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

Kim, Sue; Kim, Hee Sook; Cheong, Ha Yoon

doi:2011.17.4.369

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 17(4); 2011 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2011;17(4):369-377.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2011.17.4.369

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

¹College of Nursing, Nursing Policy Research Institute, Yonsei University, Korea.
²College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Korea. kimhs02041@hotmail.com
³College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Korea.

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.

Key Words: Childbirth; Anxiety; Self-efficacy