Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Self-Management Intervention on Labor Outcome in Nulliparous Women

Background and purpose: Pregnancy creates permanent changes in life of women and brings new responsibilities which could lead to a great level of stress in women. Stress could result in some complications to mother and her neonate during delivery. This study aimed at determining the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based self-management intervention on labor outcome in nulliparous women. Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in 64 nulliparous women in Ahvaz, Iran 2016. The subjects were selected using purposive sampling and were assigned into two groups of case (n=32) and control (n=32). The intervention group attended eight sessions of CBT-based self-management programme in 28-32 weeks gestational age, while the control group received routine prenatal care. Demographic characteristics were recorded at the beginning of the study and variables of labor outcome (length of delivery, labor pain, infant’s Apgar score, the use of oxytocin for augmentation of labor pain, and satisfaction from delivery process) were recorded using a researcher-made questionnaire. Results: The mean values for pain intensity in the active phase of labor, length of active phase and second stage of labor, the use of oxytocin for augmentation of labor pain, neonatal Apgar score in 1 and 5 min were significantly different in case group compared with those in the control group (P0.05). Conclusion: According to current study, CBT-based self-management programme could improve labor outcome.