Comparison of childbirth experiences and postpartum depression among primiparous women based on their attendance in childbirth preparation classes

Publication Name

Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine

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.

Open Access Status

This publication is not available as open access

Volume

35

Issue

18

First Page

3612

Last Page

3619

Funding Sponsor

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Share

COinS
 

Link to publisher version (DOI)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2020.1834531