Effects of Guided Antenatal Education Support Programs on Postnatal Depression, Social Support, and Life Satisfaction among First-time Mothers in Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: First-time mothers may experience postnatal depression and a lack of social support, affecting their life satisfaction. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the application of guided antenatal education support programs to deal with such issues.Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of guided antenatal education support programs on postnatal depression, social support, and life satisfaction among first-time mothers.Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved a total of 72 first-time mothers. Convenience sampling was applied for participant selection, and no randomization was used. The participants were equally divided into the intervention group and the control group. A self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection during the antenatal period (pretest) and six weeks postpartum (posttest). The risk of postnatal depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). In addition, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to assess social support, and life satisfaction, respectively. The intervention group received a guided antenatal education support program, consisting of antenatal education sessions plus an extra 15-minute discussion and a support guidebook. The data were analyzed using a paired t-test and an independent t-test.Results: There was a significant reduction in the risk of postnatal depression score in the intervention group (p<0.05) after receiving the guided antenatal education compared to the control group. Also, there was a significant increment of life satisfaction score (p<0.05) and social support score (p<0.05) after receiving guided antenatal education in the intervention group.Conclusion: The guided antenatal education support is beneficial to reduce postnatal depression and increase life satisfaction and social support. Nurses and midwives should provide an integration of psychoeducation for first-time mothers, especially during pregnancy.

The effect of prenatal education on fear of childbirth, pain intensity during labour and childbirth experience: a scoping review using systematic approach and meta-analysis

“…Overall, 3242 studies were examined, of which 3216 did not meet the inclusion criteria and were excluded. Finally, 26 studies were reviewed, of which 18 trials [ 12 , 22 , 27 , 28 , 37 – 50 ] were included in the final analysis, which one of them was PhD thesis [ 46 ], and the remaining eight trials [ 51 – 58 ] were excluded due to the lack of inclusion criteria.…”

“…The reasons for excluding seven studies from the review were as follows: three studies had provided the same prenatal education to the intervention and the control groups [ 51 , 52 , 58 ], one study was designed as a single-group study before and after the intervention [ 54 ], one paper’s full text was out of our reach [ 53 ], two paper had used interventions different from those intended in the present study [ 55 , 56 ], and one paper was in the Indonesian language [ 57 ] (Table 2 ).…”

Factors associated with levels of anxiety in postpartum women hospitalized in an obstetrics service

“…O nascimento de um filho não é apenas um acontecimento significativo para os casais, mas também preocupa toda a família. As primíparas podem ter um sentimento de incompetência no seu papel materno e necessitar de orientação e apoio para se adaptarem 18 .…”

“…Quando as puérperas identificam lacunas no suporte assistencial elas reforçam a importância e a necessidade de orientação e de apoio dos profissionais de saúde. Este apoio é mais evidente nos primeiros dias pós-parto, em que surgem mais dúvidas e dificuldades 18,21 .…”

“…Assim, constata-se que o apoio social, nomeadamente da família, dos amigos e dos profissionais de saúde, reduz os níveis de ansiedade das mulheres no pós-parto, facilita a transição para a maternidade e pode ajudar a aumentar a competência dos pais durante o período de transição de papéis 18 .…”