Assessing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs on mental health during pregnancy and early motherhood - a randomized control trial

Wan-Lin Pan,Shin-Ming Chen,Meei-Ling Gau,Chiung-Wen Chang

doi:10.1186/s12884-019-2503-4

Abstract

BackgroundThe process of entering motherhood is highly stressful for women, with 15–85% of new mothers experiencing postpartum blues or depression. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting program in improving psychological health during the postpartum period.MethodsThis research was a randomized controlled trial with single blinding. Recruitment began after the participating hospital granted formal approval. A total of 74 women between 13 and 28-weeks gestation were allocated either to the intervention group or to the comparison group. The intervention program included a series of eight, 3-h classes held once weekly and 1 day of 7-h silent meditation. Psychological health was assessed at baseline and 3-months postpartum.ResultsSignificant differences in stress and depression were observed in both groups over time. Stress scores and depression scores were significantly better in the intervention group than in the comparison group at 3-months postpartum (F = 7.19, p = .009 and F = 7.36, p = .008, respectively). No significant difference between the groups was identified for mindfulness scores at 3-months postpartum.ConclusionsThe intervention program effectively reduced postpartum self-perceived stress and depression, suggesting that this program provides acceptable and long-term benefits to women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The teaching and practice of mindfulness meditation and parenting education during pregnancy may help reduce stress and depression in pregnant women as they transition into parenthood.Trial registrationThe ClinicalTrials.gov identifier for this study is: NCT03185910. The study was retrospectively registered on 14 June 2017.

Highlights

The process of entering motherhood is highly stressful for women, with 15–85% of new mothers experiencing postpartum blues or depression
This study considered whether the identified differences in mental health persisted into the longer postpartum period
The findings of this study highlight the potential efficacy of an 8-week mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting (MBCP) intervention in improving stress and depression in postpartum women

Summary

Introduction

The process of entering motherhood is highly stressful for women, with 15–85% of new mothers experiencing postpartum blues or depression. An increasing body of evidence suggests that perinatal stress and depression are symbolic expressions of powerlessness that negatively affect new mothers’ intimate and social lives (e.g., poor attachment with their babies and reduced interpersonal interactions) and have both shortand long-term negative effects on mothers and newborns [4] (e.g., increased incidence of preterm birth, fetal growth retardation, and low Apgar scores) [5, 6]. These adverse outcomes are associated with increased risks to the neurobehavioral and cognitive development of babies and children [7]. As women are often required to continue shouldering heavy work, social, and family demands while caring for their newborn child, the mental health of postpartum women deserves particular attention

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