Effectiveness of Prenatal Classes During Third Trimester to Reduce Anxiety Level and to Improve Birth-Preparedness among Primigravid Women Bhadran Divya1, Prabhu Anusuya. V.2,*, Juliet Lakhra Alma3 12nd year MSc Nursing, Obstetrics and Gynecological speciality, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal 2Assistant Professor, (Sr. Scale), Dept. of Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal 3Assistant Professor, Dept. of Fundamental Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka *Correspondent author: Mrs. Anusuya V Prabhu, Asst. Professor (senior scale) OBG Nursing Department, Manipal College of Nursing MAHE, Manipal, Udupi District, Karnataka state, India. E-mail: Anusuya.prabhu@manipal.edu, Mobile number: 9901731734
Online published on 13 November, 2019. Abstract Background The pain during labor is because of uterine contractions and cervical dilation and psychological factors like stress, anxiety and fear. The labor pains can affect a woman's emotional control and it can be correlated with the anxiety and fear1. Objective To determine the effectiveness of prenatal classes on reduction in anxiety level and birth preparedness among primi gravid women. Method and Material A quasi-experimental one group pretest-posttest study design was used comprising of 76 primi gravid women. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the samples and simple random sampling technique (chit method without replacement) was used to select the samples for experimental and control groups. 38 samples each in experimental and control group. Data were collected using Demographic Proforma, anxiety assessment scale and knowledge regarding birth preparedness. Experimental group received prenatal classes during 35 and 36 weeks of gestation. Control group received routine care. Page 1 Results Study results showed prenatal classes found to be effective in reducing anxiety level regarding labour and improved birth preparedness among primi gravid mothers. Majority of the primigravid women did not had prior information regarding birth preparedness 36 (97%) in control group and 31 (89%) from experimental group. Comparison of pretest post-test anxiety scores of experimental group was df 26, t (18.9) (p < 0.001). And comparison of post-test anxiety score of experimental and control group was df 70, t (16.61), (p < 0.001). Effectiveness of pre-test and post-test birth-preparedness scores of experimental group df 36, t (23.38), (p < 0.001). Conclusion The findings of the study illustrated that anxiety is common during pregnancy. Birth preparedness classes will help primi mothers to reduce anxiety regarding delivery and well prepare physiologically and psychologically to phase delivery and to have better pregnancy outcome. Top Keywords Prenatal classes, labor, third trimester, anxiety, birth preparedness Primigravidas. Top |