PURPOSE:
This presentation shares insights from seven years of "Maternity Zazen," a Zen meditation program designed for pregnant women and led by Buddhist monks at Kenchoji, a renowned Zen temple in Japan. The aim is to highlight how Zen practices, known for calming the mind and enhancing self-awareness, positively influence childbirth.

DISCUSSION:
Childbirth, inherently physiological and natural, is often accompanied by anxiety heightened by contemporary societal pressures and overwhelming information. Mindfulness-based interventions, effective in reducing stress and managing pain, are increasingly used in maternal care (Marchand, 2012; Duncan et al., 2017). Mindfulness originates from Zen Buddhism, emphasizing present-moment awareness, acceptance, and self-compassion. "Maternity Zazen" employs authentic Zen meditation, potentially offering enhanced benefits due to its profound cultural and spiritual context. We received ethical approval from the Tokushukai Group Joint Ethics Committee (TGE02642-024) to conduct survey for "Materity Zazen" program. Surveys from 266 participants (145 women and family members, 121 medical staff) indicated high satisfaction (98%) and perceived benefits of childbirth preparation (70%). Zen meditation during pregnancy fosters greater self-awareness and self-efficacy, aligned with Suzuki’s philosophy in "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" (1970). Ongoing evaluations suggest additional positive effects on postpartum mental health, including reduced stress and lower postpartum depression risk.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Survey outcomes from seven years of implementation serve as preliminary evidence, reflecting significant participant satisfaction and perceived effectiveness. Further rigorous research is necessary to validate clinical outcomes.

KEY MESSAGE:
Zen philosophy, emphasizing acceptance of natural processes, aligns inherently with childbirth. Integrating traditional Zen practices into maternity care provides a culturally sensitive and holistic approach relevant to international midwifery practices, empowering women by fostering mental clarity, self-confidence, and resilience during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Workforce - MMOC