Tocophobia
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this project To study the efficacy of Internet-based guided self-help program of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (ICBT) compared to traditional individual live CBT in a group of women with severe fear of childbirth (S-FOC). The treatment groups are compared with a control group receiving individual support at their antenatal clinics.
Detailed description
In Sweden, every year, about 6000 pregnant women suffer from severe FOC with consequences for the women's psychological health before, during and after birth, the way they manage the childbirth, and for their postpartum mother-child interaction. In this project we want to examine the effect of CBT on SFOC given in two different ways. We compare these results with a group receiving support given traditionally on the clinics. But also a group without S-FOC. In case there is a significant effect of CBT, that is comparable given live as well as ICBT, we should have developed an adequate way of treatment that could be implemented in ordinary health care. Hypothesis: S-FOC decreases in same extent (30 units on the W-DEQ) in both of the treatment groups. The group with S-FOC,that gets treatment as usual is consuming more healthcare than the groups receiving therapy. One hundred and twenty pregnant women with severe fear of childbirth (S-FOC) according to their sum score on the Wijma Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ vers. A) ≥85, and 40 women without S-FOC (W-DEQ \<85) are recruited at 7 participating clinics in Sweden. In a first baseline measuring phase 40 women with S-FOC and 40 women without S-FOC are followed as control groups, receiving, if necessary, treatment according to the local routine. In the intervention part of the study 80 women with S-FOC are randomized either into ICBT or live CBT. 1. ICBT is as effective as traditional live therapy. 2. ICBT is as efficient as traditional live therapy . 3. The effect will remain after the childbirth The successful therapy leads to * less fear after childbirth * less traumatic events during delivery * less cesareans or instrumental deliveries * less postpartum depressions * less appointments in urgency during pregnancy * better Mother-child relation at 3 months * better self-estimated quality of life
Interventions
Therapist supported live therapy
Internetbased CBTwith limited therapist support
Sponsors
Linkoeping University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Pregnant women in 16-30weeks of pregnancy at time for enrolment * Able to read and write Swedish language * having the possibility to use the internet during the therapy.
Exclusion criteria
* Suicidal, psychotic or schizophrenic symptoms. * Not motivated to work with their fear. * Ongoing psychological therapy because of fear of childbirth * Non Swedish- speaking women
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level of fear of childbirth | Change baseline to after 8 weeks of treatment | self rating with: Wijma Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire version A (W-DEQ vers. A) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level of trauma | Change from baseline to 3 months after delivery | self rating with: Traumatic Event Scale (TES) |
| Level of anxiety and depression | Change from baseline to 3 months after delivery | self rating with: Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mother-child interaction postpartum | 3 months after delivery | Self-estimated with MAMA |
| Number of women delivered vaginally | 3 months after delivery | Number of women delivered vaginally Influence of fear of childbirth on mother-child interaction ( self rating with MAMA) Self estimated quality of life EQ5D |
| Self-estimated quality of life | 3 moths after delivery | Self-estimated with EQ5D |
| Appointments | 3 months after delivery | Appointments during pregnancy at Obstetrical department |
| Sick leave | 3 months after delivery | Number of women at Sick leave during pregnancy |
Countries
Sweden
Outcome results
None listed