Effects of mindfulness-based childbirth preparation education on psychosocial outcomes in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Mindfulness-based interventions have been increasingly integrated into antenatal education programs to improve maternal psychosocial well-being. However, evidence regarding their effects on perceived stress, depressive symptoms, childbirth self-efficacy, and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Mindfulness-Based Childbirth Preparation Education (MBCPE) on psychosocial outcomes in primiparous pregnant women. This study was designed as a prospective, randomized controlled trial. The study was completed with 74 pregnant women, including 36 participants in the intervention group and 38 participants in the control group. The intervention group received Mindfulness-Based Childbirth Preparation Education over eight weeks, while the control group received Information-Based Childbirth Preparation Education over four weeks. Outcome measures included the Perceived Stress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, childbirth self-efficacy, and postpartum PTSD symptoms. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare group differences, with significance set at p < 0.05. A statistically significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups in terms of Perceived Stress Scale and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale mean scores ( p < 0.05), indicating lower stress and depressive symptoms in the intervention group. However, no significant differences were observed between groups in childbirth self-efficacy or postpartum PTSD symptoms assessed at the fourth postpartum week ( p > 0.05). Mindfulness-Based Childbirth Preparation Education appears to be effective in reducing perceived stress and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, it does not appear to provide an additional benefit for childbirth self-efficacy compared with the control group. No significant between-group difference was observed in postpartum PTSD symptoms assessed at the fourth postpartum week. These findings provide preliminary support for the inclusion of mindfulness-based components in antenatal education to enhance maternal psychosocial well-being. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on November 1, 2023 (NCT06111716).