Randomised controlled trial of community debriefing following operative delivery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine if two debriefing sessions following an operative delivery could reduce a woman's fear of future childbirth.


METHODS
Prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT) with two arms comparing debriefing, aimed to reduce fear of future childbirth, with standard care after birth.


METHODS
District General Hospital with 2500 deliveries per year.


METHODS
Three hundred and nineteen mothers who delivered a first child by operative delivery (i.e. forceps, vacuum or emergency caesarean section). The study took place at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, from January 2002 to July 2003.


METHODS
Debriefing by community midwives specifically trained in postpartum debriefing at 10 days and 10 weeks.


METHODS
Fear of childbirth was assessed using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Scale (WDEQ). WDEQ scores were measured 10 days, 10 weeks and 20 weeks following delivery.


RESULTS
Fear of childbirth as measured by the WDEQ was lower throughout the study for the debriefing group. However, it never reached statistical significance in the short term [10 days debriefing = 94.5, control = 97.5 (P= 0.295), 10 weeks debriefing = 92.0, control = 97.9 (P= 0.076), 20 weeks debriefing = 90.9, control = 97.4 (P= 0.057)].


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows in the short term there was no significant difference in the WDEQ fear of childbirth scores. The debriefing group were showing a tendency for lower scores. Long term follow up of these cases may be more relevant.
Kershaw
Kathryn
K
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Lindley, West Yorkshire, UK.
Jolly
John
J
Bhabra
Kalvinder
K
Ford
Jane
J
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000379:methods*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery; D009772:Obstetrical Forceps / Q000009:adverse effects; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014620:Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology