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: This pilot study suggests that an interventional study to evaluate system incorporation of a MBI to improve maternal mental health is feasible.
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)
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)
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: This pilot study suggests that an interventional study to evaluate system incorporation of a MBI to improve maternal mental health is feasible
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