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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

6 November 2017 Gunilla Lönnberg 2

Research project

N-194 primiparous women at risk of perinatal stress,

depression & anxiety Partners also invited

Intervention: MBCP program

Active control: Lamaze program



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


“A new way of relating”

1) Acceptability


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


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


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


5) Relating to each other


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


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.


§  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.


Thank you for listening!