Pregnancy Yoga: The Evidence Every Midwife Should Know
You became a midwife to guide women through a powerful transformation — from pregnancy to parenthood. Whether you’re supporting a first-time mother or one who’s done it before, you know birth is never one-size-fits-all.
Some women panic through every contraction whilst others breathe, move, and stay grounded.
So what makes the difference?
Could preparation — like pregnancy yoga — not only support women but also make your job easier?
🌍 The Reality of Midwifery Today
Let’s face it:
Many midwives are burned out.
With chronic understaffing, rising induction rates, and fear-driven guidelines, midwifery is called the most bullied profession in the NHS.
Anything that empowers women to feel calm, confident, and in control should be taken seriously.
🧘♀️ Enter: Pregnancy Yoga
It’s not about “doing downward dog.”
Pregnancy yoga is about breathing, body awareness, emotional regulation, and confidence. It’s accessible to women of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds — and research shows it has real, measurable benefits.
🧠 Mental Health Benefits
Reduces anxiety and depression:
One study found yoga led to a 31% drop in stress, while the control group saw stress rise by 6% (Satyapriya et al., 2009).
Builds emotional resilience:
Women practising yoga report less childbirth fear and fewer depressive symptoms (Newham et al., 2014).
Lowers cortisol:
Confirmed by multiple trials and a systematic review (Kwon et al., 2020).
🤰 Yoga Supports Labour
— Naturally
Shorter labours
and fewer interventions (Jahdi et al., 2010).
Pain relief without drugs:
Breathing and movement help women cope more effectively.
Promotes physiological labour:
Women use upright, mobile positions instinctively.
🟢 NICE Guidelines (NG194) now include yoga, breathing, and relaxation as recommended non-pharmacological options in labour.
💪 Physical Perks That Make a Difference
Eases common complaints:
Back pain, pelvic pain, oedema — all improved through gentle yoga.
Improves fetal positioning:
Upright and forward-leaning postures matter (Gupta et al., 2017).
Better sleep:
Yoga improves sleep quality and reduces insomnia (Beddoe et al., 2010).
👶 Better Birth Outcomes
Lower risk of preterm labour
and pregnancy-induced hypertension (Narendran et al., 2005).
Improved birthweight,
reduced IUGR (Rakhshani et al., 2012).
Stronger maternal–fetal bonding:
Encouraged through mindful movement and attention.
🤱 Postnatal Support, Too
Lower postnatal depression rates
(Battle et al., 2015).
Pelvic floor healing:
Yoga’s emphasis on breath and body awareness aligns with recovery best practices.
📚 Is It Safe?
Yes ✅
Cochrane Review (2015):
No adverse outcomes when taught appropriately.
NICE and RCM
recognise yoga as a safe and beneficial choice in pregnancy.
💬 Final Thoughts for Midwives
Pregnancy yoga isn’t a “nice-to-have”
— it’s a need-to-know.
It empowers women with tools they’ll actually use in labour.
It’s safe, evidence-based, and cost-effective.
And for you?
It means supporting women who are calmer, more confident,
and better equipped for birth
— which makes your work not just easier,
but even more fulfilling.
✅ Bringing It Into Practice
The research is clear: pregnancy yoga isn’t just “gentle stretching” — it’s an evidence-based, safe, and cost-effective way to support women through pregnancy, labour, and beyond.
To make this easier to share, I’ve created a printable summary leaflet with all the key evidence and references included.
👋 I’m Emma, a perinatal yoga teacher / educator / your role]
My work focuses on bridging the gap between evidence-based yoga and midwifery practice, so that women and their care teams feel more supported.