Effect of Implementing Childbirth Preparation Classes on Women's Self-efficacy and Pregnancy Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2025.v16i03.010Abstract
Background: Giving birth is a major event in life that many women undergo and have long-term effects. Childbirth classes are one of the most effective ways to assist women with increasing their self-efficacy and managing their pain levels during labour. Objective: To assess and ascertain how women's self-efficacy and pregnancy outcomes are affected by the implementation of childbirth preparation classes. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was used. This study was conducted at the University Hospital of the Sohag Governorate's prenatal clinics. The study included 100 convenient primigravida pregnant who were split into two equal groups (intervention) who received child preparation classes and control (who received routine clinic care). A structured interview questionnaire, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, and pregnancy outcome tools were used. Results: The study showed that at a p-value <0.01, there were significant statistical differences between the study and control groups' overall childbearing self-efficacy during the first and second stages of labour. Conclusion: Primigravida women attending the class demonstrated higher levels of self-efficacy in managing labour pain compared to those not attending childbirth classes. Recommendation: Birth preparation classes must be encouraged at every antenatal clinic and hospital because they significantly increase women's confidence in managing and reducing labour pain and enhance the outcomes of the childbirth process.
Keywords:
Pregnancy Outcomes, Prenatal Classes, Women Self-EfficacyDownloads
References
AlSomali, Z., Bajamal, E., & Esheaba, O. (2023). The effect of structured antenatal education on childbirth self-efficacy. Cureus, 15(5). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.39285.
Aly, R. R., Badia, T. S., Mohammed, H. M., Mohammed, F. M., & Ahmed, R. A. (2022). Effectiveness of online antenatal educational classes on pregnancy outcome. International Egyptian Journal of Nursing Sciences and Research, 3(1), 516-536. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejnsr.2022.247232
Betran, A. P., Ye, J., Moller, A. B., Souza, J. P., & Zhang, J. (2021). Trends and projections of caesarean section rates: global and regional estimates. BMJ Global Health, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005671
Bostan, F. S., & Kabukcuoğlu, K. (2022). Factors relating to childbirth self-efficacy among pregnant women: a CHAID analysis. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 42(7), 2805-2812. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2022.2109412
Elsharkawy, N. B., Alruwaili, M. M., Mohamed Elsayed Ramadan, O., Alruwaili, A. N., Ouda, M. M. A., Oraby, F. A., Mansy, A. M. A., & Abdelaziz, E. M. (2024). Prevalence and determinants of fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Egypt: A cross-sectional study. Midwifery, 136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2024.104088
Gluck, O., Pinchas‐Cohen, T., Hiaev, Z., Rubinstein, H., Bar, J., & Kovo, M. (2020). The impact of childbirth education classes on delivery outcome. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 148(3), 300-304. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.13016
Hassanzadeh, R., Abbas‐Alizadeh, F., Meedya, S., Mohammad‐Alizadeh‐Charandabi, S., & Mirghafourvand, M. (2021). Primiparous women's knowledge and satisfaction based on their attendance at childbirth preparation classes. Nursing Open, 8(5), 2558-2566. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.787
Hewitt, J., & Murray, K. (2024). Negative body image mental health literacy in women: Exploring aesthetic and functional concerns and the role of self-objectification. Body Image, 48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101657
Hong, K., Hwang, H., Han, H., Chae, J., Choi, J., Jeong, Y., ... & Lee, K. J. (2021). Perspectives on antenatal education associated with pregnancy outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Women and Birth, 34(3), 219-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.04.002
Ip, W. Y., Chung, T. K., & Tang, C. S. (2008). The chinese childbirth self-efficacy inventory: The development of a short form. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(3), 333–340. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01919.x
İsbir, G. G., İnci, F., Önal, H., & Yıldız, P. D. (2016). The effects of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, maternal self-efficacy and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following childbirth: an experimental study. Applied Nursing Research, 32, 227-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2016.07.013
Khan, B., Hameed, W., & Avan, B. I. (2023). Psychosocial support during childbirth: Development and adaptation of WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Programme (MHGAP) for maternity care settings. PloS One, 18(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285209
McCall, S. J., Semaan, A., Altijani, N., Opondo, C., Abdel-Fattah, M., & KabakianKhasholian, T. (2021). Trends, wealth inequalities and the role of the private sector in caesarean section in the Middle East and North Africa: A repeat cross-sectional analysis of population-based surveys. PloS One, 16(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259791
Mkandawire, P., Atari, O., Kangmennaang, J., Arku, G., Luginaah, I., & Etowa, J. (2019). Pregnancy intention and gestational age at first antenatal care (ANC) visit in Rwanda. Midwifery, 68(3), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2018.08.017
Moshki, M., Esmailzadeh-Asali, F., Rahmani-Bilandi, R., Esmaily, H., Dehnoalian, A., & Jafari, A. (2024). The effect of prenatal education in two ways, face-to-face and virtual, on the fear of natural childbirth in pregnant women. Journal of Public Health, 32(7), 1219-1227. https://doi.org/10.56013/jurnalmidz.v5i1.1369
Mueller, C. G., Webb, P. J., & Morgan, S. (2020). The Effects of Childbirth Education on Maternity Outcomes and Maternal Satisfaction. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 29(1), 16–22. https://doi.org/10.1891/1058-1243.29.1.16
Murugesu, L., Damman, O. C., Derksen, M. E., Timmermans, D. R., De Jonge, A., Smets, E. M., & Fransen, M. P. (2021). Women’s participation in decision-making in maternity care: a qualitative exploration of clients’ health literacy skills and needs for support. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031130
Pinar, G., Avsar, F., & Aslantekin, F. (2018). Evaluation of the impact of childbirth education classes in Turkey on adaptation to pregnancy process, concerns about birth, rate of vaginal birth, and adaptation to maternity: A case-control study. Clinical Nursing Research, 27(3), 315-342. https://doi.org/10.1177/1054773816682331
Said, A. R., Hassan, H. M., & Salama, A. M. (2022). Effect of childbirth preparation classes on women’s knowledge, self-efficacy and satisfaction to cope with labour pain. International Journal of Management (IJM), 13(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/VM7
Schmidt, G., Stoll, K., Jäger, B., & Gross, M. M. (2015). German version of the childbirth self-efficacy inventory and its short form. Zeitschrift fur Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie, 220(1), 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1547296
Sunay, Z., & Uçar, T. (2022). The effect of childbirth education and birth plan on childbirth self-efficacy: a randomized controlled trial. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 16(2), 422-433. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1005828
Tu, D., Li, P., Zhu, H., Pan, Y., & Li, T. T. (2024). Returning to workplace after childbirth: Challenges faced by female employees in star-rated hotels, China. Tourism Management Perspectives, 52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2024.101259
Varnakioti, D., Sarantaki, A., Gourounti, K., & Lykeridou, A. (2022). Identifying factors associated with adolescents' Intention for childbirth. Journal of Mother and Child, 26(1), 93–103. https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20222601.d-22-00022
World Health Organization (WHO) (2022). Guide for integration of perinatal mental health in maternal and child health services. World Health Organization. Retrieved from: https://shorturl.at/x6DnY. Accessed on 12th November, 2023.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
