Technology-supported mindfulness-based interventions reduce symptoms of prenatal and postpartum depression, according to a meta-analysis of 18 articles representing 2,481 participants. The pooled effect showed a moderate positive effect on maternal depression. The intervention was effective for both prenatal depression and postpartum depression. No studies from low-income countries were included, which limits generalizability to low- and middle-income countries where such interventions could improve access to care.
Both ketamine and esketamine reduce the incidence of short-term postpartum depression (PPD), while only esketamine reduces long-term PPD. A meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 4,389 pregnant women found that ketamine lowered short-term PPD risk by 28% and esketamine by 57%. Esketamine alone reduced long-term PPD risk by 56%. Low doses (under 0.5 mg) were as effective as high doses for both short- and long-term prevention. Side effects including dizziness, blurred vision, vomiting, and hallucinations occurred more often with ketamine or esketamine than with placebo.
Prenatal mindfulness training improves relational outcomes only for birthing-people with lower sociodemographic risk but elevated anxiety at baseline, and for those who practice mindfulness more during and after the class. In a randomized controlled trial comparing Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) with community birthing classes, a main effect favoring MBCP appeared only on parenting stress. Moderation analyses showed significant benefits of MBCP on individual outcomes (dispositional mindfulness, mental health, parenting stress) and relational outcomes (mindfulness in parenting, compassion, bonding with fetus/infant) for higher-risk anxious participants and for those with greater mindfulness practice dosage. The findings clarify that relational benefits depend on baseline risk characteristics and practice engagement, guiding targeted adaptation of mindfulness interventions for diverse families.