Effects of Yoga in Pregnancy on Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review

Postpartum depression is a common condition, which is managed by antidepressants. Antidepressants are generally considered to be safe during breastfeeding, and the probability of exposure to antidepressants through breast milk is low to very low. Due to the beliefs of breastfeeding women that antidepressants may have side effects on infants, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is being investigated to play a role in the management of postpartum depression. Yoga is among the complementary therapies that showed preventive effects against depression in some age and disease groups.

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of Yoga intervention on healthy pregnant women and its preventive effects on postpartum depression.

Clinical databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Medlib, Web of Science, Psych Info, and Cochrane Library, as well as Google Scholar, were searched using search keywords, including pregnant women, women, maternal period, yoga, mindfulness, postpartum depression, and depression. Clinical trial, case-control, and cohort articles in English language that assessed the effects of Yoga on postpartum depression in healthy women were reviewed. Among the initial 982 identified studies, five studies (271 subjects) were eligible for the review. Due to the high heterogeneity in the studies, meta-analysis was not performed.

One study had medium quality, one study had good quality, and three studies had high quality. Yoga intervention included physical and mindfulness exercises and assessed mood and behavior during pregnancy. The intervention duration ranged between 6 and 24 weeks during pregnancy. In the majority of studies, Yoga intervention reduced postpartum depression and other mental disorders.

Yoga may be a beneficial and safe choice in the management of postpartum depression in healthy pregnant women.