The aim of this integrative review is to explore how mindfulness training affects postpartum
anxiety (PPA) and/or postpartum depression (PPD). PPA and PPD can have negative effects on
the postpartum (PP) person and child’s health, and which can result in intrauterine growth
restrictions multigenerational repercussions or even perinatal suicide. Mindfulness is defined as
the ability to maintain purposeful and intentional attention to the present moment. An emerging
theme in the literature is the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing anxiety
and/or depression during PP. This integrative review included twelve studies examining the
effects of mindfulness training on PPA and/or PPD. All studies reported that mindfulness
training was associated with some reduction in PPA and/or PPD. However, findings were
inconsistent as three out of the twelve studies found that anxiety and/or depression scores
increased between six weeks to four months PP with mindfulness training. These findings
highlight the need for further longitudinal, randomized control trials to explore the sustained
effects of mindfulness training in this population.
