The Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Pregnancy Adaptation, Stress, and Fetal Anxiety Levels in Women Who Conceived After Infertility Treatment

Infertility treatment is a physically and emotionally demanding process. Although achieving pregnancy after infertility treatment is often perceived as a positive outcome, many women continue to experience significant psychological challenges during pregnancy, including heightened stress, difficulty adapting to pregnancy, and persistent anxiety regarding fetal health. These emotional responses may negatively affect maternal well-being, pregnancy adaptation, and pregnancy outcomes. Despite the growing body of evidence supporting mindfulness-based interventions during pregnancy, there is limited research focusing specifically on women who conceive following infertility treatment.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a structured, evidence-based program that aims to enhance awareness of present-moment experiences through mindfulness practices such as meditation, breathing exercises, body awareness, gentle yoga, and self-compassion practices. Previous studies have demonstrated that MBSR can effectively reduce stress and anxiety and improve psychological well-being in various populations, including pregnant women and women undergoing infertility treatment. However, the effects of MBSR on pregnancy adaptation and fetal health anxiety among women who become pregnant after infertility treatment have not been adequately investigated.

This randomized controlled study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an MBSR program on pregnancy adaptation, perceived stress, and fetal health anxiety in women who conceived following infertility treatment. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive an MBSR program delivered over four weeks, consisting of structured sessions that include mindfulness meditation, breathing-focused practices, body scan exercises, gentle yoga, emotional awareness, self-compassion training, and practices aimed at strengthening maternal-fetal bonding. Participants will also be encouraged to engage in daily mindfulness practices at home.

The control group will receive routine prenatal care and will not participate in any structured psychological or mindfulness-based intervention during the study period. After completion of post-intervention assessments, participants in the control group who wish to receive the MBSR training will be offered the program.

Data will be collected at baseline (pre-test) and after completion of the intervention (post-test) using validated instruments to assess pregnancy-related distress, pregnancy adaptation, and fetal health anxiety. The primary outcomes of the study are changes in perceived stress levels, pregnancy adaptation, and fetal health anxiety scores between the intervention and control groups.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence on the potential benefits of MBSR as a supportive, non-pharmacological intervention for improving psychological well-being and pregnancy adaptation in women who conceive following infertility treatment. The results may contribute to the development of holistic, evidence-based prenatal care approaches and inform healthcare professionals about effective strategies to support this vulnerable population.

Inclusion criteria

• As a result of infertility treatment,
• Pregnancy week 10-28. Pregnant women in their 10th to 28th week of pregnancy
• with no foetal abnormalities,
• without any psychiatric diagnosis,
• able to communicate and willing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women who participated in mind-body practices or any prenatal class/programme during the study period.
• Those with communication difficulties