Evaluation of the effect of the education module [preparing for childbirth] on the level of anxiety during pregnancy and labor in primigravida women

ABSTRACT

Women are likely to be involved in anxiety two times more than men. One of the reasons for this increase is that stressors like pregnancy and labor are specific for women. 70 percent of primigravidas and 75 percent of multigravidas experience anxiety during their pregnancy. So, this research was done with the aim of evaluating the effect of education module [Preparing for childbirth] on the level of anxiety during pregnancy and labor in primigravidas referring to the Social Security Insurance clinic in Mashad. This study was a kind of semi-experimental clinical research that was done on 110 primigavidas. The method was goal-center sampling on three occasions; beginning of research, pregnancy period and labor by using the Cattells anxiety test. After determination of primary anxiety, experimental group was educated for [preparation for childbirth] in 3 meetings for 3 weeks, and about four weeks after the determination of primary anxiety. During labor, [dilation 3-5 cm] anxiety in two groups was measured. Findings showed that education significantly decreases the anxiety during pregnancy [p < 0.0001] and labor [p<0.0001], while in the control group, the level of anxiety during pregnancy and labor as compared to the initial stage was significantly higher. There was a straight correlation between hidden anxiety and the acquired scores during education [P=0.018, r=0.28]. [Preparation for labor] education declines the anxiety of pregnant females during their pregnant period and as soon as the education is stopped, its effect gradually decreases and anxiety again increases. The researcher therefore proposes that for reduction of anxiety in pregnant females, continuous education should be imparted to pregnant women