Effects of online antenatal education on worries about labour, fear of childbirth, preparedness for labour and fear of covid-19 during the covid-19 pandemic: A single-blind randomised controlled study

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of online antenatal education on worries about labour, fear of childbirth, preparedness for labour and fear of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design: A single-blind randomised controlled trial comparing two groups: an antenatal education group and a control group. Participants: The sample consisted of 44 pregnant women. Measurements: A demographic data form, The Oxford Worries on Labour Scale, The Fear of Birth Scale, The Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used for data collection.Findings: Online antenatal education decreased worries about labour, fear of childbirth and fear of COVID-19 and improved preparedness for labour.Key conclusions: Online antenatal education offered during the COVID-19 pandemic is effective in pre-paredness for labour. Implications for practice: As an alternative, online antenatal education should be offered to pregnant women unable to attend face to face education programs due to fear of transmission of infection.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.