Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga exercise intervention on postpartum physiology in pregnant women. Method: Thirty five healthy pregnant women participants were randomly assigned to the following two groups Fifteen participants were in the experimental group (age=31.2±3.69 yr, ht=162.67±4.94 cm, wt=54.25±5.57 kg), who attended the yoga training at 60 minutes per day, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Nineteen participants were in the control group (age=30.84±3.40 yr, ht=159.84±2.24 cm, wt=53.63±6.73 kg), The data were assessed by one-way analysis of covariance (one-way ANCOVA) and t-test. Result: 1. The yoga exercise intervention significantly inhibited the weight gain of women during pregnancy (p<.05). 2. The yoga exercise intervention significantly enhanced the pelvic floor muscle contraction for postpartum women (p<.05). 3. The yoga exercise intervention significantly increased the pace of laboring process for women (p<.05). 4. The yoga exercise intervention was not significantly influential on the obstetric complications and neonatal health (p>.05). 5. The yoga exercise intervention significantly attenuated the discomfort experience for women during pregnancy (p<.05). 6. The yoga exercise intervention significantly increased the sleep quality for women during pregnancy (p<.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that the yoga exercise intervention for 12 weeks could be beneficial on postpartum physiology in pregnant women.