Antenatal Education on Childbirth Self-Efficacy for Egyptian Primiparous Women: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Antenatal education is provided as a standard guideline in developed countries but till now, there is no standard program in developing countries. This study aimed to test the application of antenatal education on childbirth self-efficacy for Egyptian primiparous women. Subjects and methods: A randomized Control Trial was utilized comparing two groups of women an antenatal education group (n=52) and a routine antenatal care control group (n=52). The study was carried out at Antenatal Clinic at Mansoura New General Hospital, Mansoura city, Egypt between November 2015 and August 2016. Results: Women who attended antenatal education classes had a greater childbirth self-efficacy and a lower perceived labour pain (p=<0.001). Conclusion: Antenatal educational classes give an actual chance for helping primiparous women increasing childbirth self-efficacy, and reducing labour pain in the first and second stages. The study recommended the importance of designing and applying antenatal education classes as an essential component of standard antenatal care at different affiliated Egyptian public hospitals. Designing and applying childbirth preparation classes in the third trimester of pregnancy particularly for primigravidas. Designing comprehensive updated booklet of childbirth preparation which is suited and tailored to the culture of the Egyptian women and distributed through private and different affiliated Egyptians antenatal clinics. Finally immediate strategies should be adopted to move from medicalization of childbirth to humanistic and low intervention midwife-led care which is empowering Egyptians women.