Effect Of Psychoeducational Intervention For Reducing Childbirth Fear Among Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Childbirth fear can affect maternal mental health and the outcome of their pregnancies. 
The effectiveness of psycho-educational approach remains uncertain due to inconsistent research results. 
Aim: This review assessed the effectiveness of psycho-educational intervention in reducing childbirth fear among pregnant women compared to usual antenatal care. 
Methods: The research question was structured using the PICO format focusing on how midwife led psycho-education compares to routine antenatal care in reducing childbirth fear in pregnant women. The review searched three databases (PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO essential) for studies published between 1980 and 2024 that included controlled trials. The process followed the PRISMA guidelines.
Results: Out of a total of 16,756 articles, four involving 514 pregnant women were included. Data analysis showed that psycho-educational interventions had no significant impact on reducing fear of childbirth (Standardized Mean Difference of -1.00 and a 95% confidence interval ranging from -2.06 to 0.05, p = 0.060). There was significant heterogeneity among the included studies (I2 = 89%, p < 0.001). 
Conclusion: Existing evidence did not support the idea that psycho-education can reduce childbirth fear at a larger or global scale.  Additional research is needed to standardize the components of psycho-educational intervention to reduce implementation heterogeneity.