2024, Volume 17, Issue 2, pp 210 – 216

The effect of yoga training on postpartum prolactin and oxytocin levels in primipara women

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Authors and Affiliations

Corresponding author Martha Irene Kartasurya Public Health Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia E-mail: marthakartasurya@live.undip.ac.id

Abstract

Lactation relies on the secretion of two key hormones, prolactin and oxytocin. Studies have shown that yoga in the postpartum period can stimulate feelings of comfort and relaxation, which increases oxytocin production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of yoga training on postpartum prolactin and oxytocin levels in a group of primipara women. This quasi-experimental study included 60 healthy primigravida, primipara women in their third trimester who attended antepartum and postpartum care at four primary healthcare centers in Kediri Regency. The participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 30) and a control (n = 30) group. The intervention group received health education and participated at eight yoga sessions with a duration of 60 min, from week 32 of gestation until the postpartum period. The control group received standard antepartum and postpartum care. Prolactin and oxytocin levels were measured in weeks 1 and 6 postpartum. Mean prolactin increment was significantly higher in the intervention group (176.8 ± 66.6 ng/ml) than the control group (24.8 ± 39.5 ng/ml). Similarly, mean oxytocin increment was significantly higher in the intervention group (58.6 ± 31.59 pg/ml) than the control group (14.6 ± 36.06 pg/ml). Our results suggest that yoga training in the third trimester until the postpartum period increases prolactin and oxytocin levels among primipara postpartum women.

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About this article

PMC ID: 11131631
PubMed ID: 
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0390

Article Publishing Date (print): 2 2024
Available Online: 

Journal information

ISSN Printing: 1844-122X
ISSN Online: 1844-3117
Journal Title: Journal of Medicine and Life

Copyright License: Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.


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