The effect of midwifery led counseling based on Gamble’s approach on childbirth fear and self-efficacy in nulligravida women

Abstract

Background Studies show that childbirth fear is a common problem among Iranian women. Therefore, most Iranian women prefer caesarean section for giving birth. This study investigated the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention by midwives (birth emotions - looking to improve expectant fear (BELIEF)) on decreasing childbirth fear and self-efficacy among first-time pregnant women who were afraid of giving birth. Methods A number of 80 pregnant women participated in the study. They had received a score of ≥66 on the Wijma delivery expectancy/experience questionnaire. They were randomly assigned into two groups: intervention (n = 40) and control groups (n = 40). The intervention group received two face-to-face counseling sessions based on the BELEF protocol in the 24th and 34th weeks of pregnancy. Between these two sessions, it also received eight telephone-counseling sessions once a week. The control group only received the prenatal routine care. The outcome measures were childbirth fear, childbirth self-efficacy, and childbirth preference. Results The intervention group showed significantly more reduction in childbirth fear and more increase in childbirth self-efficacy compared to the control group. In addition, more women in the intervention group reported that they preferred to give normal vaginal birth than women in the control group. Conclusion The BELIEF protocol could be an effective approach in reducing childbirth fear and increasing childbirth self-efficacy among first-time pregnant women who are afraid of giving birth. Trial registration number IRCT20101219005417N3, Date of Registration: 19-12-2018.

The effect of midwifery-led counseling on expectant fathers’ fear of childbirth: a smartphone- based randomized controlled trial

“…However, Firouzan et al revealed that midwifery-led counseling in pregnant women have reduced the choice of cesarean section as a delivery method. Although the finding of this study is not consistent with that of the present study, it can indicate the essential role of women in choosing the type of delivery and its influence on fathers [ 18 ].…”

“…The results of this study showed that midwifery-led counseling reduced the fathers’ fear of childbirth in the intervention group significantly. This finding is consistent with the previous studies that found out that midwifery-led counseling in two face-to-face sessions during the 24th and 34th weeks of pregnancy along with eight sessions of telephone counseling reduced the mothers’ fear of childbirth in the intervention group [ 18 ]. Similarly, Andaroon et al revealed that three sessions of individual counseling by the midwife during the 28th and 34th weeks of pregnancy reduced the mothers’ fear of childbirth in the intervention group [ 37 ].…”

“…The non-significant effect of midwifery-led counseling on GSE (by considering time-group interaction) among the expectant fathers do not support previous studies that showed some psychological interventions such as counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy can increase GSE in pregnant mothers [ 18 , 39 ]. In this way, it is stated that a person’s past experiences, observational learning, verbal persuasion, and emotional stimulation level of the individual (which not investigated in the present study) may effect on self-efficacy of an individual [ 40 ].…”

Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Interventions for Fear of Childbirth, Anxiety and Fear in Pregnant Women

“…14 studies focused on "fear of childbirth" as an outcome (Abdollahi et al, 2020;Airo (Toivanen) et al, 2018;Amiri et al, 2019;Andaroon et al, 2017;Boryri et al, 2018;Boz et al, 2020;Firouzan et al, 2020;Haapio et al, 2017;Hildingsson et al, 2019;Irmak Vural & Aslan, 2019;Kacperczyk-Bartnik et al, 2019;Karabulut et al, 2016;Klabbers et al, 2019;Kordi et al, 2017;Larsson et al, in press;Mary et al, 2017;Munkhondya et al, 2020;Narita et al, 2018;Nieminen et al, 2016;Rahmani et al, 2019;Rondung et al, 2018;Rouhe et al, 2015b;Shahsavan et al, 2020;Swift et al, in press;Uçar & Golbasi, 2019).…”

“…Esfandiari et al (2020) showed that group supportive counselling scores of state-anxiety were reduced more remarkably than in the CG with a large effect size. Firouzan (2020) (2016) which also studied the effect of group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) on state/trait anxiety during pregnancy. There was a significant decrease in the level of state and trait anxiety in the GCBT group before and after the intervention.…”