The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of stress management and epigenetic awareness training provided in prenatal classes on maternal stress levels, cortisol levels, and epigenetic awareness. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Do stress management and epigenetic awareness training provided in prenatal classes affect pregnant women's cortisol levels? 2. Does the training affect pregnant women's knowledge and awareness of epigenetic effects?
The study sample will be selected using random sampling from among pregnant women who apply to the Prenatal Education Program at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with an experimental and control group, employing a pre-test-post-test approach. A portion of the pregnant women, selected through random assignment, will be included in the experimental group, while the remaining portion will be included in the control group. Data will be collected by the researcher through face-to-face interviews at the Prenatal Education School of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. Each face-to-face interview will last approximately 15-30 minutes. The study will be conducted with two groups: the Maternal Epigenetic Education Module intervention group (intervention) and the control group. Prior to the start of the educational program, pre-test data will be collected from participants in the intervention group by administering the Personal Information Form, the Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale, and the Epigenetic Awareness and Knowledge Form. Additionally, saliva samples will be collected to determine participants' cortisol levels. The Maternal Epigenetic Education Module will be conducted over three weeks, consisting of a total of three sessions held once a week. The educational presentation will cover stress management, the potential effects of stress during pregnancy on the mother, the potential effects of stress during pregnancy on the fetus, epigenetic mechanisms, and the effects of the mother's lifestyle on fetal health. Following the completion of the training program, the Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale and the Epigenetic Awareness and Knowledge Form will be administered again to obtain final test data, and saliva samples will be collected once more to measure cortisol levels. For participants in the control group, only two interviews will be conducted. During the first interview, the Personal Information Form, the Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale, and the Epigenetic Awareness and Knowledge Form will be administered, and a saliva sample will be collected. At the second follow-up visit, which will take place four weeks later, final data will be collected using the Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale and the Epigenetic Awareness and Knowledge Form, and saliva samples will be collected again for cortisol measurement. The stress levels, epigenetic awareness levels, and cortisol levels of the pregnant women will be measured before and after the intervention.
The Maternal Epigenetics Education Module is a structured educational intervention designed to reduce stress levels in expectant mothers during pregnancy, raise their awareness of the effects of stress on both the mother and the fetus, and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors within the framework of epigenetic mechanisms. The module addresses the relationship between stress, epigenetics, and fetal health during pregnancy from a scientific perspective and aims to equip expectant mothers with basic skills for managing stress.
Emine Aksüt Akçay
Kahramanmaraş, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGKahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University
Kahramanmaraş, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGAssessment of Pregnancy-Related Stress
The Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale , used to identify pregnancy-related stress factors in pregnant women. The scale consists of 36 items and 5 subscales. Range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 144 points. Higher scores on the scale are interpreted as indicating increased stress.
Time frame: Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale will be administered to all pregnant women in both groups at the first interview (day 1)
Assessment of Pregnancy-Related Stress
The Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale , used to identify pregnancy-related stress factors in pregnant women. The scale consists of 36 items and 5 subscales. Range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 144 points. Higher scores on the scale are interpreted as indicating increased stress.
Time frame: Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale will be administered to all pregnant women in both groups at the first interview (At the end of Week 3)
Measuring pregnant women's awareness of epigenetic effects and stress
This is a short questionnaire developed by the researcher to measure pregnant women's awareness of epigenetic effects and stress. It was designed to determine the level of awareness regarding the impact of stress during pregnancy on the baby's genetic and epigenetic structure, the importance of lifestyle changes, and the education provided, and was prepared by the researcher to assess the effect of maternal stress on epigenetic awareness. This form is designed to measure pregnant women's awareness of the effects of stress during pregnancy on the baby's genetic and epigenetic structure, the importance of lifestyle changes, and the level of awareness regarding the education provided at the Prenatal Education Program (Nowak et al., 2020). It will be evaluated based on the pregnant women's experiences and knowledge over the past month.
Time frame: Epigenetic Awareness and Information Form will be administered to all pregnant women in both groups at the first interview (day 1)
Measuring pregnant women's awareness of epigenetic effects and stress
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Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
140
This is a short questionnaire developed by the researcher to measure pregnant women's awareness of epigenetic effects and stress. It was designed to determine the level of awareness regarding the impact of stress during pregnancy on the baby's genetic and epigenetic structure, the importance of lifestyle changes, and the education provided, and was prepared by the researcher to assess the effect of maternal stress on epigenetic awareness. This form is designed to measure pregnant women's awareness of the effects of stress during pregnancy on the baby's genetic and epigenetic structure, the importance of lifestyle changes, and the level of awareness regarding the education provided at the Prenatal Education Program (Nowak et al., 2020). It will be evaluated based on the pregnant women's experiences and knowledge over the past month.
Time frame: Epigenetic Awareness and Information Form will be administered to all pregnant women in both groups at the first interview (At the end of Week 3)
Cortisol level measurement
Cortisol levels will be measured using saliva samples from pregnant women. Cortisol samples will be collected on an empty stomach between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., and two samples will be collected from each participant-one before the training and one after the training.
Time frame: Salivary cortisol level will be administered to all pregnant women in both groups at the first interview (day 1)
Cortisol level measurement
Cortisol levels will be measured using saliva samples from pregnant women. Cortisol samples will be collected on an empty stomach between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., and two samples will be collected from each participant-one before the training and one after the training.
Time frame: Salivary cortisol level will be administered to all pregnant women in both groups at the first interview (At the end of Week 3)