Effects of a labour and delivery simulated practice programme for elderly primigravidas.
Chun Hee Seong, Kyung Min Park, Kyoung Ja Moon
PMID 32257265WHAT IT FOUND
Older first-time mothers who took part in a five-week labour programme reported less anxiety and stress, knew more and felt more confident.
Their vaginal labours were shorter than controls, but birth experience scores did not differ.
Key findings
01After the programme, the intervention group had significantly lower anxiety and pregnancy-related stress than the control group.
02After the programme, the intervention group had significantly higher labour knowledge and confidence than the control group.
03Among women with vaginal delivery, the intervention group had significantly shorter labour duration, while perception of labour did not differ between groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used a non-equivalent control group, and the paper does not describe random allocation. The intervention group was recruited through a social network service café, while the control group came from the same maternity hospital. Only 49 participants were analysed, and only 31 participants completed the postdelivery survey, so the delivery outcome findings rest on a smaller group. Anxiety, stress, knowledge, confidence and labour duration were reported by the women, and labour duration was based on the time between first pain and delivery as recalled by the woman. The authors state that the data collection and experiments are outdated. The programme included many components, such as simulated sessions, peer support, debriefing, text messages, a booklet, posters, dimmed light and music, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that simulated practice alone improved labour outcomes. The programme included five sessions covering relaxation, breathing, hyperventilation response, straining and postnatal care, plus peer support, debriefing, twice-weekly text messages, a booklet, posters, dimmed light and music, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. Do not conclude that the programme improved birth experience, because perception of labour did not differ between groups. The study also used a non-equivalent control group.