Systematic Birth Preparation Programs Positively Influence the Childbirth Fear: A cross-sectional study

Year 2021, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 254 - 261, 31.08.2021

Şebnem Alanya Tosun , Eda Şahin , Enis Özkaya , Muhammet Bulut , İsmail Buğra Bilen , Mehmet Sipahi

https://doi.org/10.19127/mbsjohs.935018

Abstract

Objective: The primary target of birth preparation program is guiding women to realistic expectations for the birth experience. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of a systematic multidisciplinary birth preparation program on delivery expectation, childbirth fear, mode of delivery and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: 159 nulliparous pregnant women in their 3rd trimester were enrolled in this cross-sectional cohort study between January 2018 and March 2020. Women who participated to the systematic birth preparation program were grouped as Group A (n = 80) and those who refused to participate were considered Group B (n = 79). Fear of childbirth was scanned by Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire Version-A; socio-demographic and obstetric features were assessed through a self-developed survey by face-to-face interview. The mode of delivery, labor induction needs, cesarean indications, birth weights, APGAR scores, newborns hospitalization requirements if any were noted.

Results: The Wijma-A mean score was 44.60 ± 19.63 in those who attended the systematic birth preparation program and 72.05 ± 24.82 in those who did not (p<0.001). Childbirth fear was significantly lower in attended group when pregnant women were evaluated according to the four different level childbirth fear categories (p<0.001). The birth weights were significantly higher in attended group (p=0.017). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mode of delivery, APGAR scores, neonatal hospitalization and labor induction requirements (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The present study shows that systematic and multidisciplinary birth preparation program may positively influence the childbirth fear and increase the birth weights of neonates.

Keywords

systematic birth preparation program, pregnancy, vaginal delivery, childbirth fear, Wijma-A delivery expectancy questionnaire.

Project Number

Yok

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