A supervised internet-based mindfulness program during late pregnancy did not reduce general depression or anxiety symptoms, but it did lower pregnancy- and birth-related anxiety and reduced the rate of women at risk for postpartum mental health problems six weeks after birth. Mindfulness scores also improved. The trial screened over 5,000 pregnant women, enrolled 460 who had elevated depressive symptoms, and randomly assigned them to the eight-week digital mindfulness intervention or a control group. The program, delivered between weeks 29 and 36 of pregnancy, showed no significant effect on overall depressive or anxiety symptoms, but positive effects emerged for pregnancy-specific worries and postpartum depression prevention.
Combining an electronic mindfulness-based intervention (eMBI) with at least two face-to-face personal coaching sessions significantly reduced symptoms of depression and general anxiety, and lowered body mass index, in pregnant women who screened positive for depression. Mindfulness scores increased regardless of coaching frequency. The blended approach—digital intervention plus minimal personal coaching—amplified the effectiveness of the digital program alone, with the strongest effects on gestational weight gain seen in the group receiving personal coaching.