title: Promoting positive motherhood among nulliparous pregnant women with an intense fear of childbirth: RCT intervention.
abstract: This RCT intervention among nulliparous pregnant women with an intense fear of childbirth sought to promote preparedness for childbirth and to enhance positive parenting. Pregnant women (n = 8,611) filled in a 'fear of childbirth' questionnaire. Nulliparous women with severe fear of childbirth (n = 355) were randomized into intervention (n = 131; 41 refused) and control (n = 224) groups. They rated themselves on a preparedness scale in middle and late pregnancy, and on a motherhood scale three months after childbirth. The intervention included six psycho-education group sessions during pregnancy and one after childbirth. This intervention increased the mothers' preparedness for childbirth, which predicted an increase in positive motherhood.
authors.affiliation: University of Helsinki, Finland. katariina.salmela-aro@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Katariina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Salmela-Aro
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rouhe
authors.forename: Erja
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Halmesmäki
authors.forename: Riikka Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Toivanen
authors.forename: Maiju Ilona
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Tokola
authors.forename: Terhi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saisto
mesh_terms: D004493:Education / Q000379:methods; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010298:Parity; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires