Hello and welcome to the website for the Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) Program. Here parents-to-be, their families and friends, health care professionals, researchers and others can learn about our classes, trainings and events. The MBCP Program was founded by Nancy Bardacke, certified nurse-midwife and mindfulness teacher. We are delighted you are visiting us and hope you find the information here useful.
New Study Published
Benefits of preparing for childbirth with mindfulness training: a randomized controlled trial with active comparison
The study, conducted by MBCP Faculty Member Larissa Duncan, PhD, the Elizabeth C. Davies Chair in Child and Family Well-Being and Associate Professor of Human Development & Family Studies and Family Medicine & Community Health at UW-Madison, shows mindfulness training that addresses fear and pain during childbirth improves childbirth experiences and lessens depression symptoms both during pregnancy and the early postpartum period.
The full text of the research article published online May 2017 in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth is freely available through open access: Benefits of preparing for childbirth with mindfulness training: a randomized controlled trial with active comparison
Media responses to the study
Greater Good Magazine September 1st – “Can Mindfulness Help Reduce Postpartum Depression?”
Mindful August 17th – “How Your Own Mind Can Reduce the Fear of Giving Birth”
The Guardian June 5th – “Can mindfulness reduce fear of labour and postpartum depression?”
The New York Times May 31st – “The Benefits of a Mindful Pregnancy”
A Quick Look
Upcoming Events:
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- September 22-24, 2017 – Warwick, UK. The Mind in Labor Weekend Workshop for Expectant Parents and Health Care Professionals, with Eluned Gold, MSc.
- December 1-4, 2017 – San Francisco, CA. The Mind in Labor Weekend Workshop for Expectant Parents and Health Care Professionals with Nancy Bardacke, CNM, at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine.
- July 10, 2018 – Amsterdam, Netherlands. Pre-conference Workshop at the International Conference on Mindfulness. More details to come.
Learn about Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond
Read about Mindful Birthing in Mindful Magazine and Greater Good Magazine.
An article just published in Greater Good Magazine: “Four Reasons to Practice Mindfulness During Pregnancy”
Listen to our Audio Book of Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond with an introduction read by the author, Nancy Bardacke
Recent Research:
- 2017: “Benefits of preparing for childbirth with mindfulness training: a randomized controlled trial with active comparison” in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
- 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” in BMC Psychiatry
- 2016: “Mindfulness in Maternity: Evaluation of a Course for Midwives” in the British Journal of Midwifery
- 2015: “Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP): Innovation in birth preparation to support healthy, happy families” in the International Journal of Birth & Parent Education
- 2014: “The Mind In Labor: Effects of Mind/Body Training on Childbirth Appraisals and Pain Medication Use During Labor” [abstract] in the The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- 2014: “Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP): A health promotion model for childbirth education?” in the International Journal of Birth & Parent Education
- 2014: Mindfulness-Based Treatment Approaches: Clinicians guide to evidence base and applications (2nd ed.) Bardacke, N. & Duncan, L. (2014). Mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting: Cultivating inner resources for the transition to parenthood and beyond. In R. Baer (Ed.), Mindfulness-based treatment approaches: Clinicians guide to evidence base and applications (2nd ed.). London, UK: Elsevier.
In this video from the Greater Good Science Center & Mindful Magazine’s “Practicing Mindfulness & Compassion” conference on March 8, 2013, Nancy Bardacke, CNM, MA, RN explains how mindfulness can mitigate the stress and pain of childbirth for both women and men.
