REDUCING ANXIETY FACING CHILDBIRTH THROUGH PRENATAL YOGA

Abstract

Introduction: Indonesian shows that 71,9% experience anxiety during pregnancy. Stress and anxiety can stimulate an increase in the hormone corticotropin which interact with the hormones oxytocin and prostaglandins. Anxiety as a response to stress, can stimulate the body to be difficult to relax. Prenatal yoga is a type of bodywork, mind and mental exercise that is useful for flexing muscles, joint and soothes the mind and also helps pregnant women build self-confidence, and think positively before childbirth. The aim of this study is determine the differences in anxiety of third trimester pregnant women before and after doing yoga. Methods: the applied research design in this study was pre-experimental research design one-group pretest and posttest. Samples were selected using an accidental sampling technique. The instrument used was measures for the level of anxiety STAI. Data were collected using primary data by providing a questionnaire that was filled by pregnant women. Result: There were increase in the level of moderate anxiety 75%, after the intervention there were  increase in 2 respondents to 14 (87.5%) who came from high anxiety, so that no one experienced a high level of anxiety (0%). Conclusion: There were increased anxiety levels facing childbirth in third trimester pregnant women after doing prenatal yoga.