Effects of a Coaching-based Childbirth Program on Anxiety and Childbirth Self-efficacy among Primigravida Women

Abstract

Purpose: Childbirth self-efficacy plays an important role in women's ability to cope with labor and delivery. Coaching has been gaining popularity as a way to promote cognitive, emotional and behavioral change. This study aimed to test the effects of a Coaching-based childbirth program on anxiety and childbirth self-efficacy among primigravida women.

Methods: The study design was a quasi-experimental pre-post design. A coaching-based childbirth program was developed synthesizing concepts and techniques from the literature on coaching and was verified by an expert panel. It consisted of four weekly 2-hour small group sessions. Pregnant women were recruited from H hospital in Seoul. Childbirth self-efficacy and state anxiety were measured before and after the program.

Results: Although there was a no significant reduction in anxiety, there were statistically significant increase for childbirth self-efficacy in the experimental group when compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The program appears to increase childbirth self-efficacy for pregnant women. Future studies may benefit from using mixed coaching modalities and consider measuring health behaviors and obstetric outcomes to gain insights on its long-term impact.

Keywords: Anxiety; Childbirth; Self-efficacy.