# The Comparison of the Effect of Childbirth Preparation Classes and Spirituality‐Based Counseling on Childbirth Fear Among Nulliparous Pregnant Women: A Quasi‐Experimental Study

## TL;DR

This study compared childbirth preparation classes and spirituality-based counseling to reduce fear of childbirth in first-time pregnant women.

## Contribution

The study empirically compares two interventions for reducing childbirth fear in nulliparous women.

## Key findings

- Both interventions significantly reduced childbirth fear compared to routine care.
- Spirituality-based counseling showed greater long-term reduction in fear than preparation classes.

## Abstract

Fear of childbirth is a common issue during pregnancy. This study aimed to compare the effects of childbirth preparation classes and spirituality‐based counseling on the levels of childbirth fear in primiparous pregnant women.

This quasi‐experimental study involved 90 primiparous pregnant women. Participants were randomly selected and were subsequently divided into three groups: (A) childbirth preparation classes (n = 30), (B) spirituality‐based counseling (n = 30), and (C) a control group (n = 30). Group A participated in 8 weekly sessions of childbirth preparation classes in addition to routine care. Group B attended 8 weekly sessions of spirituality‐based counseling in addition to routine care, and Group C received only routine care. Three groups completed the delivery expectancy/experience questionnaire before, 1 week after, and 5 weeks after the intervention.

Before the intervention, the mean scores of fear of childbirth were 50.97 ± 4.75, 53.23 ± 4.87, and 53.03 ± 5.12 in the A, B, and C groups, respectively, and there were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores of fear of childbirth among the three groups. One week after the intervention, the mean scores for fear of childbirth were significantly lower in the A and the B groups compared with the C group (40.20 ± 4.97 and 43.06 ± 10.14 vs. 54.66 ± 5.60, p < 0.001) and no significant statistical difference was seen between the A and B groups. Five weeks after the intervention, the mean scores for fear of childbirth were significantly lower in the A and the B groups compared with the C group (35.26 ± 4.20, 30.50 ± 6.13, p < 0.001), and a significant statistical difference was seen between group A and B (p = 0.001) with a greater reduction in group B.

Both spirituality‐based counseling and childbirth preparation classes reduced levels of fear of childbirth in pregnant women.