Effect of Prenatal Psychological Trainings on Satisfaction with Childbirth and Maternal Role Competence in Primiparous Women

Background and Women's satisfaction with childbirth may influence their transition to motherhood. Training interventions during pregnancy may improve the ability of expectant mothers to cope with stress, promote the maternal role competence, and increase mothers’ satisfaction. This study aimed at investigating the effect of prenatal psychological trainings on satisfaction with childbirth and maternal role competence in primiparous women. This clinical trial was conducted in 122 primigravid women at 14-28 gestational age attending the Healthcare Centers in Mashhad, Iran 2015-2016. The subjects were divided into two groups of intervention and control using drawing. The intervention group received psychological trainings in three sessions. Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale, The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were administered. Data were analyzed applying descriptive and analytical statistics. Satisfaction with childbirth experiences was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to that in the control group (23.3% and 12.9%, respectively, P= 0.046). The mean scores for maternal role competence in intervention group and controls were the values61 (10) and 54/5 (12), respectively, indicating significant differences between the two groups (P= 0.003). According to current findings, prenatal psychological trainings increased mothers’ satisfaction with childbirth and enhanced maternal role competence.

(Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT2017071135008N1)