Effect of Birth Preparation Coaching Sessions on Women's Self Efficacy for Coping with Labor Pains and Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Women with childbirth experience as a significant life event that can affect them for the rest of their lives. Research from previous years supports the effectiveness of childbirth coaching sessions as one of the best ways to help women improve self-efficacy and cope with labour pain. Aim: Evaluate the effect of birth preparation coaching sessions on women's self efficacy for coping with labor pains and outcomes. Design: Quasi-experimental research design was used in this study. Setting: This study was carried out at antenatal care clinics in health care centers and the labor unit at Dar Sahet Elmar`Aa hospital that follow Egypt healthcare authority in Port Said city. Sample: 132 of primigravida women were randomly divided into two groups as part of a purposive sample. Tools: Four main tools were used: A Structured interviewing questionnaire, childbirth self-efficacy inventory, numerical rating scale, and childbirth outcomes sheet. Results: Showed that the mean scores for result outcome expectancy and self efficacy expectancy at the pretest did not significantly differ between the study and control groups. However during the posttest and throughout the follow-up phase, there were highly significant differences between the two groups (p=0.000). Additionally, the mean score of labour pain during the 1st and 2nd stage of labour decrease among the study group compared to control groups with highly significant differences (p = 0.001). Based on the method of delivery, intrapartum complications, and duration of labour, there were statistically significant differences between the studied groups (p=0.010, 0.015 and 0.005 respectively). Moreover, the studied groups differed statistically significantly in terms of apgar scores and ICU admissions (p= 0.002 & 0.012 respectively). Furthermore, both the studied groups showed positive correlations among total pain scores, self-efficacy scores, and labour outcomes. Conclusion: The study concluded that birthing coaching sessions improved study group members' self-efficacy in managing labour pain and labour outcomes when compared to control group members. Recommendations: To improve pregnant women's self efficacy, outpatient clinics should distribute brochures and posters about simple ways to deal with labour pain.