title: Does antenatal education reduce fear of childbirth?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the effect of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, acceptance of pregnancy and identification with motherhood role.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is insufficient evidence pertaining to the effect of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, acceptance of pregnancy and identification with motherhood role.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The purpose of antenatal education is to help couples make the right decisions during delivery. Through antenatal education, couples prepare themselves for delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a quasi-experimental and prospective study that employs a pre- and post-education model. In total, 192 pregnant women (education group, n = 69 and control group, n = 123) participated in the study. Data were collected using the pregnancy identification form: the Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire and a version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prior to participating in the study, the education group and control group had similar levels of acceptance of pregnancy and identification with motherhood role, whereas a significant difference was found in their fear of childbirth levels. When surveyed again after receiving education, the two groups' levels of acceptance of pregnancy and fear of childbirth were found to be significantly different. However, they had similar levels of identification with the motherhood role.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antenatal education appears to increase the acceptance of pregnancy, does not affect the identification with motherhood role and reduces the fear of childbirth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A systematic antenatal education programme, as part of routine antenatal care services, would help reduce the rate of interventional labour and facilitate pregnant women's conscious participation in the act of labour by reducing their fear of childbirth.
authors.affiliation: Zeynep Kamil Women and Child Disease Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ö
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Division of Nursing, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coşkuner Potur
authors.affiliation: Zeynep Kamil Women and Child Disease Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Doğan Merih
authors.affiliation: Zeynep Kamil Women and Child Disease Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cebeci Mutlu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Division of Nursing, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Demirci
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D064186:Prenatal Education; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Antenatal Education; Fear of Childbirth; Midwife; Nurse; Pregnancy; Prenatal; Type of Birth