Mindfulness in the perinatal period

Section A:
Researchers have suggested that mindfulness may be a supportive intervention for perinatal women. This review evaluated studies to establish the strength of evidence and feasibility of digital, brief mindfulness-based interventions within this population. A systematic search yielded 13 papers meeting inclusion criteria. The review found promising support for the acceptability of interventions and cultivating mindfulness with tentative support for psychological wellbeing. Strength of support is limited by study design and quality. Controlled trials of brief mindfulness-based interventions are required to better assess the role of mindfulness in supporting psychological well-being for perinatal women.

Section B:
Research on mindfulness-based interventions within the postpartum period is currently scarce. New interventions to support mothers’ psychological wellbeing have been called for, with mindfulness-based interventions showing promise. This study explored the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of an online, brief mindfulness-based intervention for first-time mothers within the postpartum period. Mothers of infants under one year (n=112) participated in a pilot randomised controlled trial. Findings suggest the intervention was acceptable and feasible. Analysis of covariance revealed a statistically significant between-group difference in perceived stress at post-intervention, with the intervention group reporting reductions in comparison to the control group, supported further by reliable change indices.