Effects of childbirth preparation classes program based on national guideline on fear of childbirth in pregnant women: a randomized clinical trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. of Midwifery, Deputy of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

2 General Physician, Center for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Deputy of Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.

3 B.Sc. of Midwifery, Deputy of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

5 Associate Professor, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Fear of childbirth increases obstetrical interventions, and causes complications for mother and fetus and is one of the important factors affecting the increased rate of cesarean. This study was performed with aim to investigate the effects of childbirth preparation classes program on fear of normal vaginal delivery measured with Wijma Delivery-Expectancy questionnaire.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 132 nulliparous women in Sabzevar Health Centers during 2017-2018. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group participated in childbirth preparation classes and the control group received only the routine prenatal care. Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ) Version A&B was completed before and after the intervention and 14 days after delivery by the mothers. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 22) and t-test and Repeated Measurement Variance Analysis.  P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean total score of questionnaire and all the factors except the fear of fetal injury were significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (p <0.05). Also, the scores of all factors except fear of fetal injury increased in the intervention group from pre-test to post-test and follow-up (P <0.05). The scores of fear of fetal injury in the intervention group decreased in post-test while in the control group decreased after childbirth; comparison of means showed difference between two groups (p=0.01).
Conclusion: Childbirth preparation classes held in Sabzevar increased the fear of childbirth. Therefore, the content of this training course must be assessed.

Keywords

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 23, Issue 1
March 2020
Pages 58-68

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