ABSTRACT
Background: Pregnancy-related stress and anxiety can have adverse effects on both maternal and fetal health. MBIs, rooted in mindfulness meditation, promote present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance. These practices have shown promise in reducing stress and anxiety across various populations, but their impact on pregnant women remains an area of active research.
Aim: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in reducing stress and anxiety in pregnant women.
Methodology: The study was conducted in Health Ways Hospital OTS road Kohat. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with a sample of pregnant women in their second and third trimesters. Participants were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness intervention group or a control group. The mindfulness intervention consisted of guided mindfulness exercises tailored to the needs of pregnant women, conducted over a period of eight weeks. The control group received standard prenatal care without mindfulness components. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of stress and anxiety levels were conducted using standardized scales.
Results: The results indicated a significant reduction in both stress and anxiety levels among pregnant women who participated in the mindfulness intervention compared to the control group. The mindfulness group exhibited improved emotional well-being and reported enhanced coping mechanisms. These findings suggest that Mindfulness-Based Interventions can be a valuable tool in managing stress and anxiety during pregnancy.
Conclusion: This study provides empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in reducing stress and anxiety among pregnant women. Incorporating mindfulness practices into prenatal care holds the potential to enhance the overall well-being of both expectant mothers and their unborn children. Further research could explore the long-term effects of such interventions and their impact on birth outcomes.
Keywords: Mindfulness-Based Interventions, pregnancy, stress, anxiety, prenatal care, mindfulness meditation, emotional well-being, randomized controlled trial.