The effect of mindfulness-based counseling on the childbirth experience of primiparous women: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Bahare Sharegi Oskoui, Esmat Mehrabi, Roghaiyeh Nourizadeh, Khalil Esmaeilpour
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth April 21, 2023 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05607-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 64 |
| Population | Primiparous women at 32 to 34 weeks of gestation referred to perinatology clinics at Al-Zahra and Taleghani hospitals, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based counseling |
| Duration | Eight mindfulness-based counseling sessions; assessments after childbirth |
| Measures | Visual Analog Scale (VAS), childbirth experience questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Labor pain Counseling Pregnancy Parturition Infant Iran Female Surveys and questionnaires Child birth experience Child birth pain |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based counseling was associated with a significantly higher childbirth experience score (mean difference 1.79, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.52) and significantly lower labor pain scores (mean difference -2.21, 95% CI -3.35 to -1.10) compared with the control group after adjusting for confounders. The authors state that further randomized clinical trials are needed before a definitive conclusion can be made. |
Abstract
Introduction: Unpleasant childbirth experience is considered as one of the important factors for cesarean preference. Limited studies have been investigated the impact of psycho-based interventions on the childbirth experience and the most effective counseling approach to promote a pleasant childbirth experience has not been clearly identified.
Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of mindfulness-based counseling on the childbirth experience of primiparous women. Methods and materials: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 primiparous with gestational age of 32 to 34 weeks referred to the perinatology clinic of Al-Zahra and Taleghani educational-treatment hospital, affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical sciences, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received eight mindfulness-based counseling sessions. The intensity of childbirth pain with VAS (Visual Analog Scale) in the active phase of labor at 8 cm dilatation and the childbirth experience questionnaire were completed by interview after childbirth. Independent t-test and ANCOVA were used to compare the outcomes between the two groups.
Results: After controlling the effect of confounding variables, the mean score of childbirth experience in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in control group [Mean Difference (MD): 1.79, 95% CI: 2.52 to 1.07, P < 0.01]. The mean score of labor pain in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group after controlling the effect of baseline score and confounding variables [MD: -2.21, 95% CL: -3.35 to -1.10, P < 0.001].
Conclusion: The findings indicated that providing mindfulness-based counseling improves the childbirth experience and reduces labor pain during childbirth. However, further randomized clinical trials are needed before making a definitive conclusion.
Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20171007036615N9. Date of
Registration: 16/03/2022, 25/12/1400.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Counseling on the Mental Health of Women With a History of COVID-19 During Pregnancy: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Brain and Behavior October 1, 2024
- Effect of meditation and prenatal education on fear and confidence in vaginal delivery Frontiers in Public Health December 10, 2025
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Practices in the Perinatal and Postpartum Periods on Women's Health: A Systematic Review Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar November 2, 2024
Cites 4
- Meditation and Mindfulness in Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Review of the Evidence. Clinical obstetrics and gynecology June 23, 2021
- The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in acute pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis Pain August 1, 2020
- Brief Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Acute and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine March 1, 2019
- Benefits of preparing for childbirth with mindfulness training: a randomized controlled trial with active comparison BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth August 14, 2018