The effect of psychoeducation program applied to pregnant women with traumatic birth perception on maternal attachment, breastfeeding, and postpartum depression level

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a psychoeducation program applied during the prenatal period on traumatic birth perception, maternal attachment, breastfeeding, and postpartum depression in pregnant women with a traumatic perception of childbirth. Method: This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital, in the Prenatal Clinic, between April 2023 and May 2024. The research was carried out with 80 pregnant women, consisting of 40 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group. The data were collected using the "Demographic Information Form, Traumatic Birth Perception Scale (TBPS), Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS), Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (BSES-SF), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)." Data collection forms were applied to both groups during the 22-32 weeks of pregnancy, 26-36 weeks of pregnancy, and at the 8th week postpartum. In addition to routine care, the pregnant women in the experimental group were provided with a total of 5 group psychoeducation sessions, consisting each 50 minutes long, with a one-week interval. Pregnant women in the control group only completed the data collection forms, and routine prenatal follow-ups continued. Results: The sociodemographic characteristics of the participants in both the experimental and control groups, as well as their pregnancy and birth-related characteristics, were similar (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in the pre-education scores on the Traumatic Birth Perception Scale (TBPS) (p>0.05). After the psychoeducation, the scores obtained by the pregnant women in the experimental group on the "Traumatic Birth Perception Scale" in the second and final evaluations were found to be significantly lower at a statistical level (p=0.001; p<0.01). The scores obtained by the women in the experimental group on the 'Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS)were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of the control group (p=0.001; p<0.01). It was determined that the pregnant women in the experimental group experienced fewer attachment issues compared to the control group." The total scores obtained by the women in the experimental group on the "Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale" were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of the control group (p=0.045; p<0.05). Conclusion: The psychoeducation program applied to pregnant women with a traumatic birth perception was found to reduce traumatic birth perception, strengthen mother-infant attachment, increase breastfeeding self-efficacy, and decrease the risk of postpartum depression.