The impact of mindfulness-based prenatal yoga on maternal stress during pregnancy

Research has shown that stress increases during pregnancy. A 12-week mindfulnessbased\ud prenatal yoga pilot program was evaluated for its effectiveness on maternal\ud stress and mindfulness levels throughout pregnancy and during the post-partum\ud period. Fifteen women completed the program. Participant scores were obtained at\ud four time points ??? baseline, halfway through the program (time 2), program\ud conclusion (time 3) and four months after program conclusion (time 4). Data was\ud collected via the Prenatal Psychosocial Profile to measure stress, and the Five Facet\ud Mindfulness Questionnaire to measure mindfulness. Participant stress scores\ud decreased significantly from baseline to program conclusion, and mindfulness scores\ud increased from baseline to time 2 (6-weeks into program) and from baseline to time 3\ud (program conclusion). The brief and non-invasive nature of this program makes it a\ud possible candidate as a stress management intervention during pregnancy