Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Transcendental Meditation in Pregnant Women

Background: Transcendental Meditation (TM) promotes a state of relaxation. It has been reported in vedic literature that practicing TM during pregnancy has health benefits .There is a paucity of data regarding use to TM by pregnant women. Objective: The aim was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward TM among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational, questionnaire-based study conducted in 100 antenatal women attending private nursing homes for their antenatal care. Results: Among the respondents, 32% were aware of TM and 22% practiced it during their current pregnancy, 15% practised it under a TM instructor. The time schedule followed by respondents was as follows, 15 women practised it for 20 min a day, 3 practised for 10 min a day, rest didn’t follow the schedule. Thirty percent respondents felt that TM was based on scientific evidence, while 25% felt it was safer than other relaxation techniques that is significantly more in women educated up-to or more than 12 th std. Twenty-five percent opined that TM is more efficacious than other relaxation techniques which is significantly more in working women. Relaxation of body and mind, easy to practice, were the most common advantages of practising TM during pregnancy. The main source of information about TM was internet and social media. Conclusion: Awareness about TM is less and so is the practice in the pregnant women. The importance of practising TM during pregnancy needs to be addressed. This will help the mothers to have healthy pregnancy and out-come. Key-wordsRelaxation techniques, Antenatal women, Questionnaire based study, Transcendental Meditation (TM) INTRODUCTION Ayurveda (Science of Life) is the comprehensive, natural health care system that originated in the ancient Vedic times of India [1] . According to Vedic science the true purpose of meditation is to connect oneself to one’s deep inner self. Techniques which achieve that goal serve the true purpose of meditation. According to Ayurveda the human body constitutes of three components, with their associated functions: Physical bodySthula sarira-gross body Inner facultyThe Inner faculty is the working consciousness, which is constantly changing and consists of: Access this article online Quick Response Code Website: