Effect of antenatal education on childbirth self-efficacy: A systematic-review and meta-analysis

Childbirth self-efficacy is useful measure for maternal well-being and a wide variety of improved perinatal outcomes. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to examine the effectiveness of antenatal education on childbirth self-efficacy level of pregnant women. The systematic searches were conducted in nine databases in July 2019. The PRISMA checklist was used. The quality of studies was evaluated by two researchers. The random-effect model was used in the present meta-analysis. The heterogeneity tests, moderator and sensitivity analyses were performed. There were eligible seven articles. Antenatal education had a large, positive effect on outcome expectancy (Effect size = 3.817, 95% CI 1.71 to 5.93, p = .000) and efficacy expectancy (Effect size = 3.520, 95% CI 1.67 to 5.37, p = .000). Substantial evidence suggested high heterogeneity. Antenatal education is effective in promoting women’s belief in themselves about not only ability of coping with birth, but also desired outcome of coping behavior which is effective in achieving a positive birth experience. Health professionals should provide antenatal education to promote women’s belief about their behavior during the birth process. There are need further studies by considering suggestions of the present study.