The Effectiveness of Counseling in Reducing Anxiety Among Nulliparous Pregnant Women

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of counseling in reducing anxiety of nulliparous pregnant women. Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 110 nulliparous pregnant women were selected out of all pregnant women referring to Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan, Iran. Then, the subjects were divided into two groups in experimental and control (55 women in each). The data were collected through a questionnaire covering demographic and obstetric characteristics and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The experimental group participated in four weekly sessions of group counseling about mother-infant attachment behaviors. Whereas, the control group only receive routine cares. Two groups were compared in terms of anxiety before and after the study. Results: Before the intervention, no significant difference in anxiety level was observed between the two groups; however, state and trait anxiety levels of pregnant women in the experimental group significantly decreased after the intervention (p < 0.001). There was also significant difference in the mean score of state and trait anxiety levels between the two groups after the intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results showed the effectiveness of prenatal counseling in reducing state and trait anxiety levels of pregnant women.