WhatislearntfromMindfulnessBasedChildbirthandParen6ng

–par6cipantsexperiences

GunillaLönnberg,M.PH.PhDstudentMariaNiemiPhDProf.EvaNissen

GunillaLönnberg,M.PH.PhDstudentMariaNiemiPhDProf.EvaNissen

MBCP program N. Bardacke & Duncan, L.G.

§  8 sessions, 2h 15min long + reunion §  Integrating mindfulness with antenatal education §  Practises:

o  body scan o  mindful movement o  sitting and walking meditation o  loving kindness meditation o  insight dialogue o  methods to meet pain o  awareness of the baby o  informal meditation in daily life

§  Home practise 30 minutes per day

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Research project

N-194 primiparous women at risk of perinatal stress,

depression & anxiety Partners also invited

Intervention: MBCP program

Active control: Lamaze program

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10 mothers & 6 fathers

Individual in-depth interviews

Thematic analysis of the transcripts

with a phenomenological, inductive approach

10 mothers & 6 fathers

Individual in-depth interviews

Thematic analysis of the transcripts

with a phenomenological, inductive approach

Main theme

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“A new way of relating”

1) Acceptability

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I have always thought that mindfulness seems a bit airy-fairy. And I have always felt that it isn’t for me ... I did get something out of it . M3

I’ve been thinking that I will try mindfulness to get the stress levels down... But I never got around to it, so I was very happy to get to participate in this course ... I think it gave very, very much. M8

Since she thought it was so fun it was, like, ok … But for my own sake, it was completely meaningless I reckon… And I felt that no, I don’t buy this. F2

It eliminated some preconceived notions that I had had. I thought that these kinds of things were spaced-out, I had never understood them, not knowing what they were about. But now I know, with hindsight, that it is really, really positive. F1

2) Relating to oneself with deeper insight & self-compassion

You become better at sifting the thoughts. M1 I got the tools to stop the spiral of worry. M5 When a thought comes you don’t have to fight it but just let it be there ... and then it will pass. M10 Be in the feeling, is easier. M6 Especially I learned that with pregnancy, childbirth and children you can’t plan everything. Basically, there is a lot one cannot control so one should just accept it. Be kind to oneself… after all we are human. M9 6 November 2017 Gunilla Lönnberg 7

3) Help with coping with the pain and fear of childbirth

I can do this! M3

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I just took every moment as it came. M7

Not just for the woman but for the guy as well. F1

4) Help with challenges caring for the baby

A foundational approach of curiosity ... Instead of reacting with fear M8

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4) Help with challenges caring for the baby

This won’t last forever, it’s just now and then it’s over and then it will be good again. F6 I think you learnt to let go of control quite a bit ... you simply have to let go and follow a bit how things are and adjust a bit more. M8

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5) Relating to each other

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I think it pauses my presence, so that I can be with him more. M1

5) Relating to each other

I realized both how badly I listened to him and how hard it was to let him finish talking. M1 I wait and don’t get irritated … it became easier for him to talk about what he felt and what he went through. M6

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Conclusion & discussion

Depending on attitudes and motivation MBCP can prepare expectant parents

for the challenges they meet

when they go through the life-changing events of becoming parents.

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§  Glück’s theory of the development of personal wisdom. Glück J., B.S., The MORE Life Experience Model: A Theory of the Development of Personal Wisdom, in The Scientific Study of Personal Wisdom, W.N. Ferrari M., Editor. 2013, Springer: Dordrecht.

§  Antonowski’s salutogenic model. Lindström, B. and M. Eriksson, The Hitchhiker's Guide to Salutogenesis: Salutogenic Pathways to Health Promotion. 2010: Folkhälsan Research Centre.

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Thank you for listening!