A preliminary study on the efficacy of Head Trash Clearance in reducing perinatal anxiety and depression.

There is an increased prevalence of tokophobia and fear of childbirth (FOC) reported within current research. However, studies on the efficacy of tokophobia and FOC specific interventions are limited, let alone those in online settings. The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Fearless Birthing Programme, an online intervention which aims to specifically reduce levels of pregnancy and childbirth anxiety using the Head Trash Clearance method. Over the course of three months in trimester two, pregnant participants completed a series of questionnaires on perinatal anxiety and depression; at some point during those three months, access to the Fearless Birthing Programme was also provided, with the aim of measuring changes in anxiety and depression as a consequence of programme access. Analyses suggested that there were only marginal reductions in anxiety and depression over time, regardless of when programme access was granted. However, participants enjoyed the programme and found it as useful as other pregnancy and birth preparation activities they were part of. A discussion of the challenges faced when conducting perinatal mental health intervention research is provided, and it is argued that research into factors affecting attrition rates and self-discipline would be useful to the field as a whole. Further RCT research into the Head Trash Clearance Method as a general therapeutic tool would be of benefit.