The Relationship Between Prenatal Yoga, Social Determinants of Health, Maternal Factors and Breastfeeding Outcomes

Breastfeeding is a critical public health goal, with the World Health Organization (WHO) aiming for a 50% global exclusive breastfeeding rate during the first six months of life by 2025 [1]. However, numerous barriers, including fear of childbirth, labor stress, medical interventions, and anxiety, continue to impede breastfeeding success. Prenatal Yoga has been suggested as a potential intervention to reduce these factors by decreasing fear, anxiety, and labor duration, thereby potentially enhancing breastfeeding outcomes. Despite this, there is limited evidence on the direct impact of prenatal Yoga on breastfeeding.This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the relationship between prenatal Yoga participation and breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. A sample of 180 participants was assessed for their prenatal Yoga practices, social determinants of health, and maternal factors. Findings indicated that prenatal Yoga significantly improved childbirth experiences, particularly by reducing medical interventions and enhancing maternal satisfaction during labor. However, no statistically significant relationship was observed between prenatal Yoga practice and breastfeeding outcomes.These results underscore the need for further research, including randomized controlled trials, to better understand the potential role of prenatal Yoga in promoting breastfeeding success. Clinical Trial Number: not applicable.