The effect of empathic communication-based training on women's positive birth perception, awareness, and birth...

Empathic communication during childbirth can improve women's birth perception and reduce fear and trauma, yet evidence on its effects across diverse populations is limited. This study addresses this gap by examining its impact on primiparous women's psychological outcomes, providing evidence to support holistic maternity care.Thus, this randomized controlled trial examined the effect of empathic communication-based training on women's awareness, positive perception of birth, and overall birth experience.

Between June 2023 and September 2024, 72 pregnant women attending the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics of Kahramanmaraş Necip Fazıl City Hospital, Turkey, were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention, an empathic communication-based training, was developed and delivered by the researchers. The study included three stages: development of the Positive Birth Perception and Awareness Scale (PBPAS), creation of the Empathic Communication-Based Positive Birth Guide, and assessment of group differences. Data were collected using the Prenatal Demographic Form, PBPAS, and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire-A (WDEQ-A). Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and independent and paired t-tests, with results reported alongside 95% confidence intervals.

The PBPAS demonstrated high reliability. In the intervention group, PBPAS scores increased significantly from 68.24 ± 7.12 to 85.36 ± 6.48 (p < 0.001), while the control group showed no significant change (69.12 ± 8.03 to 71.45 ± 7.89, p = 0.08). WDEQ-A scores decreased significantly in the intervention group (80.45 ± 9.32 to 65.88 ± 10.12, p < 0.001) and increased in the control group (74.16 ± 8.54 to 79.88 ± 12.24, p = 0.02).

Empathic communication improves primiparous women's psychological outcomes and birth experiences. Future studies should assess its long-term effects, and healthcare systems should integrate empathic communication training to support holistic maternity care.