Mindful pregnancy and childbirth: effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on women’s psychological distress and well-being in the perinatal period
- 1 March 2012
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Nature in Archives of Women's Mental Health
- Vol. 15 (2) , 139-143
Abstract
This pilot study explored the effects of an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group on pregnant women. Participants reported a decline in measures of depression, stress and anxiety; with these improvements continuing into the postnatal period. Increases in mindfulness and self-compassion scores were also observed over time. Themes identified from interviews describing the experience of participants were: ‘stop and think’, ‘prior experience or expectations’, ‘embracing the present’, ‘acceptance’ and ‘shared experience’. Childbirth preparation classes might benefit from incorporating training in mindfulness.Keywords
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