Mindfulness in maternity: Evaluation of a course for midwives

Abstract

Stress and burnout are endemic in the NHS and the midwifery profession, having a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of individual midwives and on retention and recruitment for the profession as a whole. Stress can also have a negative impact on the care of women as midwives seek to manage their stress levels by employing strategies such as task orientation. As part of a larger project to engage staff in personal and workplace wellbeing, the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust maternity services provided staff with the opportunity to learn the practice of mindfulness meditation. An 8-week course was made available with the intention of supporting staff to manage stress and anxiety, increase resilience and self-compassion, and improve the culture of the organisation as a whole. Evaluations carried out immediately post-course and after 4–6 months indicated a positive impact in both personal and organisational domains.