The effect of mindfulness-based intervention on mother’s body image and maternal fetal attachment

A quasi-experimental study of 70 pregnant women in Isfahan, Iran, tested whether a 6-session mindfulness counseling course, added to routine prenatal care, improved body image and maternal–fetal attachment. Body image scores did not differ significantly between groups before or after the intervention. Maternal–fetal attachment scores in the intervention group rose from 93.4 to 99.06, a significant increase, and were significantly higher than the control group's post-intervention score of 93.5. The authors conclude mindfulness-based counseling improved maternal–fetal attachment and may be useful in maternal mental health programs, but further research is needed for body image.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is associated with a wide range of physiologic and psychologic changes that could affect a mother’s body image and maternal–fetal attachment. One of the presented interventions regarding body image and maternal fetal attachment is mindfulness-based intervention. According to the evidence, mindfulness could be affected by various variables such as sociocultural background. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of mindfulness-based intervention on mothers’ body image and maternal fetal attachment among women who referred to the comprehensive health center of Isfahan-Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 pregnant women who were referred to the comprehensive health centers of Isfahan. The sampling method was convenient, and participants were allocated into two groups. While both groups received routine prenatal care, the intervention group also participated in a 6-session mindfulness counseling course. Demographic characteristics questionnaire, body image, and maternal fetal attachment scale were completed before and 1 month after the end of the intervention by both groups. Data were analyzed using the student t -test, Chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the intervention and control group before (respectively, 105.3 and 103.3) and after (respectively, 106 and 105.4) the intervention regarding the score of body image. In the control group, the mean maternal–fetal attachment score did not differ significantly after the intervention compared to before (respectively, 93.6 and 93.5). However, in the intervention group, there was a significant difference between the score of attachment before and after (respectively, 93.4 and 99.06) the intervention ( P = 0.004). The mean score of maternal fetal attachment after the intervention showed a significant difference ( P = 0.009) between the intervention and control group (99.06 and 93.5), meaning that the mean score of maternal fetal attachment was higher in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based counseling was effective in the improvement of maternal fetal attachment and could be used in interventional programs related to the mental health of pregnant mothers. Also, to design interventions for improvement of body image in pregnant mothers further studies should be conducted.