Evidence-based benefits of mindfulness programs & practice

The MBCP program was developed by Certified Nurse Midwife Nancy Bardacke as a formal adaptation of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR). MBSR programs have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Research on MBCP has documented statistically significant increases in positive affect and decreases in pregnancy anxiety, depression, and negative affect. A decrease in depressive symptoms was noted to extend into the postpartum period in a 2017 randomized control study.

Mindfulness and other meditation practices have been shown to affect changes in brain function and structure associated with greater emotion regulation, empathy, and self-observation.

Mindfulness relationship programs have been associated with greater relationship satisfaction and less relationship stress in several studies.

Attachment theory asserts that babies and young children need to develop a relationship with at least one primary caregiver for normal social and emotional development. That attachment is facilitated by a parent with their own secure attachment. Several researchers have noted that qualities promoted in mindfulness practice are similar to those of a parent with a secure attachment.

Mindfulness interventions for parents have been associated with reductions in parental anger, parenting stress and co-parenting disagreements; increased satisfaction with parent-child interactions; and increased positive behavior exhibited towards children.

To learn more about Mindfulness Based Childbirth and Parenting, visit www.mindfulbirthing.org.