Enhancing Childbirth Preparedness: The Effects of Prenatal Yoga on Physical nnd Mental Readiness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22437/jkmj.v9i2.44732Keywords:
mental readiness, physical readiness, prenatal yogaAbstract
Childbirth requires both physical and mental readiness, yet many women face it with anxiety and insufficient preparation. Prenatal Yoga is increasingly recognized as a holistic intervention that integrates physical, psychological, and emotional preparation. This study aimed to examine the effect of Prenatal Yoga on the physical and mental readiness of pregnant women in facing childbirth. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in May 2025 involving 54 pregnant women in Blora Regency. Data were collected using structured questionnaires to assess physical readiness (body flexibility and discomfort) and mental readiness (anxiety and relaxation) through the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). The association between Prenatal Yoga and readiness was analyzed using Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact tests. The study found no significant association between socio-demographic factors or yoga practice and physical readiness. In contrast, mental readiness was significantly associated with place of residence (p = 0.006), maternal education (p = 0.025), and participation in prenatal yoga (p = 0.000). Prenatal Yoga emerged as the strongest predictor of mental readiness for childbirth, highlighting its potential as a safe, accessible, and effective strategy to reduce anxiety, enhance self-efficacy, and improve emotional resilience. Promoting Prenatal Yoga within maternal health programs may empower women to face childbirth with greater confidence and mental preparedness.
Downloads
References
1. Hall JE, Guyton AC, Hall ME. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2022.
2. Harahap IF, Pohan MSM, Harahap RY, Nainggolan R. Effect of prenatal yoga on psychological readiness for childbirth. J Kesehatan Tambusai. 2023;4(2):312–8.
3. Khalifatunnisak A, Khusmitha QN. Prenatal gentle yoga’s impact on the length of the first stage of labour. Int J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2024;2(2):42–6.
4. Engel GL. The need for a new medical model: a challenge for biomedicine. Science. 1977;196(4286):129–36.
5. Gustina. The effect of prenatal care yoga on physical and psychological readiness for childbirth at Putri Ayu Health Centre, Jambi. J Akademi Baiturrahim. 2020;9(1):31–8.
6. Sari I, Herawati I. Influence of prenatal yoga on anxiety of pregnant women toward labour. Int J Med Health. 2022;1(4):10–5.
7. Field T. Yoga clinical research review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011;17(1):1–8.
8. Beddoe AE, Lee KA. Mind–body interventions during pregnancy. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2008;37(2):165–75.
9. Curtis K, Weinrib A, Katz J. Systematic review of yoga for pregnant women: effects on mental and physical health. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:1–14.
10. Bandura A. Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: Freeman; 1997.
11. Guardino CM, Schetter CD. Coping and health in pregnancy and childbirth: a conceptual model. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2014;10:525–48.
12. Nascimento SL, Surita FG, Cecatti JG. Physical exercise during pregnancy: a systematic review. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2012;24(6):387–94.
13. DiPietro L, Evenson KR. Benefits of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum: an umbrella review. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019;51(6):1292–9.
14. Apsari NMK, Erawati NLPS, Ningtyas LAW. Differences in maternal readiness before and after prenatal yoga. J Ilm Kebidanan. 2022;10(2):132–9.
15. Saragih R, Siregar SA. Relationship between prenatal gentle yoga and anxiety among primigravid women in the third trimester. Int J Public Health Excell. 2023;3(1):450–9.
16. Duncombe D, Wertheim EH, Skouteris H, et al. Factors related to exercise engagement during pregnancy. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2009;54(1):33–8.
17. Lundgren I, Berg M, Lindmark G. Women’s experiences of fear of childbirth. J Adv Nurs. 2015;71(4):963–74.
18. Rahayu S, Sulastri D. Pengaruh senam yoga prenatal terhadap kecemasan ibu hamil trimester III di Puskesmas Telanai, Jambi. J Kesmas Jambi. 2021;5(1):14–22.
19. Newham JJ, Wittkowski A, Dixey R, et al. The effects of yoga on psychological health during pregnancy: a controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2014;20(2):106–13.
20. Ariyanti KS, Sariyani MD, Zakiah S, Wisnawa IND. Perceptions of prenatal yoga benefits for labour preparedness: a qualitative study. J Yoga Health. 2022;5(2):150–9.
21. Setiyarini AD, Putri ERT, Andini DM, Rahmawati E. Effects of prenatal yoga on the anxiety of pregnant women before birth. Indones Midwifery Health Sci J. 2024;8(1):31–7. doi:10.20473/imhsj.v8i1.2024.31-37
22. Prasetya H. The effect of prenatal yoga on birth labor duration and pain: a meta analysis. J Matern Child Health. 2021;6(3):326–36. doi:10.26911/THEJMCH.2021.06.03.07
23. Corrigan L, Moran P, McGrath N, Edgar L, Alderdice F, Murtagh G. The characteristics and effectiveness of pregnancy yoga interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022;22:250. doi:10.1186/s12884-022-04474-9
24. Indrayani D, Legiati T, Sriyanti C. Effectiveness of prenatal yoga on pregnant women's anxiety and duration of labour. Health Libr Sci. 2023;6(2):1–7. doi:10.4081/hls.2023.11763
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ferry Santoso, Maria Ulfa Nur Hidayanti, Brema JK Damanik, Prima Novitasari, Maria Estela Karolina (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Proposed Creative Commons Copyright Notices
1. Proposed Policy for Journals That Offer Open Access
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Proposed Policy for Journals That Offer Delayed Open Access
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication, with the work [SPECIFY PERIOD OF TIME] after publication simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).


p-ISSN :
e-ISSN : 

