Abstract
Background:Though widely discussed, mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) to improve maternal mental health is limited by lack of studies with system incorporation. We evaluate the feasibility of incorporating a MBI program into routine antenatal care (ANC) in Sri Lanka.Methods:MBI included learning mindfulness concepts, practicing mindfulness sitting/reclining meditation, performing mindful movements and practicing mindfulness in daily life. Feedback from the participants were obtained through an anonymous, self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire to determine the program’s cultural appropriateness, usefulness, and feasibility.Results:Participants reported that the training reduced the stress of their daily life, brought a sense of calmness to their mind and body, and improved their anger management. Participants felt strongly that this training would be very useful and a shortened version be included in the national ANC program.Conclusions:A systematic assessment of impact of MBI is needed with system incorporation of the suggested programme.
Highlights
Pregnancy and childbirth represent a time of increased vulnerability, during which a woman is exposed to many physiological and psychosocial changes
The prevalence of mental health disorders in pregnancy and postpartum period is much greater in low-income countries (LIC) and lowermiddle-income countries (LMIC) (Fisher et al, 2012) than in high income countries (HIC) (Hendrick et al, 1998)
We report here a feasibility study on developing and incorporating a mental health promotion program based on mindfulness for pregnant women of Sri Lanka
Summary
Pregnancy and childbirth represent a time of increased vulnerability, during which a woman is exposed to many physiological and psychosocial changes. Of the mental health problems experienced by pregnant and postpartum women, antenatal depression, anxiety, and post-partum depression are the most common (O’Hara & Swain, 1996) These mental health issues may lead to adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes such as small for gestational age baby (Dejin-Karlsson et al, 2000), developmental delays (Bernard-Bonnin, 2004), poor mother-infant interaction (Cohn & Tronick, 1989), negative affect in the infant (Tronick & Reck, 2009), problems with cognitive development (Singer & Fagen, 1992) and affective disorders / attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children (Lesesne et al, 2003). Conclusions: A systematic assessment of impact of MBI is needed with system incorporation of the suggested programme
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