The Exercise After Postpartum and Its Benefits for Maternal Mental Health : A Narrative Review

Authors

  • Devi Maya Arista Faculty of Medicine, State University of Surabaya, Surabaya
  • Nidya Comdeca Nurvitriana Faculty of Medicine, State University of Surabaya, Surabaya
  • Sandiena Adzra Universitas Negeri Surabaya
  • Nadya Rahmadilla Brahmady
  • Nabila Natasya Putra
  • Karunia Wijayanti Faculty of Medicine, State University of Surabaya, Surabaya

Keywords:

Postpartum exercise, Maternal, mental health

Abstract

The postpartum period is a critical phase marked by significant physical and psychological adjustments in mothers, including an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Addressing maternal mental health during this period is essential to ensure maternal well-being and the quality of infant care. This study aims to review the benefits of postpartum physical activity on maternal mental health.  A narrative review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate, focusing on publications from 2020 to 2025. The findings consistently indicate that postpartum exercise, including structured routines such as yoga and postpartum exercise, contributes to reduced levels of anxiety and depression while also promoting emotional balance, neurochemical regulation, and psychosocial adjustment. Therefore, physical activity after childbirth can be considered a safe, effective, and accessible strategy to support maternal mental health.

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References

Yunita, S. et al. (2024) ‘Pengaruh Senam Nifas Terhadap Tingkat Kecemasan Ibu Post Partum Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Kerang’, 3(2), pp. 75–81.

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Hasanah, S. N., Azhimia, F., & Friscila, I. (2024). Effects of prenatal yoga adherence on postpartum maternal mental health. Jurnal Kebidanan Malahayati, 10(10), 964–972. http://ejurnalmalahayati.ac.id/index.php/kebidanan

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Coll, C. de V.N. et al. (2019) ‘Efficacy of Regular Exercise During Pregnancy on the Prevention of Postpartum Depression: The PAMELA Randomized Clinical Trial’, JAMA network open, 2(1), p. e186861. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.6861

Jannah, M. and Kusumaningsih, M.R. (2022) ‘Hubungan Latihan Fisik dengan Depresi Postpartum’, Jurnal Kesehatan, 13(2), pp. 266–271. Available at: https://doi.org/10.26630/jk.v13i2.3001.

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Published

2025-07-08

How to Cite

Arista, D. M., Nurvitriana, N. C., Adzra, S., Nadya Rahmadilla Brahmady, Nabila Natasya Putra, & Wijayanti, K. (2025). The Exercise After Postpartum and Its Benefits for Maternal Mental Health : A Narrative Review. International Conference on Biomedical and Sports Medicine, 1(01), 38–43. Retrieved from https://ejournal.unesa.ac.id/index.php/ibismed/article/view/70486

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Section

Review Articles
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