Loading...
Comparison of childbirth experiences and postpartum depression among primiparous women based on their attendance in childbirth preparation classes
Hassanzadeh, Robab Abbas-Alizadeh, Fatemeh Meedya, Shahla Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, Sakineh Mirghafourvand, Mojgan
Hassanzadeh, Robab
Abbas-Alizadeh, Fatemeh
Meedya, Shahla
Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, Sakineh
Mirghafourvand, Mojgan
Abstract
Background
Assessment of women’s childbirth experience is an important indicator in maternity services. Positive childbirth experiences improve mothers’ health, whereas negative childbirth experiences can cause psychological stresses and, in extreme cases, may lead to postpartum depression.
Methods
In this cohort study, 204 women at 35–37 weeks of gestation were selected using cluster sampling from the health centers of Tabriz, Iran. Women were divided into three groups (68 women in each group) based on their attendance in childbirth preparation classes: (a) non-attenders (did not attend any sessions), (b) irregular attenders (attended 1–3 sessions), and (c) regular attendants (attended 4–8 sessions). Interviews were conducted at one month postpartum to complete the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The general linear model (GLM) was used to identify associations between women’s attendance to the classes and either their childbirth experience or postpartum depression scores.
Results
Based on the GLM, the mean score of childbirth experience among the regular attenders was significantly higher than women who were irregular attenders (p = .032) or non-attenders (p < .001). In addition, the mean score of postpartum depression scale was significantly lower among regular attenders compared with non-attenders (p < .001). However, there was no significant difference in postpartum depression score among regular and irregular attenders (p = .257).
Conclusions
Attending prenatal classes was associated with positive childbirth experience and low postpartum depression score.
Keywords
childbirth experience, postpartum depression, childbirth preparation classes, primiparous women, cohort study
Date
2022
Type
Journal article
Journal
The Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
Book
Volume
35
Issue
18
Page Range
3612-3619
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.