THE EFFECT OF REMOTE MIDWIFERY-CENTERED CARE THROUGH A SMARTPHONE APPLICATION ON THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILDBIRTH FEAR IN PRIMIPAROUS WOMEN: A CLINICAL TRIAL STUDY

Fear of the pain associated with natural childbirth has long been considered a significant factor influencing the preference for cesarean section. This study aimed to determine the effect of remote midwifery-centered care through a smartphone application on the management of fear of childbirth (FOC) in primiparous women.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 pregnant women referred to Baharloo Hospital in Tehran in 2019. The intervention group received tele-smartphone-based care, while the control group received routine prenatal care. The fear of childbirth was explored using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire, which had two versions (A and B) and assessed fear before and after childbirth, respectively. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 25, which involved descriptive and inferential statistics, including a repeated measures analysis of variance test.

There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding demographic characteristics (P >0.05). The mean score of fear of childbirth in the intervention group was significantly different from the control group in all periods after the intervention. (P = 0.001).

Remote care can have a positive effect on the fear of childbirth. Therefore, it can be considered as an alternative care during pregnancy.