Constructivist prenatal education to reduce childbirth fear and boost confidence
The Effect of a Constructivist-Based Prenatal Education Program on Pregnant Women's Fear of Childbirth, Pain Beliefs, and Self-Efficacy for Normal Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
This program will try a constructivist-based prenatal education to see if it reduces fear of childbirth, changes pain beliefs, and increases confidence in normal birth for first-time pregnant women.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 126 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Selcuk University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Konya) |
| Trial ID | NCT07268027 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will enroll 126 primiparous women at Konya City Hospital's prenatal school between December 2025 and May 2026. Participants will be randomized to receive a constructivist-based prenatal education program delivered across three days or to receive the hospital's standard prenatal care and education. Data will be collected using a personal information form and the Fear of Childbirth Scale, Pain Beliefs Scale, and Self-Efficacy for Normal Birth Scale before and after the intervention. The trial will compare changes between the intervention and control groups to determine whether the constructivist program improves beliefs about pain, reduces childbirth fear, and increases self-efficacy for normal delivery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Turkish-speaking, primiparous women aged 18 or older with a low-risk singleton pregnancy between 20 and 32 weeks who are registered in the hospital's prenatal school and can attend the three-day training.
Not a fit: Women with multiple pregnancies, prior births, pregnancy complications, conception via assisted reproduction, active psychiatric diagnoses, or who cannot attend in-person Turkish-language sessions are unlikely to benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the program could lower childbirth fear, correct unhelpful pain beliefs, and increase confidence in achieving a normal vaginal birth.
How similar studies have performed: Prior prenatal education and cognitive/constructivist-type interventions have shown mixed but often positive effects on reducing fear of childbirth and improving self-efficacy, so this trial builds on partially supportive evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Registered in the hospital's prenatal school and actively participating in the 3-day training sessions, * Aged 18 years or older, * Between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation, * Having a singleton and low-risk pregnancy, * Primiparous (expecting their first birth), * Voluntarily agreeing to participate by signing the written informed consent form, * Able to read, understand, and communicate in Turkish. Exclusion Criteria: * Those who have previously given birth vaginally or by cesarean section (multiparous women), * Those with multiple pregnancies, * Those who conceived through assisted reproductive techniques, * Those diagnosed with serious obstetric or medical complications during pregnancy (such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or risk of preterm birth), * Those with a history of psychiatric diagnosis or currently receiving psychiatric treatment, * Foreign nationals.
Where this trial is running
Konya
- Seyhan Çankaya — Konya, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Seyhan Çankaya, PhD
- Email: seyhane32@gmail.com
- Phone: 05054300733
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.