Acute Fetal Response to Prenatal Yoga

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Prenatal yoga has become a popular means of exercise during pregnancy.

Detailed Description
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In 2012, yoga was reported to be practiced by approximately 20 million Americans, out of which 82% are women practitioners. The effects of yoga on the fetus have not been demonstrated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acute fetal response to yoga exercises by assessing fetal well-being via ultrasound and non-stress testing among healthy women. The investigators hypothesize that yoga during pregnancy does not have any acute negative effects on fetal behavior as assessed by umbilical artery Dopplers and fetal heart rate or maternal vital signs.

Official Title
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Acute Fetal Response to Prenatal Yoga: A Single Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial (TRY Yoga Study)

Conditions
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Pregnancy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Yoga intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Uncomplicated singletons pregnancies Gestational age between 28 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks No known fetal anomalies Women with no prior experience with yoga Currently receiving routine prenatal care No contraindications to exercise Able to read and understand English Well dated pregnancy Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant minors less than 18 years of age Multiple gestations Those patients that have been advised by their doctor not to exercise during this pregnancy (i.e. Vaginal bleeding, history of preterm delivery less than 34 weeks, cervical insufficiency, cerclage in place, placenta previa, any chronic medical conditions) Congenital fetal anomalies or intrauterine growth restriction Cigarette smokers Chronic narcotic dependence

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Yoga Intervention<br>A 1-hour yoga session will take place with guided instruction provided by a registered yoga instructor. The class includes a warm up period of 5 minutes, which includes sitting with the eyes closed and slowly breathing through the nose. After which the participant will perform a series of yoga postures in coordination with her breathing for approximately 45 minutes. The last 10 minutes of class will encompass a semi-recumbent relaxation period. This is a one time intervention. | Behavioral: Yoga intervention<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control group<br>In order to control for 1 hour worth of time, the participants in the control group will be given a 1 hour Power Point presentation on the benefits of exercise and yoga during pregnancy. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| umbilical artery S/D ratio (Dopplers) | The primary outcome of our study will be assessing umbilical artery S/D ratio (Dopplers). Doppler examination will be performed on the day of intervention. Approximately 20-30 minutes prior to the intervention and 20-30 minutes after a 1 hour intervention. | An umbilical artery ratio will be obtained on the day of intervention via an ultrasound machine. The first assessment will be before the intervention. The second assessment will be after a 1 hour intervention. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fetal Heart Rate | The secondary outcome will be the fetal heart rate. To assess if there is a change from 20-30 minutes prior to an intervention, to 20 -30 minutes after a 1 hour intervention. | Fetal heart rate will be obtained on the day of intervention via a non stress test. The first assessment will be before the intervention. The second assessment will be after a 1 hour intervention. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Prenatal Yoga, Yoga, Pregnancy, Yoga, Fetal Response