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

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.