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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention for fear of childbirth among women planned for normal delivery: A pilot randomised controlled trial
1
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Nethersole School of Nursing, Hong Kong SAR, China
2
Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center- Guangzhou Medical University, Department of Nursing, Guangzhou, China
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A292
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Fear of childbirth (FOC) is common among pregnant women. Mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in managing emotional disorders, but its evidence on FOC is limited.
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on FOC, pain catastrophising and mindfulness level among pregnant women planned for normal delivery.
METHODS:
This pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ChiCTR2500097034). Women with 24+1 to 29+6 weeks of gestation planning vaginal deliveries were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group, receiving an online mindfulness-based intervention with 8 weekly 40-minute sessions, or a control group, receiving usual care. Outcomes were measured at baseline (T0) and immediate post-intervention (T1), and semi-structured interviews were conducted at one-week post-intervention to test the acceptability. Independent t-test and Hedge’s g were used to analyse the intervention effects and effect sizes.
RESULTS:
A total of 24 participants were recruited. The recruitment, attrition, and intervention completion rate were 20.0%, 12.5%, and 75.0%, respectively. The intervention group showed greater FOC reduction (measured by Wijma Delivery Expectancy/ Experience Questionnaire version A) and mindfulness level increase (measured by non-judging subscale of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, FFMQ) than the control group (Hedge's g=-1.13, 95%CI: -2.06, -0.19; Hedge's g=1.00, 95%CI: 0.08, 1.92, respectively). No significant changes were found in other FFMQ subscales or pain catastrophising. Based on qualitative results, 9/10 participants perceived the benefits of the intervention, and 7/10 participants expressed the willingness to continue practising.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mindfulness-based intervention is feasible, acceptable, and shows potential to reduce FOC and enhance mindfulness level. Further larger-scale RCT with longer follow-up is needed to confirm the effect of the intervention on the outcomes.
KEY MESSAGE:
Mindfulness-based intervention is perceived as feasible and acceptable by pregnant women planned for normal delivery, with potential to reduce their FOC and promote mindfulness level. Pregnancy - preparation
Fear of childbirth (FOC) is common among pregnant women. Mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in managing emotional disorders, but its evidence on FOC is limited.
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on FOC, pain catastrophising and mindfulness level among pregnant women planned for normal delivery.
METHODS:
This pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ChiCTR2500097034). Women with 24+1 to 29+6 weeks of gestation planning vaginal deliveries were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group, receiving an online mindfulness-based intervention with 8 weekly 40-minute sessions, or a control group, receiving usual care. Outcomes were measured at baseline (T0) and immediate post-intervention (T1), and semi-structured interviews were conducted at one-week post-intervention to test the acceptability. Independent t-test and Hedge’s g were used to analyse the intervention effects and effect sizes.
RESULTS:
A total of 24 participants were recruited. The recruitment, attrition, and intervention completion rate were 20.0%, 12.5%, and 75.0%, respectively. The intervention group showed greater FOC reduction (measured by Wijma Delivery Expectancy/ Experience Questionnaire version A) and mindfulness level increase (measured by non-judging subscale of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, FFMQ) than the control group (Hedge's g=-1.13, 95%CI: -2.06, -0.19; Hedge's g=1.00, 95%CI: 0.08, 1.92, respectively). No significant changes were found in other FFMQ subscales or pain catastrophising. Based on qualitative results, 9/10 participants perceived the benefits of the intervention, and 7/10 participants expressed the willingness to continue practising.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mindfulness-based intervention is feasible, acceptable, and shows potential to reduce FOC and enhance mindfulness level. Further larger-scale RCT with longer follow-up is needed to confirm the effect of the intervention on the outcomes.
KEY MESSAGE:
Mindfulness-based intervention is perceived as feasible and acceptable by pregnant women planned for normal delivery, with potential to reduce their FOC and promote mindfulness level. Pregnancy - preparation
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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