Meditation and Mindfulness in Pregnancy and Postpartum: Evidence

Get help first if you need it

If you are thinking about suicide, harming yourself or your baby, or feel in crisis, call or text 988 in the US, or call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you are in danger. [1] Postpartum psychosis, with symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion, is a psychiatric emergency that needs immediate help. [2]

Feeling down, anxious or irritable for a few days after birth is common ("baby blues"). Postnatal depression can start in pregnancy or up to a year after birth and usually gets better with treatment. [3] Mood changes that are severe or last longer than 2 weeks after childbirth may be signs of postpartum depression, which generally does not improve without treatment. [2]

The short answer

Several reviews of randomized trials suggest mindfulness programs may ease depression and anxiety around pregnancy, mostly for women who already have symptoms. The trials are small, and mindfulness has not been shown to beat other treatments. It is not a replacement for care from a midwife, doctor or mental health professional. This page is information only.

What the reviews found

1. Depression and anxiety in pregnancy and after birth

   Promising but limited

   A review of 25 randomized trials (2,495 women) found mindfulness programs better than controls for clinical and subthreshold depression and anxiety. The depression benefit lasted into the postpartum period; the effect on anxiety was less clear. [4]

2. Women with and without current symptoms

   Mixed

   A review of 21 trials (1,765 women) found benefit in women with current mental health issues, but not clearly better than controls in women without. [5]

3. Preventing postpartum depression

   Promising but limited

   A review of 6 trials found a small reduction in postpartum depression symptoms in the first 3 months after birth (SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.01). The effect was seen mainly in women at low risk when they started. [6]

4. Online programs after birth

   Promising but limited

   A review of 23 trials (2,725 postpartum women, 8 countries) found online mindfulness programs improved depression and anxiety, but not stress. Interventions with extra researcher support did better, so unguided use may differ. [7]

5. High-risk women and other treatments

   Mixed

   Another review found no benefit in women with severe depressive symptoms before delivery, and no significant advantage over other interventions. It noted few high-quality trials and small samples. [8]

What to ask

• Tell your midwife, obstetrician or doctor that you want to try a mindfulness course. NCCIH advises talking with your health providers about any complementary approach. [9]
• Ask the teacher about their training and experience with pregnant or new parents. [9]
• If you have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or another long-term mental health condition, ask your perinatal or mental health team first. The NHS says people with these conditions should be referred to a perinatal mental health service. [10]

Related pages

Therapies in pregnancy: general cautions, preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety. For stress and sleep, see meditation for stress, sleep and anxiety.