Study to Assess the Effect of Childbirth Education on Intrapartum Coping behaviours of Primiparous Women in a Selected Maternity Center of a Tertiary Level Hospital in Pune

Introduction: Child birth is a normal physiological process, yet gaining confidence by enhancing knowledge about childbirth can be considered an important factor influencing a parturient’s birthing experience.

Method: A prospective quasi-experimental study conducted on 60 registered primigravidae attending the ANC OPD of a hospital at Pune. 30 included in the intervention group, received 3 sessions of CBE. The effect of this measured intranatally by a self-developed Intrapartum Behavioural Observation Checklist. The coping behaviours of the intervention group measured and compared against 30 primigravidae women who received conventional antenatal education.

Results: Primigravidae were poorly informed about childbirth preparedness and not prepared for the experience of childbirth. Majority had no concept regarding the severity of pain, duration of labour and coping measures stress of labour.

Significant reduction in episiotomy rates, use of analgesics and improvement in coping behaviours found among the experimental group. Hence the research hypothesis was accepted, level of significance = 0.001.

Discussion: Gaps identified in the knowledge and practice of childbirth preparedness among primigravidae in urban Pune. Also analyzed the positive effects of childbirth education on intrapartum coping behaviours of primiparous women. Episiotomy rates and use of intrapartum analgesics were less in the Intervention group. Intrapartum behavioural compliance and exhibition of positive self-care, intra partum coping behaviours were also significantly high.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the short term; need based childbirth educational intervention demonstrated a highly significant impact on the intrapartum coping behaviours of primiparous women.