Effects of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, maternal self-efficacy and parental attachment

Abstract

Objectiveto examine the effects of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, maternal self-efficacy, and maternal and paternal attachment. Designquasi-experimental study, comparing an antenatal education group and a control group. Participants63 pregnant women and their husbands. Measurementsdemographic data forms, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, the Maternal Attachment Inventory and the Postnatal Paternal–Infant Attachment Questionnaire were used for data collection. Findingsantenatal education was found to reduce the fear of childbirth and to increase childbirth-related maternal self-efficacy. However, antenatal education was found to have no effect on parental attachment. Key conclusionsit is recommended that widespread antenatal education programmes should be provided in developing countries, and the content of the education programme about parental attachment should be increased. Implications for practicethis study found that antenatal education has no influence on maternal and paternal attachment. As such, there is a need to increase the content of the education programme about parental attachment.