title: Mindful pregnancy and childbirth: effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on women's psychological distress and well-being in the perinatal period.
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.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. cassandradunn@optusnet.com.au
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hanieh
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Powrie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058725:Peripartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome