The Effect of Prenatal Counseling on the Knowledge and Performance About Postpartum Care in Primigravida Women

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prenatal counseling on knowledge and practice about postpartum care in primigravida women. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in health centers of Hamadan city in 2017. Using a stratified sampling, 96 primigravida women at their 32-34 weeks, were qualified to enter the intervention and control groups. For the experimental group, three 45 minutes weekly counseling sessions were held. Knowledge of postpartum care were gathered by questionnaires before intervention and 42 days after delivery and practice of postpatum care was assessed 42 days after delivery using national Sib Samaneh. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Results: The mean of maternal knowledge scores from postpartum care in the intervention group before and after intervention increased from 17.4±7.1 to 33.3±6.6 and there was a significant difference with the control group (20.8±5.4 to 21.6±5.8) (P<0.001). The mean score of mothers' performances on postpartum care in the intervention group was higher than that of the control group (13±1 vs 10±1/9), and comparing the two groups, a significant difference was observed (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed the positive effects of prenatal counseling on increasing the level of knowledge and improving the practice of postpartum care in primigravida women. Therefore, due to various postpartum problems, it is recommended that appropriate education be provided before delivery.

Keywords

• prenatal counseling
• postpartum cares
• primigravida women