Childbirth self-efficacy and birth related PTSD symptoms: an online childbirth education randomised controlled trial for mothers
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Objective: Evaluation of an online childbirth education course on childbirth self-efficacy and, subsequent birth related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and mother-infant relationship quality. Design: Three group (intervention, passive control, active control) parallel randomised controlled trial. Groups were assigned using computer generated random allocation. Method: One hundred and twenty-five women residing in Australia between 12 and 24 weeks pregnant were recruited online. Participants were asked to complete their required activity between 24 and 36 weeks pregnant. Childbirth self-efficacy scores were tested pre and post intervention, PTSD symptoms and mother-infant relationship quality were tested at six weeks and six months postnatal. Results: There was no significant interaction by group for childbirth self-efficacy scores. Mean difference scores at time one and time two for each group indicated a trend in the online group towards higher childbirth self-efficacy compared with the two control groups. The main effect of group on birth related PTSD scores was not statically significant at six weeks postnatal or at six months postnatal. The main effect of group on mother-infant relationship scores was not statically significant at six weeks postnatal or six months postnatal. Conclusion: Trends showed childbirth self-efficacy scores to be higher in the intervention group compared with the two control groups, demonstrating effectiveness for the intervention. Paradoxically, PTSD scores were higher in the intervention group compared with the two control groups and therefore also reported poorer mother-infant relationship quality. Trial Registration: This trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12624000241538 on March 11, 2024.
Source: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Institution: University of New England
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W4403350433