The research is designed as a pre-test, post-test, parallel-group, randomized controlled study to examine the effect of a spouse-participated childbirth preparation program based on self-efficacy theory on fear of childbirth, self-efficacy, mode of delivery and outcomes. Participants will be allocated to experimental and control groups through block randomization. Participants in the experimental group will be enrolled in a two-session spouse-participated childbirth preparation program based on self-efficacy theory once a week, in addition to receiving routine care at the hospital. Participants in the control group will not receive any intervention, only routine care provided at the hospital.
Nulliparous pregnant women and their spouses who apply to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic and outpatient clinic of the hospital where the research will be conducted will be assessed for eligibility according to the inclusion criteria, and informed consent will be obtained. Subsequently, prospective fathers will be given a Personal Information Form and the Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale; prospective mothers will be given a Personal Information Form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory Short Form, and the Perception of Spousal Support in Pregnancy Scale as pre-tests. Couples will be allocated to the experimental or control group according to a block randomization list. Couples assigned to the experimental group will be included in a three-week program, attending a self-efficacy theory-based childbirth preparation program in groups of 3-4 couples, scheduled according to their availability. At the end of the sessions, the training guide reflecting the content of the training will be given to the couples and they will be asked to read it at home and do their homework by using the relevant parts of the guide. At the same time, these couples will continue routine pregnancy controls in the hospital. Routine pregnancy check-ups at the hospital include standard antenatal follow-ups, and pregnant women and their partners receive information about the pregnancy and labour process only during the medical examination. It is planned to complete the trainings once a week, twice in total and for two weeks. After the trainings are completed, it is planned to send at least three reminders by text message until the calculated delivery date. Brochures and text message contents related to the training content will be used in the reminder. After completing the training, the Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory Short Form, and the Perception of Spousal Support in Pregnancy Scale will be administered again. Following childbirth, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version B will be completed by the mothers, and the birth process information form will be filled out by the researcher. Couples in the control group will undergo the same pre-test and post-test assessments as the experimental group. However, no additional intervention will be provided to these couples, and they will receive the same routine care as the experimental group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
120
According to the block randomisation method, the couples who are included in the experimental group by applying the pre-test will be included in the programme in groups of 3-4 couples by planning the day and time they can participate in the programme. At the end of the sessions, the training guide reflecting the training content will be given to the couples and they will be asked to read it at home and do their homework by using the relevant parts of the guide. At the same time, these couples will continue their routine pregnancy controls in the hospital. It is planned to complete the trainings once a week, twice in total and for two weeks. After the trainings are completed, it is planned to send at least three reminders by text message until the calculated delivery date. Brochures and text message content related to the training content will be used in the reminder.
Lokman Hekim University
Ankara, Söğütözü Mahallesi, Turkey (Türkiye)
The Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory Short Form
Measures the level of self-efficacy of expectant mothers in childbirth. The lowest score that can be obtained from the overall scale is 32 and the highest score is 320. The highest score obtained from the overall scale means that women's self-efficacy levels in childbirth are high (Ersoy \& Kukulu, 2011).
Time frame: The pre-test will be administered before randomisation and the post-test will be administered 15 minutes after the training is completed (on the same day).
Birth Process Information Form
This form inquires about the mode of delivery and intervention at birth. One of the primary outcomes of the research is mode of delivery.
Time frame: It will be applied two hours after the expectant mother gives birth.
The Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale
Measures the level of fear of childbirth in expectant fathers. The minimum score that can be obtained from the scale is 17 and the maximum score is 85. As the score increases, the level of fear of birth experienced by fathers also increases (Calpbinici vd., 2023).
Time frame: The pre-test will be administered before randomisation and the post-test will be administered 15 minutes after the training is completed (on the same day).
The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A-B
Measures the level of fear of childbirth in expectant mothers. The minimum score that can be obtained from the scale is 0 and the maximum score is 165. As the score obtained from the scale increases, women's fear of childbirth also increases (Korukcu vd., 2012; Korukcu vd., 2016).
Time frame: The pre-test will be administered before randomisation and the post-test 2 hours after the delivery.
The Perception of Spousal Support in Pregnancy Scale
Measures pregnant women's perceived partner support. A minimum of 16 and a maximum of 80 points can be obtained from the scale. A higher score means higher perceived spousal support (Yurdakul vd., 2020).
Time frame: The pre-test will be administered before randomisation and the post-test will be administered 15 minutes after the training is completed (on the same day).
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