The Effect of Prenatal Education on Mother’s Quality of Life during First Year Postpartum among Iranian Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Antenatal educations provide information regarding pregnancy, birth, infant care and early parenthood. The purpose of this study was to determine effect of prenatal education on mother’s quality of life during first year after childbirth among Iranian women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blind randomized control trial study was performed on 160 first-time pregnant women; with a singleton fetus; aged 18 to 35; without history of medical, psychological, and infertility diseases; as well as with at least eight prenatal visits during pregnancy. Participants were invited into two groups of intervention (n=80) and control (n=80). The antenatal education classes were consisted of eight sessions, and then, mother’s quality of life was evaluated during first year after childbirth. Data was analyzed using t test, chi-square, and Mann-Withney. RESULTS: The interventional group demonstrated higher scores of quality of life domains than the control group (p<0.05). The interventional group (at one year postpartum) demonstrated significantly higher scores for quality of life in the physical health, psychological health, and environmental health domains compared to the control group. In addition, the interventional group showed a significant increase in the mean scores for the domains of physical, psychological, and environmental health from 6-8 weeks to 1 year postpartum. CONCLUSION: The study showed that women receiving prenatal education had higher level of happiness and satisfaction in their overall quality of life and health, respectively (Registration Number: IRCT201101115571N2).