The effect of yoga on fear of childbirth and childbirth self-efficacy in primigravid women: a randomized controlled trial

In the recent years, yoga has been considered by researchers as a safe and effective method in promoting the physical and mental health of pregnant women. This study was conducted with aim to determine the effect of yoga on the fear of childbirth and childbirth self-efficacy in primigravida women.

This randomized controlled trial study was performed on 70 primigravid women referred to the comprehensive health centers of Hamadan in 2020. Participants completed the demographic information questionnaire, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire (CAQ), and the Childbirth Self-efficacy Inventory (CBSEI), and then were randomly assigned to the control and intervention groups. Women in the intervention group performed 6 sessions of yoga exercises, and then they performed these exercises at home three times a week. The questionnaires were again completed by both groups at 36 weeks of gestational age. Data were analyzed using Stata software and Independent t-test, Chi-square, Fisher's exact test and analysis of covariance. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The fear of childbirth scores in the intervention group was lower than the control group after the intervention (27.94±4.40 and 38.11±4.40, respectively). In contrast, the childbirth self-efficacy score in the intervention group was higher than the control group after the intervention (57.66±4.40 and 50.13±4.40, respectively).

Performing yoga exercises can reduce the fear of childbirth and increase the self-efficacy of childbirth in primigravid women.