Simulation-based childbirth education for Chinese primiparas: A pilot randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Patient education and counseling Vol. 104; no. 9; pp. 2266 - 2274
• Main Authors: Dai, Lijing, Shen, Quan, Redding, Sharon R., Ouyang, Yan-Qiong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Cesarean section; Fear of childbirth; Nursing; Primiparas; SimMom; Simulation-based childbirth education; SimMom; Fear of childbirth; Primiparas; Simulation-based childbirth education; Cesarean section
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.02.036

•This pilot study explored SimMom-based childbirth education in primiparas.•SimMom-based childbirth education alleviated fear of childbirth.•SimMom-based childbirth education improves childbirth self-efficacy.•SimMom-based childbirth education was feasible and effective in primiparas. To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of simulation-based childbirth education (SBCE) on reducing fear of childbirth (FOC) of Chinese primiparas. A total of 56 primiparas completed the trial including 26 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. The intervention group received four sessions of SBCE while the control group received routine prenatal care. Chinese versions of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ-A) and Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory (CBSEI) were used to evaluate FOC and childbirth self-efficacy. Birth outcomes including delivery method, labor duration and Apgar scores were collected. Scores on the WDEQ-A of the intervention group were statistically lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The CBSEI scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The cesarean birth rate of the intervention group was lower than that of the control group (34.61% vs 46.67%, P > 0.05). Simulation-based childbirth education alleviates FOC, increases childbirth self-efficacy and improves birth outcomes, providing a new perspective to alleviate FOC of primiparas in the future. Simulation-based childbirth education is an effective and feasible method to educate women about childbirth. Its integration into routine prenatal care of Chinese primiparas should be encouraged to reduce FOC.