title: Mindfulness in antenatal classes: A quasi-experimental pilot study

authors: Irving, Tracey Ann

subjects: mindfulness

abstract: Pregnancy is a major life transition, and entails high levels of change and uncertainty which, for some parents, can elicit anxiety and distress. Mindfulness practices may help people to cope with uncertainty and change. This study explores whether adding mindfulness to antenatal classes is acceptable and helpful for mothers and fathers, and whether participants use these skills during pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period. It also explores whether it is feasible to incorporate mindfulness into an existing comprehensive antenatal education curriculum.
The study compared the experiences of participants in two sets of antenatal classes with the same curriculum, except for the addition of a brief weekly mindfulness exercise and associated handout for one of the two groups. The two-hour classes were run over six weeks for pregnant women in their third trimester and their partners. Two separate trials were carried out consecutively – Trial A and Trial B. Trial A included 23 participants in the intervention group and 15 in the comparison group. Thirty-eight people were in the Trial B intervention group and 32 in the comparison group. However, practical barriers led to the Trial B intervention being minimally delivered and therefore data from Trial B were not analysed.
Pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires measured pregnancy-related anxiety, psychological distress, and mindfulness. Acceptability of the mindfulness intervention and satisfaction with the antenatal classes was measured post-intervention. Psychological distress, mindfulness, and overall birth experience were measured one-month postnatally. 
Findings showed no statistically significant reductions in psychological distress or pregnancy-related anxiety for either group.  There were also no significant increases in mindfulness. Although not statistically significant, participants in the mindfulness group may have had a slightly better birth experience; however, this is difficult to establish with certainty. People in the mindfulness group generally enjoyed the classes overall and reported having learned some useful skills; however, most did not practice mindfulness outside of class.
The results of this pilot study suggest that it may be feasible to incorporate mindfulness into typical antenatal classes if adaptations are made so that it can be more smoothly integrated into the existing curriculum. Further research is needed into the feasibility of mindfulness in antenatal classes using a mindfulness programme which addresses the challenges identified in this study. This may have implications for the potential inclusion of brief mindfulness interventions across a variety of health and social settings.

text: Mindfulness in antenatal classes: A quasi-experimental pilot study Pregnancy is a major life transition, and entails high levels of change and uncertainty which, for some parents, can elicit anxiety and distress. Mindfulness practices may help people to cope with uncertainty and change. This study explores whether adding mindfulness to antenatal classes is acceptable and helpful for mothers and fathers, and whether participants use these skills during pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period. It also explores whether it is feasible to incorporate mindfulness into an existing comprehensive antenatal education curriculum.
The study compared the experiences of participants in two sets of antenatal classes with the same curriculum, except for the addition of a brief weekly mindfulness exercise and associated handout for one of the two groups. The two-hour classes were run over six weeks for pregnant women in their third trimester and their partners. Two separate trials were carried out consecutively – Trial A and Trial B. Trial A included 23 participants in the intervention group and 15 in the comparison group. Thirty-eight people were in the Trial B intervention group and 32 in the comparison group. However, practical barriers led to the Trial B intervention being minimally delivered and therefore data from Trial B were not analysed.
Pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires measured pregnancy-related anxiety, psychological distress, and mindfulness. Acceptability of the mindfulness intervention and satisfaction with the antenatal classes was measured post-intervention. Psychological distress, mindfulness, and overall birth experience were measured one-month postnatally. 
Findings showed no statistically significant reductions in psychological distress or pregnancy-related anxiety for either group.  There were also no significant increases in mindfulness. Although not statistically significant, participants in the mindfulness group may have had a slightly better birth experience; however, this is difficult to establish with certainty. People in the mindfulness group generally enjoyed the classes overall and reported having learned some useful skills; however, most did not practice mindfulness outside of class.
The results of this pilot study suggest that it may be feasible to incorporate mindfulness into typical antenatal classes if adaptations are made so that it can be more smoothly integrated into the existing curriculum. Further research is needed into the feasibility of mindfulness in antenatal classes using a mindfulness programme which addresses the challenges identified in this study. This may have implications for the potential inclusion of brief mindfulness interventions across a variety of health and social settings.

year: 2020

title: The effects of precipitation chemistry and catchment area lithology on the quality of river water in selected catchments in eastern Australia

authors: Douglas, Ian

abstract: The results of partial chemical analyses of precipitation and river water samples from north-east Queensland and south-eastern New South Wales are presented. Comparisons of water quality in the two areas are made using ionic ratios. While the sodium and chloride contents of precipitation in the two areas are similar, higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium and potassium occur in precipitation samples collected in New South Wales. Precipitation supplies between 25% and 70% of the total solute loads of the rivers studied. In the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales more chloride is supplied to the catchment areas than is removed by the rivers. River water quality reflects catchment lithology more than the climatic contrasts between the two study areas. Nevertheless, precipitation chemistry exerts an influence on the ionic ratios of these Australian rivers with low total dissolved solids concentrations.

text: The effects of precipitation chemistry and catchment area lithology on the quality of river water in selected catchments in eastern Australia The results of partial chemical analyses of precipitation and river water samples from north-east Queensland and south-eastern New South Wales are presented. Comparisons of water quality in the two areas are made using ionic ratios. While the sodium and chloride contents of precipitation in the two areas are similar, higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium and potassium occur in precipitation samples collected in New South Wales. Precipitation supplies between 25% and 70% of the total solute loads of the rivers studied. In the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales more chloride is supplied to the catchment areas than is removed by the rivers. River water quality reflects catchment lithology more than the climatic contrasts between the two study areas. Nevertheless, precipitation chemistry exerts an influence on the ionic ratios of these Australian rivers with low total dissolved solids concentrations.

year: 1968

title: Ta moko: Maori tattoo

authors: Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia

subjects: Maori

abstract: The author examines the history, technique and meaning of ta moko (Maori tattoo) from prehistory to modern times.

text: Ta moko: Maori tattoo The author examines the history, technique and meaning of ta moko (Maori tattoo) from prehistory to modern times.

year: 1997