The effect of continuous intrapartum supportive care on maternal mental health: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Supportive care during labor is the primary role of intrapartum nurses and midwives and provides comfort for women allowing them to have a positive experience. It is argued that supportive care during labor reduces fear and resultant side effects. However, evidence for different parameters of mental health is insufficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of continuous intrapartum supportive care on the fear of childbirth, perceived control and support at birth, birth trauma and maternal attachment. This is a randomized controlled study with an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group included 40 women receiving continuous intrapartum supportive care and the control group included 40 women receiving routine care. Thirty women in the intervention group and 29 women in the control group completed the study. No significant differences were detected between the two groups at baseline (p > .05). Continuous intrapartum supportive care significantly decreased fear of birth and birth trauma, and significantly increased perceived intrapartum control and support and postpartum maternal attachment (p < .01). Results from this evidence-based study suggest that continuous intrapartum supportive care could protect and maintain perinatal mental health.

KEYWORDS:

• Birth trauma
• fear of birth
• intrapartum supportive care
• maternal attachment
• maternal mental health

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the valuable women who gave childbirth.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Study conception and design: Gözde GÖKÇE İSBİR, Hüsne Gül KAHRAMAN

Data collection: Hüsne Gül KAHRAMAN

Data analysis and interpretation: Gözde GÖKÇE İSBİR, Hüsne Gül KAHRAMAN

Drafting of the article: Gözde GÖKÇE İSBİR, Hüsne Gül KAHRAMAN

Critical revision of the article: Gözde GÖKÇE İSBİR

Additional information

Funding

Neither the research nor the preparation of the article was financially supported.