The effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy and haptonomy on fear of childbirth in primigravida women: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Considering the role of fear of childbirth (FOC) in the enhancement of unnecessary cesarean sections (CS), the present study aimed at evaluating the effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and haptonomy on the FOC (as primary outcome) and intended birth method and final birth method (as secondary outcomes) among primigravida women. Methods This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 99 primigravida women in Tabriz, Iran 2022. Participants were assigned to three groups with a ratio of 1:1:1 using stratified block randomization based on the fear intensity. One of the intervention groups (n = 33) received eight group sessions of CBT from 24 to 28 weeks of gestation and the other intervention group (n = 33) received haptonomy during seven sessions once a week. The control group (n = 33) received routine prenatal care. The Wijma questionnaire was completed by the participants before the intervention, after the intervention at 35–37 weeks of gestation, and after birth. The intended birth method was investigated before and after the intervention at 35–37 weeks of gestation. The final birth method and the reasons for CS were recorded based on the mother’s medical profile. The one-way ANOVA was used before the intervention and RMANOVA after the intervention to compare the mean scores of FOC among the three groups. Further, chi-square test was applied to compare the intended and final birth method. Results The mean (standard deviation: SD) of FOC in the CBT group changed from 74.09 (11.35) at 24–28 weeks of gestation to 46.50 (18.28) at 35–37 weeks and 48.78 (20.64) after birth (P < 0.001). The means (SDs) of FOC in the haptonomy group were 76.81 (13.09), 46.59 (15.81), and 45.09 (20.11), respectively (P < 0.001). The mean (SD) of FOC in the control group decreased from 70.31 (6.71) to 66.56 (18.92) and then, increased to 71.00 (21.14) after birth (P = 0.878). After the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in terms of the intended birth method (P = 0.278), and final birth method (P = 0.107). Conclusion The findings of the present study revealed that both CBT and haptonomy interventions reduce FOC. Although the desire for vaginal birth and final vaginal birth in the haptonomy group was more than that in the other two groups, there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20170506033834N9. Date of registration: 02.01.2022. URL: http://en.irct.ir .

Keywords

• Fear
• Birth
• Methods
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Maternal-fetal relations