Meditation in Early Labor: Impact on Self-Efficacy and Childbirth Fear in First-Time Mothers

NCT07201220 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2022.03.06/123
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Aim-Introduction: The feeling of uncertainty about what will happen during labor, and the mother's perception of inadequacy regarding childbirth, can lead to anxiety and stress in some pregnant women, resulting in fear of childbirth and avoidance behaviors. This study was conducted to examine whether there are significant differences in childbirth self-efficacy and fear of childbirth between primiparous pregnant women who practiced meditation and those who did not during the first stage of labor. Materials and Methods: This experimental study is planned to be conducted between 01.04.2025 and 01.08.2025 with a total of 60 pregnant women (30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group) who applied to the delivery unit of a tertiary hospital in Turkey and were in the first stage of labor. After informing the pregnant women about the study and the procedures to be implemented, written informed consent was obtained from those who agreed to participate. Subsequently, the pre-tests of the relevant scales and the data collection form were administered. The relaxation meditation during childbirth was applied to the experimental group, followed by the post-tests of the same scales. Data were collected using the "Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory Short Form" and the "Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) Version A." Descriptive statistics and hypothesis tests will be used for data analysis.

Conditions

Meditation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in perceived childbirth self-efficacy measured by the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory Short Form (CBSEI-SF)

  Perceived childbirth self-efficacy is assessed using the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory Short Form (CBSEI-SF). The scale is administered during the active phase of the first stage of labor (before the intervention), and re-administered 1 hour after relaxation meditation. Change in scores indicates the effect of the intervention on participants' self-efficacy levels.

  From the beginning of the active phase of the first stage of labor to 1 hour after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in fear of childbirth measured by the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A (W-DEQ Version A)

  From the beginning of the active phase of the first stage of labor to 1 hour after the intervention

Study Arms (1)

A Randomized Controlled Experimental Study

EXPERIMENTAL

Experimental Group: 30 primiparous women in the first stage of labor receive relaxation meditation during labor. Pre- and post-tests using the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory Short Form and W-DEQ Version A are applied. Data collected between 01.04.2025 and 01.08.2025 at a tertiary hospital in Turkey. Control Group: 30 primiparous women in the first stage of labor receive standard care without intervention. The same pre- and post-tests are applied. Data collected in the same period and setting.

Behavioral: meditation

Interventions

meditation BEHAVIORAL

The study is planned to include 60 pregnant women (30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group) in the first stage of labor. After informing the participants about the study and obtaining informed consent, pre-test scales will be administered. Relaxation meditation will be applied during labor for the experimental group, followed by post-test scales.

A Randomized Controlled Experimental Study

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: pregnant women
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Primiparous pregnant women
• In the first stage of labor
• Singleton pregnancy
• Aged 18 and above
• Able to provide informed consent
• No high-risk pregnancy or psychiatric diagnosis

You may not qualify if:

• Multiparous women
• High-risk pregnancy
• Previous experience with meditation during labor
• Communication difficulties

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Seyhan District Health Directorate, Adana: lead

Study Sites (2)

Seyhan İlçe Sağlık Müdürlüğü

Adana, Adana, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Seyhan İlçe Sağlık Müdürlüğü

Seyhan, Adana, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Meditation

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Spiritual Therapies; Relaxation Therapy; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PHD Midwife

Model Details: After informing the pregnant women about the study and the procedures to be implemented, informed consent will be obtained from those who agree to participate. Following this, participants will complete the data collection form, and pre-test questionnaires will be administered. Subsequently, relaxation meditation will be played via headphones during labor, and the questionnaires will be applied again as post-tests.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 9, 2025
• First Posted: October 1, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2025
• Study Completion: October 31, 2025
• Last Updated: October 1, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

TU (2)