Yoga as a form of leisure-time physical activity and pregnancy health outcomes

Abstract Background Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) promotes pregnancy health, but few studies have investigated how yoga — a mind-body activity — is associated with pregnancy outcomes. Objective To determine if engaging in yoga was associated with lower risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). Methods The nuMoM2b prospective cohort study enrolled nulliparous women in their first trimester of pregnancy from eight U.S. clinical centers between October 2010-September 2013 and followed through delivery. LTPA was determined each trimester from an interview querying usual participation in up to three activities (including yoga). Yoga durations were averaged across trimesters. Participants were classified as: no yoga (0 min/week), low yoga (1-