Intervention effect of three-line relaxation method on the fear of childbirth and pregnancy outcome in primipara

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of three-line relaxation method on the fear of childbirth and pregnancy outcome in primipara, to explore the useful method to prevent childbirth fear of primipara. Methods A total of 94 cases of primipara who had regular prenatal care at Rizhao Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from June 2017 to June 2018 were divided into study group and control group with 47 cases each by random number table method. Participants in the control group received routine nursing, while the study group carried out Lamaze respiratory delivery-based three-line relaxation method. The fear of childbirth was investigated by Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ-A) before intervention, 4 weeks of intervention and before delivery, the anxiety was assessed by Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PAQ). Meanwhile, the pregnancy and neonatal outcome was also compared between two groups. Results After 4 weeks of intervention and before delivery, the W-DEQ-A scores were (74.73±7.48) and (80.32±9.25) points in the study group, lower than in the control group (83.11±12.19) and (87.11±10.22) pionts; the PAQ scores were (20.79±4.04) and (18.68±4.09) points, also lower than in the control group (24.74±4.69) and (23.22±4.11) points, the difference was statistically significant (t value was 3.301-5.246, P<0.01). The duration of labor and the rate of caesarean section were (11.66±3.71) h, 6.82% (3/44) and (15.39±4.27) h, 21.74% (10/46) in the study group and control group, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t value was 4.417, χ2 value was 4.051, P<0.01 or 0.05). Conclusions Lamaze respiratory delivery-based three-line relaxation method can reduce anxiety and childbirth fear and improve pregnancy outcome of primipara, which is worthy of popularization and application. Key words: Three-line relaxation method; Lamaze respiratory care; Fear of childbirth; Pregnancy outcome; Primipara