Mindfulness Changes The Placenta & Your Baby’s Brain
I am always on the lookout for innovative, evidence-based ways moms can have the healthiest pregnancies possible so when I came across this recent study I knew I had to share it. Researchers first of all wanted to know if eating a Mediterranean diet or practicing mindfulness could impact baby’s neurodevelopment at 2 years of age. It DID - significantly! The next part of this study was to see if a Mediterranean diet or practicing mindfulness could help improve the health of the placenta—the incredible organ that nourishes your baby during pregnancy. It DID - significantly! (As an expectant mom - it’s both scary and exciting to know that the environment our baby is exposed to for those 9 months can help or harm our baby’s long-term physical and mental health). Other studies have shown a similar impact on baby’s stress response after moms practiced mindfulness during their pregnancy.
Just a few weeks of meditation practice is protective of mom & baby’s mental and physical health.
It changes the health trajectory of 2 generations!
In this study over 1200 pregnant women participated from 19 to 23 weeks of gestation (2nd trimester). This timing allowed the researchers to implement the Mediterranean diet and mindfulness-based stress reduction interventions and observe their effects on placental volume and perfusion as the pregnancy progressed. They were divided into three groups:
Mediterranean Diet Group: These women received guidance on following a Mediterranean diet, which includes lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and healthy fats (olive oil).
Mindfulness Group: This group attended an 8-week program focused on stress reduction through mindfulness practices.
Usual Care Group: These women continued with their regular prenatal care without any special diet or mindfulness instructions.
What They Found
The researchers used MRI scans to look at the placentas of these women and found some exciting results:
Smaller Placenta Issues Reduced: Women in the Mediterranean diet and mindfulness groups had fewer cases of small placentas, which is a good thing because a healthy-sized placenta means better nutrition for the baby.
Lower Risk of Small Babies: These interventions also lowered the risk of having babies who were small for their gestational age, which can lead to health problems both at birth and later in life.
Why This Matters
The placenta plays a critical role in a baby’s development. By improving placental health, we can help ensure babies are born healthier. This study suggests that simple lifestyle changes, like eating a nutrient-dense balanced diet and reducing stress through mindfulness, can make a big difference. Healthy habits lead to better outcomes for both mom and baby. So, whether it's munching on some nuts or taking a few moments to meditate, these small changes can have a big impact.
