Importance of Childbirth Preparation Classes in Improving Childbirth Self-Efficacy and Reducing Worry in Primigravidas
Marjan Ahmad Shirvani, Tahereh Tayebi
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy and childbirth are 2 phases that are mostly associated with a high level of worry, which results in not only psychophysical disorders in mothers but also adverse fetal and/or neonatal outcomes. In such instances, self-efficacy influences all aspects of behaviors and emotional reactions in pregnant women.
Aim: This study was conducted to determine the role of attending childbirth preparation classes in reducing worry and improving childbirth self-efficacy in primigravidas.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive–analytical study was conducted on 200 primigravidas, in the gestational age of 28 to 38 weeks, who were referred to 2 antenatal care (ANC) centers in northern Iran. The participants were recruited using the quota random sampling method and were divided into 2 groups: (1) those who attended childbirth preparation classes (trained group) and (2) those who received only routine ANC (routine care group). All the participants were provided routine ANC and were suggested to attend childbirth preparation classes, conducted at the hospital, by either a doctor or a midwife. Those who wished to attend the classes were trained by 2 qualified midwives for 8 weeks. The participants were in the gestational age between 20 and 30 weeks when they enrolled for the classes.
Sociodemographic data and scores of worry and self-efficacy of study participants were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Cambridge Worry Scale, and Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, respectively. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, independent samples t test, and 2 test.
Results: The study results showed that worry and its dimensions were lower in the trained group than in the routine care group, but significant differences were observed only in the mean scores of sociomedical dimension (13.08 ± 12.04 and 17.40 ± 9.24, respectively, P = .005) and total worry (24.14 ± 23.43 and 30.37 ± 19.59, respectively, P = .04). The means cores of childbirth self-efficacy were significantly higher in the trained group compared with that in the routine care group (303.66 ± 48.15 and 192.22 ± 68.08, respectively, P < .001).
Conclusion: Results of the study showed a positive association between attending the childbirth preparation classes and reduction in worry and improvement in childbirth self-efficacy in primigravidas. So, encouraging pregnant women to participate in childbirth classes may help lower their worry about childbirth.
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