What is Mindfulness and is it right for me?

MINDFULNESS

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Mindfulness is simply the awareness that arises when we pay attention — on purpose — to the present moment, with a sense of compassion, non-judgment, and curiosity. 

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IS MINDFULNESS RIGHT FOR ME?

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Research has shown that mindfulness practice can help bring about many positive effects, but it is not right for everyone. 

Some benefits during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum may include:​​​​​​​​

• Decreased perceived stress

• Decreased pregnancy-related anxiety

• Decreased fear of childbirth

• Decreased tendency to catastrophize pain

• Decreased symptoms of depression, including the postpartum period

• Decreased use of non-urgent interventions during labor, including:

  • self-requested cesarean births​

  • epidurals

• Increased belief in participant's ability to give birth

• Increased likelihood of unmedicated birth

• Increased positive mood​

• Increased mindfulness

• Higher newborn APGAR scores 1-minute after birth

• Better infant social-emotional development at 3-months of age than other childbirth education courses

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Some other benefits may include: 

• Improved mental health, such as:

  • decreased stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms​

  • decreased obsessive-compulsive symptoms

  • decreased rumination about the past​

  • decreased worry about the future

  • help in substance abuse recovery

• Improved physical health, such as:

  • decreased blood pressure​

  • decreased chronic pain

  • decreased inflammation

  • decreased gastrointestinal difficulties

  • improved sleep

  • treatment of heart disease

  • better immune functioning

• Improved wellness, such as:​​

  • decreased concerns about success or self-esteem

  • decreased emotional reactivity

  • deeper connections with others

  • better resilience 

  • better working memory

  • better focus

  • more satisfaction in relationships

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Some reasons why a self-guided mindfulness practice might not be advised:​

• Suicidal ideations​​

• History of self-harm

• Moderate to severe anxiety

• Moderate to severe depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Complicated grief

• History of pregnancy loss

• History of abuse or assault

• Practitioner would be affected by drops in blood pressure

• Practitioner would be affected by drops in blood sugar

• Practitioner has symptoms that arise or worsen during or after practice

• Practitioner has other conditions or life circumstances that require extra attention or care

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Mindfulness practice should not be used in lieu of medical, psychological, or psychiatric diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. It is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before beginning any new activity that may affect your health or if you have any undesired outcomes associated with your mindfulness practice.