Contemporary Ergonomic Solutions and Yoga Techniques (Asanas and Pranayama) for Prenatal Care
Abstract
The workplace environment significantly impacts the physical and psychological well-being of pregnant employees. Pregnancy brings challenges such as postural problems, backache, and reduced coordination, affecting work performance. A specialized ergonomic assessment helps address these issues. This paper explores combining ergonomic solutions with holistic practices like Vihara, which includes Asana (Yoga postures) and Pranayama (breathing exercises), to improve prenatal care. These techniques enhance flexibility, reduce stress, and adapt to the mother’s changing needs across all trimesters. They support both physiological and psychological well-being, ensuring comfort and health. Pregnancy-related changes, including pain, spinal curvature, gait, and balance, require careful attention. Workplace hazards such as exposure to harmful substances and musculoskeletal injuries pose risks to maternal and fetal health.[1] A comprehensive approach - covering work environment, scheduling, communication, clothing, footwear, and diet - promotes a safe pregnancy while maintaining employment. Yoga, integrated into Vihara-based ergonomics, offers benefits like physical ease and psychological resilience. It improves maternal health, enhances prenatal care satisfaction, and fosters a positive pregnancy experience. Conversely, poor workplace ergonomics can lead to complications, including infertility, miscarriage, preterm births, and low birth weight babies.[2] Regular practice of Asana and Pranayama throughout pregnancy supports a smoother labor and a healthier postpartum experience, with modifications tailored to each trimester for maximum benefits.
Downloads
References
Yoo H, Shin D, Song C. Changes in spinal curvature, pain degree, balance ability, and gait ability during pregnancy. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(3):279–84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.279.
Francis F, Johnsunderraj SE, Divya KY, et al. Ergonomic stressors among pregnant healthcare workers: impact on pregnancy outcomes and recommended safety practices. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021;21(2):e172. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8219330/.
Salvendy G, ed. Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics. 4th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley; 2012. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118131350.
Karwowski W. Ergonomics and human factors: paradigms for human-compatible systems. Ergonomics. 2005;48(5):436–63. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130400029167.
Buckle P. Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders: overview. Occup Med (Lond). 2005;55(3):164–7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqi081.
Adinma JI, Adinma ED, Umeononihu OS, et al. Prevalence, perception, and risk factors for musculoskeletal discomfort among pregnant women in Nigeria. J Musculoskelet Disord Treat. 2018;4:63. Available from: https://doi.org/10.23937/2572-3243.1510063.
Tapp LM. The pregnant worker and ergonomics. In: ASSE Professional Development Conference and Exposition; 2001 Jun 10. ASSE. Available from: https://onepetro.org/ASSPPDCE/proceedings-abstract/ASSE01/All-ASSE01/33573.
Rogers B, Buckheit K, Ostendorf J. Ergonomics and nursing in hospital environments. Workplace Health Saf. 2013;61(10):429–39. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/216507991306101003.
Cheng PL, Pantel M, Smith JT, et al. Back pain in working pregnant women: identification of associated occupational factors. Appl Ergon. 2009;40(3):419–23. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2008.11.002.
Shaw P, Duncan A, Vouyouka A, Ozsvath K. Radiation exposure and pregnancy. J Vasc Surg. 2011;53(1 Suppl):28S–34S. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2010.05.140.
Banerjee B. Physical hazards in employment and pregnancy outcome. Indian J Community Med. 2009;34(2):89–93. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.51224.
Zhu JL, Knudsen LE, Andersen AM, et al. Laboratory work and pregnancy outcomes: a study within the National Birth Cohort in Denmark. Occup Environ Med. 2006;63(1):53–8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2005.021204.
Błaszczyk JW, Opala-Berdzik A, Plewa M. Adaptive changes in spatiotemporal gait characteristics in women during pregnancy. Gait Posture. 2016;43(1):160–4. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.09.016.
Caruso CC. Reducing risks to women linked to shift work, long work hours, and workplace fatigue. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2015;24(10):789–94. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2015.5481.
Escribá-Agüir V, Perez-Hoyos S, Saurel-Cubizolles MJ. Physical load and psychological demand at work during pregnancy and preterm birth. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2001;74(8):583–8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004200100259.
Hung S, Morrison DR, Whittington LA, Fein SB. Prepartum work, job characteristics, and risk of Cesarean delivery. Birth. 2002;29(1):10–7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536x.2002.00150.x.
Tanja-Dijkstra K, Pieterse ME. The psychological effects of healthcare environments on personnel. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(1):CD006210. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006210.pub3.
Salihu HM, Myers J, August EM. Pregnancy in the workplace. Occup Med (Lond). 2012;62(2):88–97. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqr198.
Bloom Prenatal Yoga. About prenatal yoga. Available from: https://bloomprenatalyoga.in/about-prenatal-yoga/.
WebMD. Benefits of yoga during pregnancy. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/baby/benefits-yoga-during-pregnancy.
Thakur J. Yoga in pregnancy: A boon to motherhood. J Ayurveda Holist Med (JAHM). 2016 Jan 12;3(6):121–9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.70066/jahm.v3i6.284.
What to Expect. Prenatal yoga: The perfect pregnancy exercise. Available from: https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/prenatal-yoga/.
Kangaroo Kids. The benefits of prenatal yoga: All you need to know. Available from: https://www.kangarookids.in/blog/the-benefits-of-prenatal-yoga-all-you-need-to-know/.
Art of Living. Pregnancy yoga | Yoga for pregnant women. Available from: https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/yoga-sequences-for/yoga-for-pregnant-women.
Plakans B. Tools for teaching prenatal yoga: The first trimester. Yoga J. 2008 Mar 11. Available from: http://www.yogajournal.com/article/teach-forteaching-prenatal-yoga.
PharmEasy. Benefits of Utthita Trikonasana and how to do it. Available from: https://pharmeasy.in/blog/health-fitness-benefits-of-utthita-trikonasana-and-how-to-do-it/.
Body and Mind Yogi. Prenatal yoga poses for the first trimester of pregnancy. Available from: https://bodyandmindyogi.com/prenatal-yoga-poses-for-first-trimester-of-pregnancy/.
Yoga Journal. Bound angle pose: How to practice Baddha Konasana. Available from: https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/bound-angle-pose-2/.
Chauhan S, Halli S, Pawar K, et al. Garbhasanskara: Boon for pregnant women. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci. 2018 Oct 31;3(5):153–8.
Apollo Cradle. 5 effective yoga poses to try during pregnancy. Available from: https://www.apollocradle.com/blog/pregnancy/5-effective-yoga-poses-to-try-during-pregnancy.
Art of Living. Pregnancy yoga poses for the second trimester. Available from: https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/yoga-sequences-for/pregnancy-yoga-poses-for-the-second-trimester.
Health and Yoga. Health and Yoga info. Available from: http://www.healthandyoga.comhtml/pfirst.aspx.
AYUSH Ministry. Yoga for women of reproductive age. Available from: https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/WHOCC/Books3/Yoga%20for%20Women%20of%20%20Rreproductive%20Age.pdf.
Vikaspedia. Pranayama – Wikipedia. Available from: https://vikaspedia.in/health/ayush/yoga-1/pranayama.
Academia.edu. Role of different asanas during prenatal and postnatal pregnancy. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/40092291/Role_of_Different_Asanas_during_Prenatal_and_Postnatal_Pregnancy.
