Reconnecting with the Self and Fetus through Mindfulness: Supporting Inner Balance and Bonding during Pregnancy
Ebru Sağıroğlu, Esmanur Körsü
Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar April 14, 2026 DOI: 10.18863/pgy.1662867 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Pregnant women |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and improve maternal-fetal bonding and childbirth-related outcomes. |
Abstract
Pregnancy is a complex period during which women experience profound physical, emotional, and social changes. Hormonal fluctuations, physiological transformations, and environmental factors during pregnancy can contribute to a range of psychosocial and psychiatric issues, such as stress, fear of childbirth, anxiety, and depression. In recent years, mindfulness-based approaches have been increasingly utilized to support emotional regulation and enhance coping skills during pregnancy. This review explores the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on managing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and on supporting maternal-fetal bonding, within the framework of the “Disconnect to Reconnect” model. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) programs are effective in reducing stress and anxiety, as well as alleviating depressive symptoms. Furthermore, several studies have reported that these programs contribute to a reduced fear of childbirth, enhanced childbirth-related self-efficacy, and strengthened maternal-fetal attachment. Some research also suggests that mindfulness practices have a positive influence on body image, increase self-compassion, and facilitate adaptation to breastfeeding during the postpartum period. Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as promising tools to promote psychological and physical well-being during pregnancy. Future studies are recommended to examine their long-term effects in greater depth.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 23
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of Neurocognitive Outcomes and Applications for Mental Health and Well-Being. Journal of Clinical Medicine March 3, 2025
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on depression in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders May 1, 2024
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Counseling on Blood Glucose and Perceived Stress in Women with Gestational Diabetes Revista Brasileira Ginecologia e Obstetrícia September 1, 2023
- The Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Mental Health Outcomes in Pregnant Woman: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The journal of nursing research : JNR December 1, 2023
and 18 more in the library