Long-term Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting Program-a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate long-term effects of Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) during pregnancy on women's perceived stress and depressive symptoms during the first year postpartum. Methods Women (n = 193) who were pregnant with their first child and at risk for perinatal depression were randomized to MBCP or an active control condition, which consisted of a Lamaze childbirth class. The women provided self-reported data on perceived stress, depressive symptoms, positive states of mind, and the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire at baseline, postintervention, and at 3, 9, and 12 months postpartum. Results Linear mixed model analysis showed that the intervention group had a larger decrease in stress (p = 0.04) and depression scores (p = 0.004) and larger increase in positive states of mind (p < 0.001) and mindfulness scores (p < 0.001) from baseline to postintervention (10-12 weeks later), compared with the active control group. These initial effects were not sustained during the follow-up period. However, analyses restricted to mothers in the MBCP condition showed that those who reported continued mindfulness practice during the follow-up period (n = 50) had a greater initial effect of the intervention and sustained the effects to a larger degree, compared with mothers who did not continue practicing mindfulness (n = 21). Conclusions This study gives partial support for providing MBCP for pregnant women. Although the initial beneficial effects from MBCP were not sustained during the postpartum period, the findings warrant further investigations since the improvements take place in a time that is crucial for the mother-infant dyad.