Effects of online antenatal education on worries about labour, fear of childbirth, preparedness for labour and fear of covid-19 during the covid-19 pandemic: A single-blind randomised controlled study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of online antenatal education on worries about labour, fear of childbirth, preparedness for labour and fear of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A single-blind randomised controlled trial comparing two groups: an antenatal education group and a control group. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 44 pregnant women. MEASUREMENTS: A demographic data form, The Oxford Worries on Labour Scale, The Fear of Birth Scale, The Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used for data collection. FINDINGS: Online antenatal education decreased worries about labour, fear of childbirth and fear of COVID-19 and improved preparedness for labour. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Online antenatal education offered during the COVID-19 pandemic is effective in preparedness for labour. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As an alternative, online antenatal education should be offered to pregnant women unable to attend face to face education programs due to fear of transmission of infection.