The Effect of Podcast Training on Birth Fear in Couples
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: podcast training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Pregnancy, Birth Fear. Basic parameters: 19 years — 35 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
The Effect of Podcast Training on Birth Fear in Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
Birth fear refers to intense feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry regarding the childbirth process, often arising from concerns about physical pain, complications, or uncertainty about the baby's health. Many women experience this fear during pregnancy, which, in some cases, may develop into a clinical condition known as tokophobia . Birth fear can increase stress levels, disrupting the mother's hormonal balance, which may prolong labor, increase the risk of complications, and negatively impact fetal development. Additionally, it can lead to issues such as loss of self-confidence, anxiety, and depression in the mother, while causing communication problems and lack of support between partners. Birth fear affects not only the labor process but also the postpartum period, potentially leading to postpartum depression, trauma, and difficulties in mother-infant bonding. All these factors can adversely impact the psychosocial well-being of both women and couples. Therefore, it is crucial to develop interventions aimed at recognizing and reducing birth fear.
Detailed description
Podcasts, with their accessibility, low cost, and user-friendly structure, allow individuals to access health-related information more easily and personalize the educational process, making it more effective. These factors make podcasts a valuable tool, especially in areas that require emotional and cognitive intervention, such as birth fear. While birth fear is a significant psychological factor influencing the anxiety of women and their partners regarding the childbirth process, there are limited intervention-focused studies targeting couples in this area. Although various methods have been proposed in the literature to reduce birth fear, data on the effectiveness of digital educational tools like podcasts in this domain is insufficient. This research aims to fill an important gap by evaluating the effect of a podcast series on birth fear in couples. The purpose of this study is to examine how a podcast series focused on birth fear impacts birth fear, anxiety, and postpartum depression in couples.
Interventions
- Behavioral podcast training
In accordance with the established training program for participants, a four-phase podcast listening process aimed at reducing birth fear will be implemented. The first podcast will be launched at the 33rd week of pregnancy, with the goal of helping participants gain information about the childbirth process and reduce their anxiety. Following that, a second podcast will be played at the 34th week of pregnancy, focusing on supporting psychological preparation for childbirth. The third podcast, to
Primary outcome measures
- Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ) [Time frame: 8 month]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale: [Time frame: 8 month]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
19-35 years old married primiparous 2nd trimester pregnant women
Exclusion criteria
Pregnant women with risky pregnancies illiteracy problems with internet access visual and hearing impairment
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Ağrı Training and Research Hospital — Ağrı
Publications
- Cai F, McCabe M, Srinivas SK. A randomized trial assessing the impact of educational podcasts on personal control and satisfaction during childbirth. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 May;228(5):592.e1-592.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.01.021. Epub 2023 Feb 13. PMID 36791987
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06929975 · 2025/160