Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Counseling Therapy on Pregnancy Anxiety and Fear of Childbirth: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Background & Aim: Fear of childbirth and pregnancy anxiety may affect the desire for normal delivery. No study has investigated the effectiveness of solution-focused counseling on either pregnancy anxiety or all factors comprising fear of childbirth. We aimed to investigate the effects of solution-focused counseling in reducing pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth.Methods and materials: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 121 nulliparous women in 2019. Participants with moderate to severe fear of childbirth were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in five solution-focused counseling sessions. Before and after the intervention, women filled the anxiety scale for pregnancy (ASP) and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ). Data were analysed using t-test, paired t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).Results: The two groups did not differ in terms of demographic and obstetric variables and pregnancy anxiety pretest scores (P>0.05). The means of the posttest total scores and the means of scores for all five factors of the ASP were significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (p<0.001). The adjusted means of total scores and the adjusted means of scores for all six factors of the WDE-Q were significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (p<0.001).Conclusions: The solution-focused counseling reduced pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth in women participating in counseling sessions in comparison with the controls. Solution-focused counseling therapy sessions should be held for women with pregnancy anxiety and fear of childbirth.