregnancy school instructors asked the group volunteering to participate in the study to independently choose one of two blue or red colored envelopes. Those who chose the blue envelope formed the experiment group, and those that chose the red envelope were taken into the control group. The envelope selection process continued until the desired numbers were reached. The researcher was told advised of the groups to which subjects were included by the pregnancy school instructor only after the subjects were chosen.

Intervention model description

The present study was conducted as a randomized controlled study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
21 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Pregnant women, * Primiparous and between 20-36 gestational weeks, * Single fetuses, expected to give birth normally and spontaneously, * No pregnancy complications and systemic disease, * Speak Turkish

Exclusion criteria

* Being unable to speak Turkish * Having a history of serious illness that threatens life or because of these reasons. * Currently or previously due to a serious mental weakness or illness * Being diagnosed with a psychiatric diagnosis and being treated for this reason, * Being multiparous, * Multiple pregnancies, being in the gestational week less than 20 weeks and greater than 36 weeks, * Having a diagnosis that constitutes an obstacle to physical activity

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Characteristics of Labor (Pregnant)16 hoursThe Introductory Information Form, which consisted of 8 questions (socio-demographic data) and pregnancy characteristics (12 questions) of pregnant women, and which was prepared in line with the sources, was used.
Comparison of Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Scores of Pregnant Women in Study and Control Groupthe 4th hour on average after the birthThe Visual Analog Scale (VAS) consists of a line, often 10 cm long, with verbal anchors at either end, (e.g.,no pain on the far left and the most intense pain imaginable on the far right). The scale takes a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10, and higher scores mean a worse result. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess the pains during the birth process of the pregnant women in both the study and control groups.Two ends of the parameter to be evaluated at the two ends of a 100 mm line in VAS the definition is written and the pregnant woman is asked to indicate on this line where her condition is appropriate by drawing a line or putting a dot or pointing. For example, I have no pain at all at one end for pain, very severe pain is written on the other end, and the patient marks his current state on this line. The length of the distance from the place where there is no pain to the place marked by the patient indicates the patient's pain.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Comparison of WIJMAA and WIJMAB Average Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control Groupsthe 4th hour on average after the birththe WIJMA Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire A, was applied once during the study after the 28th week of pregnancy in preparation for childbirth. Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version B (W-DEQ B) and was applied in the 4th hour on average after the birth event.W-DEQ A: responses on the 33-point scale numbered from 0 to 5 it is a six-bit likert-type scale. 0 is expressed as completely and 5 as never. The minimum score that can be taken from the scale is 0, while the maximum score is 165. High scores indicate that the fear of childbirth experienced by women is high.W-DEQ B: the scale consists of 32 substances. In scale responses are numbered from 0 to 5 and are of six likert type. 0 is expressed as completely and 5 as never. The minimum score on the scale is 0, while the maximum score is 160. As the score increases, the fear of childbirth experienced by women increases.
Comparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control Groupsthe 4th hour on average after the birthThe Childbirth Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form was applied twice as the short form to the study and control group during the study. After the start of birth preparation training, when the pregnant women were in the 28th week, after the application of other forms, it was applied as a pre-test and as a post-test at a time when the pregnant women were appropriate. The lowest score, which can be obtained from the lower dimensions of the scale, is 32, and the highest score is 320 points. A high score to be taken from each lower dimension is related to the birth of pregnant women it shows that the expectation of qualification and results is high. As the scores rise it is determined that it increases self-sufficiency.

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

Randomised (n=115) Excluded (n=38): Not meeting inclusion criteria (n=30.) Declined to participate (n=8)

Participants by arm

ArmCount
The Study Group
Pregnant women participated in the applications, which lasted two days a week, for ten weeks, and for 60 minutes a day. yoga and meditation: The pregnant women in the study group were given yoga and meditation classes, which included a total of twenty 10-week lessons, which were done by the researchers as 6-week birth preparation training, and with the onset of the birth action, birth processes were followed in the course of labour period yoga and meditation.
30
Control Group
The control group was only given delivery preparation training for 6 weeks, and the birth processes were followed by routine follow-ups. Birth preparation training: The control group was only given delivery preparation training for 6 weeks, and the birth processes were followed by routine follow-ups.
60
Total90

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyNot attending regular yoga class160
Overall StudyNot attending the pregnancy school09

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalThe Study GroupControl Group
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
90 Participants30 Participants60 Participants
Age, Continuous29.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.5
29.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.44
30.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.09
Body Mass Index (BMI)26.357 kg / m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.94
25.77 kg / m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.26
27.37 kg / m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.62
Sex: Female, Male
Female
90 Participants30 Participants60 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 300 / 60
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 300 / 60
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 300 / 60

Outcome results

Primary

Characteristics of Labor (Pregnant)

The Introductory Information Form, which consisted of 8 questions (socio-demographic data) and pregnancy characteristics (12 questions) of pregnant women, and which was prepared in line with the sources, was used.

Time frame: 16 hours

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
The Study GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Normal birth24 participants
The Study GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Movement limitation5 participants
The Study GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Induction9 participants
The Study GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Enema17 participants
The Study GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Vaginal Examination30 participants
The Study GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Caesarian6 participants
The Study GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Electronic Fetal Monitoring30 participants
Control GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Caesarian21 participants
Control GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Enema49 participants
Control GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Induction50 participants
Control GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Electronic Fetal Monitoring59 participants
Control GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Vaginal Examination59 participants
Control GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Movement limitation28 participants
Control GroupCharacteristics of Labor (Pregnant)Normal birth39 participants
Primary

Comparison of Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Scores of Pregnant Women in Study and Control Group

The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) consists of a line, often 10 cm long, with verbal anchors at either end, (e.g.,no pain on the far left and the most intense pain imaginable on the far right). The scale takes a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10, and higher scores mean a worse result. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess the pains during the birth process of the pregnant women in both the study and control groups.Two ends of the parameter to be evaluated at the two ends of a 100 mm line in VAS the definition is written and the pregnant woman is asked to indicate on this line where her condition is appropriate by drawing a line or putting a dot or pointing. For example, I have no pain at all at one end for pain, very severe pain is written on the other end, and the patient marks his current state on this line. The length of the distance from the place where there is no pain to the place marked by the patient indicates the patient's pain.

Time frame: the 4th hour on average after the birth

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
The Study GroupComparison of Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Scores of Pregnant Women in Study and Control GroupVAS LATENT (This is when pregnant woman cervix becomes soft and thin)3.00 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.84
The Study GroupComparison of Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Scores of Pregnant Women in Study and Control GroupVAS ACTIVE (During active labor, cervix will dilate from 4 centimeters (cm) to 7 cm.)6.90 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.88
The Study GroupComparison of Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Scores of Pregnant Women in Study and Control GroupVAS TRANSITION (cervix will dilate from 7 to its final 10 centimeters.)8.24 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.12
Control GroupComparison of Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Scores of Pregnant Women in Study and Control GroupVAS TRANSITION (cervix will dilate from 7 to its final 10 centimeters.)9.86 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.41
Control GroupComparison of Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Scores of Pregnant Women in Study and Control GroupVAS LATENT (This is when pregnant woman cervix becomes soft and thin)5.48 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.51
Control GroupComparison of Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Scores of Pregnant Women in Study and Control GroupVAS ACTIVE (During active labor, cervix will dilate from 4 centimeters (cm) to 7 cm.)8.80 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.98
Secondary

Comparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control Groups

The Childbirth Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form was applied twice as the short form to the study and control group during the study. After the start of birth preparation training, when the pregnant women were in the 28th week, after the application of other forms, it was applied as a pre-test and as a post-test at a time when the pregnant women were appropriate. The lowest score, which can be obtained from the lower dimensions of the scale, is 32, and the highest score is 320 points. A high score to be taken from each lower dimension is related to the birth of pregnant women it shows that the expectation of qualification and results is high. As the scores rise it is determined that it increases self-sufficiency.

Time frame: the 4th hour on average after the birth

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
The Study GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsSelf-sufficiency I223.03 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 36.83
The Study GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsSufficiency expectation II139.87 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 16.88
The Study GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsResult expectation II148.30 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 14.1
The Study GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsSelf-sufficiency II288.17 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 28.25
The Study GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsResult expectation I137.23 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 20.21
Control GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsSelf-sufficiency II234.50 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 32
Control GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsResult expectation I124.32 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 27.2
Control GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsSelf-sufficiency I205.80 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 40.94
Control GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsResult expectation II125.30 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 19.66
Control GroupComparison of Average Self-sufficiency Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsSufficiency expectation II109.20 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 16.91
p-value: <0.05t-test, 2 sided
Secondary

Comparison of WIJMAA and WIJMAB Average Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control Groups

the WIJMA Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire A, was applied once during the study after the 28th week of pregnancy in preparation for childbirth. Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version B (W-DEQ B) and was applied in the 4th hour on average after the birth event.W-DEQ A: responses on the 33-point scale numbered from 0 to 5 it is a six-bit likert-type scale. 0 is expressed as completely and 5 as never. The minimum score that can be taken from the scale is 0, while the maximum score is 165. High scores indicate that the fear of childbirth experienced by women is high.W-DEQ B: the scale consists of 32 substances. In scale responses are numbered from 0 to 5 and are of six likert type. 0 is expressed as completely and 5 as never. The minimum score on the scale is 0, while the maximum score is 160. As the score increases, the fear of childbirth experienced by women increases.

Time frame: the 4th hour on average after the birth

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
The Study GroupComparison of WIJMAA and WIJMAB Average Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsWIJMAA47.67 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 26.37
The Study GroupComparison of WIJMAA and WIJMAB Average Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsWIJMAB29.70 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.51
Control GroupComparison of WIJMAA and WIJMAB Average Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsWIJMAA57.75 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 33.27
Control GroupComparison of WIJMAA and WIJMAB Average Scores of Pregnant Women in the Study and Control GroupsWIJMAB72.38 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 27.32

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026