The impact of a mindfulness course on birthing experiences
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Examining how antenatal mindfulness workshops may impact women’s childbirth experience: a mixed methods study.
IRAS ID
213277
Contact name
Louise Hunter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Brookes University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Women can often experience anxiety during the perinatal period, which can impact negatively on their labour and birth experience
This piece of research continues the work started by Dr Sian Warriner who carried out a study to explore the feasibility of providing a four week Mindfulness Childbirth and Parenting programme in a Children’s Centre setting. This study established that levels of anxiety and stress were reduced following the intervention, but did not explore whether or how participants used mindfulness when giving birth. Women who participated in this research, and have consented to be contacted about future studies, will be invited to take part in the current study. Participants will be asked to complete an online questionnaire about their experiences which will use open questions and a validated tool to assess the extent to which mindfulness helped them during childbirth. This will be complemented by individual semi structured interviews. The study will be completed by May 2017.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0591
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion