An Examination of the Possibility of Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation for Pregnant Women: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Loving-kindness and compassion meditation (LKCM) is known to be effective in improving mental health and interpersonal relationships. An exploratory pilot study was conducted with the aim of examining the feasibility of LKCM which known to be effective in improving mental health and interpersonal relationships for pregnant women. Measures of stress, depression, maternal fetal attachment, mindfulness and self-compassion of subjects (n=8) were obtained at baseline, and after a 4-weeks LKCM program to identify effectiveness and supplements. Based on a focus group interview, phenomenological analysis was also conducted. The results showed that improvement potential of psychological comfort, positive relationship with fetus as well as complementary points for session contents and home training. We hope that this study will broaden understanding for the development of LKCM for pregnant women and promote further research.

Development and Effects of a Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation Program to Improve Maternal-Fetal Attachment

“…For this reason, before developing a full-fledged LKCM program for MFA, a preliminary program for pregnant women was constructed and conducted by referring to the existing research and the LKCM program for the general population. As a result, LKCM confirmed the possibility that the positive emotion of the pregnant women would be improved, the mother-fetal relation could be improved positively, and the unexpected change in the fetal movement experience was confirmed (Kim MJ et al, 2017). And through structural equation modeling in Heo JM et al(2017), it was confirmed that mindfulness and positive emotion are important leading factors in MFA formation, and one of the key mechanisms is positive fetal movement experience.…”

“…The composition and contents of this session were revised and completed according to the studies conducted by Kim MJ et al(2017) and Heo JM et al(2017), existing research, and experts' feedback and consultation. The three people who provided feedback and consulting were experts on LKCM.…”

“…They are with R-level leadership qualifications from the SKMS who had completed LKCM-related doctoral dissertations and had several related research achievements. Additionally, they are experts who have continued to oversee the preliminary study (Kim MJ et al, 2017) for the development of LKCM programs for pregnant women. In this study, the following were modified: total number of sessions, duration of time, and composition.…”

“…With regard to time, first, each session time was increased to 1 hour 30 minutes from 1 hour in Kim MJ et al(2017). This is due to the need for sufficient delivery of training content and feedback time for questions.…”

“…However, considering that the purpose of this program is to improve MFA, the LKCM training target was limited to the pregnant woman's self, her own fetus, other pregnant women and their fetuses, and all pregnant beings in the world. Second, the body scan, which helps sleep and relaxation (Yang HY, 2011), and the banding meditation to train physical and psychological connection with the fetus and to pay attention to fetal movement as designed by Kim MJ et al(2017) were combined to be trained each session. This was called 'I-Mam meditation'.…”