Reconnecting with the Self and Fetus through Mindfulness: Supporting Inner Balance and Bonding during Pregnancy

Öz

Pregnancy is a complex period during which women experience profound physical, emotional, and social changes. Hormonal fluctuations, physiological transformations, and environmental factors during pregnancy can contribute to a range of psychosocial and psychiatric issues, such as stress, fear of childbirth, anxiety, and depression. In recent years, mindfulness-based approaches have been increasingly utilized to support emotional regulation and enhance coping skills during pregnancy. This review explores the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on managing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and on supporting maternal-fetal bonding, within the framework of the “Disconnect to Reconnect” model. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) programs are effective in reducing stress and anxiety, as well as alleviating depressive symptoms. Furthermore, several studies have reported that these programs contribute to a reduced fear of childbirth, enhanced childbirth-related self-efficacy, and strengthened maternal-fetal attachment. Some research also suggests that mindfulness practices have a positive influence on body image, increase self-compassion, and facilitate adaptation to breastfeeding during the postpartum period. Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as promising tools to promote psychological and physical well-being during pregnancy. Future studies are recommended to examine their long-term effects in greater depth.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Anxiety
• mindfulness
• depression
• perinatal mental health
• psychological stress

Farkındalık Yoluyla Öz ve Fetüs ile Yeniden Bağ Kurma: Gebelikte İçsel Denge ve Bağlanmanın Desteklenmesi

Öz

Gebelik, kadınların bedensel, ruhsal ve sosyal açıdan büyük değişimler yaşadığı, karmaşık bir süreçtir. Gebelikte hormonal dalgalanmalar, fiziksel değişiklikler ve çevresel etkenler; stres, doğum korkusu, anksiyete ve depresyon gibi psikososyal ve psikiyatrik sorunlara zemin hazırlayabilir. Gebelikte ruhsal dengeyi desteklemek ve stresle başa çıkma becerilerini artırmak amacıyla mindfulness temelli yaklaşımların kullanımı artmaktadır. Bu derlemede “Farkındalıkla Bağlantıyı Kes, Yeniden Bağlan” yaklaşımı temel alınarak mindfulness temelli müdahalelerin gebelik sürecinde stres, anksiyete ve depresyon yönetimine katkıları ile maternal-fetal bağlanmayı destekleyici etkileri incelenmiştir. Birçok araştırma, Mindfulness Temelli Stres Azaltma (MBSR) ve Mindfulness Temelli Doğuma ve Ebeveynliğe Hazırlık (MBCP) programlarının stres ve anksiyete yönetiminde ve depresif belirtilerin azaltılmasında önemli faydalar sağladığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca bu programların doğum korkusunu azaltarak anne adaylarının doğuma ilişkin öz-yeterlik düzeyini artırdığı ve maternal-fetal bağlanmayı güçlendirdiği çeşitli çalışmalarda raporlanmıştır. Bazı çalışmalar ayrıca bu yaklaşımların beden imajını olumlu etkilediğini, öz şefkati artırdığını ve emzirme süreçlerine uyumu kolaylaştırabileceğini raporlamaktadır. Mindfulness temelli müdahaleler, gebelik sürecinde ruhsal ve fiziksel iyi oluşu destekleyen etkili bir yaklaşım olarak öne çıkmakta olup gelecekte yapılacak çalışmalarla uzun dönemli etkilerinin kapsamlı biçimde değerlendirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Anksiyete
• mindfulness
• depresyon
• psikolojik stres
• perinatal ruh sağlığı

Destekleyen Kurum

Bu çalışmanın yürütülmesi sırasında herhangi bir finansal veya ticari çıkar çatışması bulunmamaktadır.

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma, derleme türünde bir araştırmadır. Herhangi bir insan veya hayvan deneyi içermemektedir. Bu nedenle etik kurul onayı gerekmemektedir. Çalışmada intihal, veri uydurma, çarpıtma, dilimleme gibi etik dışı eylemler yapılmamış; akademik ve yayın etiğine uygun şekilde yürütülmüştür.

Kaynakça

1. Abdolalipour S, Charandabi SM-A, Mashayekh-Amiri S, Mirghafourvand M (2023) The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on self-efficacy and fear of childbirth in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analyses. J Affect Disord, 333:257-270.
2. Akdemir A, Özcan E (2023) Mindfulness (bilinçli farkındalık) ve emzirme. Kadın Sağlığı Hemşireliği Dergisi, 9(Özel Sayı-1):62-66.
3. Anık Y, Altuntuğ K (2021) Primigravidalara uygulanan çözüm odaklı yaklaşımın psikososyal sağlık, doğum korkusu ve doğum sonu güvenlik hislerine etkisi: Randomize kontrollü çalışma protokolü. Güncel Hemşirelik Araştırmaları Dergisi, 1:80-95.
4. Arslan S, Okçu G, Coşkun AM, Temiz F (2019) Kadınların gebeliği algılama durumu ve bunu etkileyen faktörler. Sağlık Bilimleri ve Meslekleri Dergisi, 6:179-192.
5. Aslan Ş, Okumuş F (2017) Primipar kadınların doğum deneyim algıları üzerine doğum beklentilerinin etkisi. Sağlık Bilimleri ve Meslekleri Dergisi, 4:32-40.
6. Atasever İ, Çelik AS (2018) Prenatal stresin ana-çocuk sağlığı üzerine etkisi. Anadolu Hemşirelik ve Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 21(1):60-68.
7. Bardacke N. 2012. Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond. Harper Collins.
8. Beddoe AE, Yang CPP, Kennedy HP, Weiss SJ, Lee KA (2009) The effects of mindfulness-based yoga during pregnancy on maternal psychological and physical distress. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs, 38:310-319.

9. Bilgin NÇ. (2020). Hemşirelik öğrencilerinin doğuma ilişkin algıları: nitel bir çalışma. Düzce Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 10:348-356.
10. Calpbinici P, Kızılırmak A, Taşhan ST (2024) Sezaryen için teori temelli niyet ölçeği: Türkçe geçerlilik ve güvenilirlik çalışması. Anatolian Journal of Health Research, 5:99-106.
11. Çetin FC, Demirci N, Çalık KYAkıncı AÇ. (2017). Gebelikte Olağan Fiziksel Yakinmalar. Zeynep Kamil Tıp Bülteni, 48:135-141.
12. Corbally LWilkinson M. (2021). The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on stress, depression and anxiety during the perinatal period in women without pre-existing stress, depressive or anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Mindfulness, 12(10), 2357-2370.
13. Coşkun A, Arslan S, Okcu G (2020) Gebe kadınlarda gebelik algısının stres, demografik ve obstetrik özellikler açısından incelenmesi. Journal of Education & Research in Nursing / Hemşirelikte Eğitim ve Araştırma Dergisi, 17:54-62.
14. Dağlar ÖŞ, Şahin NH (2021) Bilinçli farkındalık (mindfulness) ve perinatal ruh sağlığı: bir sistematik derleme. Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Dergisi, 3:159-172.
15. Duncan LG, Bardacke N (2010) Mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting education: promoting family mindfulness during the perinatal period. J Child Fam Stud, 19:190-202.
16. Duncan LG, Cohn MA, Chao MT, Cook JG, Riccobono J, Bardacke N (2017) Benefits of preparing for childbirth with mindfulness training: a randomized controlled trial with active comparison. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 17:140.
17. Fındık E, Sezer NY, Aker MN, Badur D (2025) The effects of the mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting program (MBCP) on prenatal attachment, depression, stress, and anxiety in pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord, 376:341-346.
18. Fışkın G, Işık C (2022) Gebelikte yaşanan görsel ve bedensel değişikliklerin postpartum dönemdeki bedeni beğenme ve psikolojik yakınmalarla ilişkisi. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 15:307-316.
19. Gheibi Z, Abbaspour Z, Haghighyzadeh MH, Javadifar N (2020) Effects of a mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting program on maternal-fetal attachment: a randomized controlled trial among Iranian pregnant women. Complement Ther Clin Pract, 41:101226.
20. Gibson J (2019) Mindfulness, interoception, and the body: a contemporary perspective. Front Psychol, 10:2012.
21. Gkintoni E, Vassilopoulos SP, Nikolaou G (2025) Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in clinical practice: a systematic review of neurocognitive outcomes and applications for mental health and well-being. J Clin Med, 14:1703.
22. Golmakani N, Shaghaghi F, Ahmadi Z, Gholami M, Kamali Z, Mohebbi-Dehnavi Z (2021a) Investigating the relationship between the dimensions of mindfulness and maternal attachment to the fetus during pregnancy. J Educ Health Promot, 10:192.
23. Golmakani N, Shaghaghi F, Ahmadi Z, Gholami M, Kamali Z, Mohebbi-Dehnavi Z (2021b) Investigating the relationship between the dimensions of mindfulness and maternal attachment to the fetus during pregnancy. J Educ Health Promot, 10:433.
24. Hölzel BK, Lazar SW, Gard T, Schuman-Olivier Z, Vago DR, Ott U (2011) How does mindfulness meditation work? Proposing mechanisms of action from a conceptual and neural perspective. Perspect Psychol Sci, 6:537-559.
25. Hulsbosch LP, Nyklíček I, Boekhorst MG, Potharst ES, Pop VJ (2023) Breastfeeding continuation is associated with trait mindfulness but not with trajectories of postpartum depressive symptoms. Midwifery, 124:103770.
26. Hulsbosch LP, Potharst ES, Boekhorst MG, Nyklíček I, Pop VJ (2021) Breastfeeding intention and trait mindfulness during pregnancy. Midwifery, 101:103064.
27. Ibıcı Akca E, Cengızhan SO, Gokbulut N (2023) Effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on stress, anxiety, and prenatal attachment for high-risk pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness, 14:2963-2974.
28. Irawan A, Putri AP, Hanifah L, Thongsalab JTJ (2024) Mindfulness training for pregnant women with high blood pressure. Avicenna Journal of Health Research, 7(2) :1-7.
29. Kabat-Zinn J (1990) Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. London, UK, Delta.
30. Kabat-Zinn J (2001) Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life. London, UK, Piatkus.
31. Kabat-Zinn J (2003) Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Constructivism in the Human Sciences, 8:73.
32. Kabat-Zinn J (2014) Everyday Blessings: Mindfulness for Parents. LOndon, UK;, Hachette Books.
33. Kaya F, Akdoğan İY (2022) The examination of psychological well-being in pregnant women in terms of demographic and pregnancy-related features and self-compassion. Journal of Education & Research in Nursing, 19:85-92.
34. Krusche A, Dymond M, Murphy SE, Crane C (2018) Mindfulness for pregnancy: a randomised controlled study of online mindfulness during pregnancy. Midwifery, 65:51-57.
35. Lange V, Grünbaum T (2024) Transparency and the mindfulness opacity hypothesis. Philos Q, 74:822–843.
36. Langer EJ. 1992. Matters of mind: mindfulness/mindlessness in perspective. Conscious Cogn, 1:289–305.
37. Laurent HK, Haigler KL, Sbrilli MD, Suzuki K, Duncan LG (2025) The relational dimension in mindfulness intervention effects: results of a randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 25:560.
38. Lönnberg G, Jonas W, Bränström R, Nissen E, Niemi M (2021) Long-term effects of a mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting program: a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness, 12:476-488.
39. Matvienko-Sikar K, Dockray S (2017) Effects of a novel positive psychological intervention on prenatal stress and well-being: a pilot randomised controlled trial. Women Birth, 30:e111-e118.
40. Min W, Jiang C, Li Z, Wang Z (2023) The effect of mindfulness-based interventions during pregnancy on postpartum mental health: a meta-analysis. J Affect Disord, 331:452-460.
41. Nadholta P, Kumar K, Saha PK, Suri V, Singh A, Anand A (2023) Mind-body practice as a primer to maintain psychological health among pregnant women-YOGESTA-a randomized controlled trial. Front Public Health, 11:1201371.
42. Nasrollahi M, Ghazanfar Pour M, Ahmadi A, Mirzaee M, Alidousti K (2022) Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction on depression, anxiety, and stress of women with the early loss of pregnancy in southeast Iran: a randomized control trial. Reprod Health, 19:233.
43. Nejad FK, Shahraki KA, Nejad PS, Moghaddam NK, Jahani Y, Divsalar P (2021) The influence of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on stress, anxiety and depression due to unwanted pregnancy: a randomized clinical trial. J Prev Med Hyg, 62:E82.
44. Nowicki P (2025) The mediating role of stress coping styles in the relationship between maternal attachment styles and maternal-fetal attachment. Kwartalnik Naukowy Fides et Ratio, 61:9-19.
45. Özer D, Dişsiz M (2025) Effects of mindfulness-based practices in the perinatal and postpartum periods on women's health: a systematic review. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 17:147-165.
46. Pan WL, Chang CW, Chen SM, Gau ML (2019) Assessing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs on mental health during pregnancy and early motherhood: a randomized control trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 19:346.
47. Papini NM, Mason TB, Herrmann SD, Lopez NV (2022) Self-compassion and body image in pregnancy and postpartum: a randomized pilot trial of a brief self-compassion meditation intervention. Body Image, 43:264-274.
48. Parcells D (2010) Women's mental health nursing: depression, anxiety and stress during pregnancy. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs, 17:813-820.
49. Reangsing C, Punsuwun S, Oerther S (2024) Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on depression in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord, 352:51-59.
50. Sari YP, Hsu YY, Nguyen TTB (2023) The effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on mental health outcomes in pregnant woman: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Nurs Res, 31:e306.
51. Schussler DL, Harris AR, Greenberg MT (2020) A qualitative investigation of a mindfulness-based yoga program for educators: how program attendance relates to outcomes. Psychol Sch, 57:1077-1096.
52. Shahtaheri E, Jomehri F, Niknam M, Rafieipour A (2021) Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on anxiety and psychological well-being of nulliparous pregnant women. J Health Res Community, 7:46-56.
53. Shi Z, MacBeth A (2017) The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on maternal perinatal mental health outcomes: a systematic review. Mindfulness, 8:823-847.
54. Shorey S, Ang L, Chee CYI (2019) A systematic mixed-studies review on mindfulness-based childbirth education programs and maternal outcomes. Nurs Outlook, 67:696-706.
55. Skovbjerg S, Sumbundu A, Kolls M, Kjærbye-Thygesen A, Fjorback L (2023) The effect of an adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction program on mental health, maternal bonding and birth outcomes in psychosocially vulnerable pregnant women: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial in a Danish hospital-based outpatient setting. BMC Complement Med Ther, 23:364.
56. Sun S, Luo C, Zeng X, Wu Q (2024) The relationship between pregnancy stress and mental health of the pregnant women: the bidirectional chain mediation roles of mindfulness and peace of mind. Front Psychol, 14:1295242.
57. Tokman E, Yılmaz ZD (2024) Trimesterden trimestere: gebelikte değişen cinsel işlevleri anlamak. KTO Karatay Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 4:174-183.
58. Topaktaş G, Beylik U (2024) Türkiye sezaryen oranı durum analizi ve politika önerileri. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, 21:102-113.
59. Traylor CS, Johnson JD, Kimmel MC, Manuck TA (2020) Effects of psychological stress on adverse pregnancy outcomes and nonpharmacologic approaches for reduction: an expert review. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM, 2:100229.
60. Tsao CM, Hsing HC, Wang HH, Guo SHM (2019) The factors related to maternal-fetal attachment: examining the effect of mindfulness, stress and symptoms during pregnancy. Archives of Nursing Practice and Care, 5:1-7.
61. Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou M, Orovou E, Zournatzidou G (2024) Digital training for nurses and midwives to improve treatment for women with postpartum depression and protect neonates: a dynamic bibliometric review analysis. Healthcare (Basel), 12:1015.
62. Van der Meulen R, Veringa-Skiba I, Van Steensel F, Bögels S, De Bruin E (2023) Mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting for pregnant women with high fear of childbirth and their partners: outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing short- and longer-term effects on psychological well-being, birth and pregnancy experience. Midwifery, 116:103545.
63. Van Steensel FJ, Veringa-Skiba IK, Sauer AR, de Bruin EI, Bögels SM (2024) Cost-effectiveness of the mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting program for pregnant women with fear of childbirth. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs, 53:57-68.
64. Veringa IK, de Bruin EI, Bardacke N, Duncan LG, van Steensel FJ, Dirksen CD et al. (2016) ‘I’ve changed my mind’: Mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting (MBCP) for pregnant women with a high level of fear of childbirth and their partners: Study protocol of the quasi-experimental controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 16:377.
65. Veringa-Skiba IK, de Bruin EI, van Steensel FJ, Bögels SM (2022) Fear of childbirth, nonurgent obstetric interventions, and newborn outcomes: A randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting with enhanced care as usual. Birth, 49:40–51.
66. Wang S, Zhang C, Sun M, Zhang D, Luo Y, Liang K, Shangguan F et al. (2023) Effectiveness of mindfulness training on pregnancy stress and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in women in China: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Front Psychol, 14:1073494.
67. Wheeler MS, Arnkoff DB, Glass CR (2017) The neuroscience of mindfulness: how mindfulness alters the brain and facilitates emotion regulation. Mindfulness, 8:1471-1487.
68. Zeinabeh MZ, Atefeh A, Masumeh GHP, Tania D, Mojgan S, Katayoun A (2023) The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction counseling on blood glucose and perceived stress in women with gestational diabetes. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet, 45:e517-e523.
69. Zhang D, Tsang KW, Duncan LG, Yip BH, Chan DC, Lee EK et al. (2023) Effects of the mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting (MBCP) program among pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness, 14:50-65.