Conscious Pregnancy: Supporting Maternal Cardiometabolic Health With Mindfulness

Mindfulness and Cardiometabolic Health for Spanish Speaking Latina Pregnant Women: A Community-informed Project Targeting Inflammatory Gene Expression and Glycemic Control

A pilot randomized control trial (RCT) to examine the efficacy of a culturally tailored mindfulness intervention upon fasting cardiometabolic factors (including markers of glycemic control) and inflammatory gene expression in n=20 (n=10 intervention, n=10 wait-list control) low-income Spanish-speaking Latina pregnant women. The study will be conducted in partnership with MOMS, a nonprofit community organization that serves low-income pregnant and postpartum women.

Prenatal health interventions have the potential to shape the future health of both mothers and offspring. Given that the Latino population is disproportionately affected by high rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, targeted prenatal health interventions that support Latina metabolic health are fundamental to reduce the burden of Latino health disparities within and across generations. Research in primarily non-Hispanic White populations suggests that prenatal mindfulness interventions can not only improve maternal mental health outcomes and well-being, but additionally can support systemic physiological health, such as improved glycemic control and reduced gestational weight gain. However, research on the acceptability and feasibility of mindfulness programs for Latino populations is limited, especially among those who are Spanish-speaking and affected by poverty. Focus groups conducted with this target population, have highlighted a strong interest in mindfulness programs, with a need for novel hybrid instruction format (live classes + digital at-home content). Accordingly, the investigators have developed an adapted, hybrid version of the validated 6-week Mindfulness Awareness Practices (MAPs) training program in Spanish and English.

Here, the investigators plan to pilot and examine the efficacy of this culturally tailored mindfulness intervention upon cardiometabolic factors, including inflammatory gene expression and glycemic control markers, in a low-income Spanish-speaking Latina pregnant population (n=20; n=10 intervention, n=10 wait-list control). Specifically, the investigators will examine the intervention impact on cardiometabolic markers (e.g., fasting glucose and insulin, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-reactive protein (CRP), lipids), and inflammatory gene expression measurement. Maternal mental well-being, pregnancy and birth outcomes will also be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Singleton, intrauterine pregnancy
2. 1st or 2nd trimester at enrollment
3. Fluent in Spanish
4. Self-identify as Hispanic/Latino
5. Low-income

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Having regular mindfulness practice
2. T1 or T2D diagnosis