Childbirth self-efficacy and birth related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: An online childbirth education randomised controlled trial for mothers

INTERVENTION: Participants were recruited between May 2021 and July 2021 on dedicated Facebook and Instagram pages titled “Birthing in Australia”. Participants were invited to participate in a four‐stage study about pregnancy, birth and early parenting. The information statement outlined the activity and commitment for each group and advised that they would be randomised into one of the three groups. At the end of the first survey (i.e., Time 1) each participant was randomly allocated into one of the three groups using Qualtrics random allocation. The online course group (intervention) were asked to complete the online version of a psychoprophylactic centered birthing course designed by She Births®. She Births® is an Australian designed course that has previously be shown to reduce interventions such as caesareans and epidurals during birth. The course focuses on birth as a natural physiological process using active birthing strategies, including, yoga, massage, acupressure, breathing, and relaxation techniques to manage pain and facilitate labour progression. It covers four modules: 1): Learning to trust the body; 2): Discovering practical tools; 3) Labour stages and strategies; and 4) Breastfeeding and early parenting, which involve interactive activities, reading material and videos.. The course is self paced with a around 10 hours of content or approximately one hour per week for 12 weeks. Details can be found about the course at shebirths.com. CONDITION: Birth related posttraumatic stress disorder;Public Health; ; Birth related posttraumatic stress disorder ; Public Health Mental Health ‐ Other mental health disorders Public Health ‐ Health promotion/education Reproductive Health and Childbirth ‐ Childbirth and postnatal care PRIMARY OUTCOME: Childbirth self‐efficacy[Childbirth self‐efficacy inventory ‐ short form 12‐23 weeks pregnant ‐ once during this period; 36 weeks pregnant ‐ once] Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms[Impact of events scale ‐ revised 6 weeks postnatal ‐ primary timepoint; 6 months postnatal] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Mother‐infant bonding[Postpartum bonding Questionnaire 6 weeks postnatal ; 6 months postnatal] Perinatal depression[Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale 12‐23 weeks pregnant ‐ once during this time period ; 36 weeks pregnant ; 6 weeks postnatal ; 6 months postnatal] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants were required to be aged 18 or over, English speaking, residing in Australian with a low‐risk pregnancy (between 12 to 23 weeks pregnant) and planning a vaginal birth.