Effectiveness of solution-focused counseling therapy on pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth: A randomized clinical trial

Background & Aim: Fear of childbirth and pregnancy anxiety may affect the desire for normal delivery. No study has investigated the effectiveness of solution-focused counseling on either pregnancy anxiety or all factors comprising fear of childbirth. We aimed to investigate the effects of solution-focused counseling in reducing pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth. Methods & Materials: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 132 nulliparous women in 2019. Participants with moderate to a severe fear of childbirth were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in five solution-focused counseling sessions. Before and after the intervention, women filled the anxiety scale for pregnancy and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ). Data were analyzed using t-test, paired t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The two groups did not differ in terms of demographic and obstetric variables and pregnancy anxiety pre-test scores (P>0.05). The means of the post-test total scores and the means of scores for all five factors of the ASP were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p<0.001). The adjusted means of total scores and the adjusted means of scores for all six factors of the WDE-Q were significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The solution-focused counseling reduced pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth in women participating in counseling sessions compared to the controls. Solution-focused counseling therapy sessions should be held for women with pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth.