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Background & Aim: Exercise is an integral component of physical and mental health. Attention to exercise in women, regarding their physiologic situation is essential. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a specific aerobic exercise program on fetal growth in pregnant women.
Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial, 39 pregnant women in 24-32 weeks of gestation were enrolled. The participants were randomly allocated to experimental (n=18) and control (n=21) groups. Women with single pregnancies and intact amniotic membranes were included. Women who had any contraindications for exercise were excluded from the study. Exercise program included stretching and flexibility exercise and aerobic exercise (constant walking for 30-45 minuets) three days a week for eight weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, c², t-test, Kolmogro-smirnov and repeated measurements. P<0.05 was considered to be significant.
Results: The results showed a 1.37% increase in the newborns&apos weight in the intervention group however, the difference was not statistically significant. The average of head circumference and newborns&apos length in the intervention group&aposs newborns were 0.21cm and 0.09cm more than the control group&aposs newborns, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant too (P>0.05).
Conclusion: There were no reductions in the growth of the fetuses following the exercise activities. This kind of exercise has no adverse effect on fetal growth.

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Background & Objective: Appropriate physical activity help to promote women&aposs health during pregnancy. Providing appropriate educational programs for pregnant women seems to be necessary. This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a group educational program on pregnant women&aposs physical activity.

Methods & Materials: This clinical trial was conducted among 280 nulliparous women. The participants were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. Women in the experimental group participated in eight 90-minute group-based educational classes. Those in the control group received routine care. Data were collected at baseline and at the end of the educational program. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test and the t-test in the SPSS.

Results: There were no statistical differences on age, body mass index, education level, employment status, and physical activity between the two groups at baseline. The physical activity score was more in the experiment group (37.38±14.89) in compare with the control group (13.7±11.12) after the intervention (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The group-based educational program seems to promote physical activity during pregnancy. These kinds of programs should be implemented in prenatal clinics.

 

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Background & Aim: Preterm birth is the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity so, prevention of preterm labor is a priority in health care. This study aimed to determine relationship between house works with preterm labor.

Methods & Materials: In this case-control study, 150 term pregnant women (control group) and 150 preterm pregnant women (case group) delivered in Izadi hospital in Qom were selected in 2008-2009. The data were collected using the "physical activity in pregnancy" scale. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, t-test, and logistic regression. The P-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant level and the adjusted OR was reported for all variables. We used the SPSS- 16 for analyzing the data.

Results: According to the findings, there was no significant relationship between house work regarding duration and severity of activity in pregnancy with preterm labor.

Conclusion: There was no relationship between house work in pregnancy and preterm labor. Further studies are recommended.

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Background & Aim: Pregnancy can conflict with sexual function that can be affected by physical and psychological changes during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare sexual functions between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women referred to health centers in Eastern district of Guilan.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Guilan during 2009-2010. We used convenient sampling method to select 554 pregnant women. Data were gathered using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, sexual function and fear of harm to fetus. The SPSS-16 was used to analyze the data by the Mann-Whitney U and Generalized linear models. The level of significance was set at 5%.

Results: There was no significant difference between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women regarding sexual function in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy (P=0.353, P=0.251). There were significant differences between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women regarding sexual desire (P=0.002), arousal (P=0.01), orgasm (P=0.01), pain (P=0.02) and sexual function total score (P=0.016). There was significant difference between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women regarding sexual function (P=0.008).

Conclusion: Sexual counseling and rehabilitation programs should be compiled as part of the comprehensive care of prenatal care especially for multiparous pregnant women.

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  Background & Aim: There is little information regarding relationship between maternal dietary pattern and infant anthropometric parameters at birth. This study was carried out to determine relationship between dietary patterns in pregnancy with infants' anthropometric parameters .

  Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 94 pregnant women (GA: 37-40 weeks) referred to Ahvaz Razi hospital were selected. Anthropometric parameters were measured. The dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Statistical analysis was done in the SPSS. 

  Results: In this study, three major dietary patterns including "healthy", "traditional" and "western" dietary patterns were identified. After adjusting of confounders (age, physical activity, energy intake, pregnancy weight gain and infant sex), the relationship between dietary patterns with birth weight, height and head circumference were exhibited in three models. The relationship between healthy dietary pattern and infant weight, height and head circumference at birth was significantly positive in all models (P<0.05). Western dietary pattern had significant negative relationship with head circumference in the model 1 and 2. Moreover, it had negative relationship with birth weight in the model 1 (P<0.05). Traditional dietary pattern did not show any significant relationship with anthropometric parameters at birth.

  Conclusion: The present study found significant relationship between maternal dietary patterns with anthropometric parameters at birth. Further prospective studies are suggested to confirm the findings.

  

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  Background & Aim: One of the key factors affecting the physical and mental health of fetus is peace. According to Quran, this factor is a fundamental Principle in different fields of Islamic Ethics and law and it also affects all orders and Prohibitions. That’s because of conditions that are ordained during Pregnancy Period and of course it affects the benefits and losses of the Person in next Periods of growth. This study assessed the fundamental role of peace during pregnancy and fetal life from the perspective of the holy Quran and its priority to other functions of marriage .

  Methods & Materials: This study is a retrospective review which was performed by searching library sources and 15 relevant sources were found. The concept of peace in holy Quran can be followed by keywords such as, Assurance / Etminan (Raad/28), tranquility/ Sakineh ( Fath/24), inhabitancy / Sakana (Tobeh/103), Security / Amniyat (Thein/3), Permanency / Sobat( Forghan/47). In addition, Keywords such as, Health, Pregnancy, and Sprit were studied too . 

  Results: Meanwhile, the topic of marriage and finding a family (including matrimony, spousal time, pregnancy and reproduction) is a composition of religious orders and prohibitions. According to some studies based on the Quran's verses and his successor’s anecdote considerable results such as reproduction, correct sexual satisfactory, moral and psychological peace was achieved. Relaxation in pregnancy phase is very important and vital process for the embryonic formation particularly in view of his/her future corporeal and spiritual life. Such standpoint is firmly emphasized by Islamic orders due to healthy generation among the human being .

  Conclusion: Aquiring spiritual relaxation and developing it according to psychological guidelines and strategies of the holy Quran is necessary to achieve a peaceful and satisfactory condition during pregnancy and birth of a healthy and righteous child .

  

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Background & Aim: Violence during pregnancy affects both mother and fetus. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between physical, sexual and psychological violence during pregnancy and low birth weight in the world as a meta-analysis.

Methods & Materials: This study is a meta-analysis that was performed on articles published in Persian and English languages from the beginning of 1995 to the end of 2015. Articles were extracted by searching in the databases of Scopus, Medline, EMBASE, Pubmed, Web of Science, Google scholar, Science Direct, Irandoc, Magiran, Medlib, and SID using key words of violence during pregnancy, low birth weight, physical, sexual and psychological violence and their compounds. The results of studies were combined using a random effects model in the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of studies was evaluated using the I² index and meta-regression, and the data analysis was performed using STATA software v.11.2 and SPSS software v.16.

Results: Of 254 found articles, 16 relevant articles with the sample number of 117287 people were included in the study. The results of meta-analysis showed that physical OR:1.61 (CI95%:2.04–2.28), psychological OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) and sexual violence OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) during pregnancy, lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers.

Conclusion: Physical, psychological and sexual violence during pregnancy lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers. Therefore, maternal screening and counseling by trained general practitioners and professionals before and during pregnancy are recommended.

Background & Aim: Birth weight is one of the most important indicators for evaluating the community health status.Violence during pregnancy affects both mother and fetus and leads to irreversible consequences. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between physical, sexual and psychological violence during pregnancy and low birth weight in the world as a meta-analysis.

Methods & Materials: This study is a meta-analysis that was performed on articles published in Persian and English languages from the beginning of 1995 to the end of 2015. Articles were extracted by searching in the databases of Scopus, Medline, EMBASE, Pubmed, Web of Science, Google scholar, Science Direct, Irandoc, Magiran, Medlib, and SID using key words of violence during pregnancy, low birth weight, physical, sexual and psychological violence and their compounds. The results of studies were combined using a random effects model in the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of studies was evaluated using the I² index and meta-regression, and the data analysis was performed using STATA software v.11.2 and SPSS software v.16.

Results: Of 254 found articles, 16 relevant articles with the sample number of 117287 people were included in the study. The results of meta-analysis showed that physical OR:1.61 (CI95%:2.04–2.28), psychological OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) and sexual violence OR:1.26 (CI95%:1.02–1.56) during pregnancy, lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers.

Conclusion: Based on the results, physical, psychological and sexual violence during pregnancy lead to an increase in the rate of low birth weight infants in the exposed mothers. Therefore, the relevant authorities are recommended to identify at-risk mothers and control their exposure toviolenceby implementing educational and interventional programs, maternal screening and counseling by trained general practitioners and professionals before and during pregnancy.

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Background & Aim: Mothers during pregnancy face many concerns. Identifying mothers’ strategies to manage those concerns can help healthcare providers to promote their mental health. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant mothers’ strategies for the management of their concerns during pregnancy.

Methods & Materials: This qualitative study was conducted in Gorgan city during 2014-2015. The study participants were 20 pregnant women and three of their husbands as well as three experienced midwives who were selected using purposive sampling and interviewed through semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed through conventional content analysis using the MAXQDA software.

Results: Data analysis led to the emergence of five main categories including the utilization of purposive knowledge acquisition, reliance on the leverage of spirituality, thinking management and stress control, the effort to maintain and improve familial interactions and emotional preparation for pregnancy.

Conclusion: The five strategies used by pregnant women to manage their concerns, were identified in this study. Midwives can play an important role in implementing these strategies and empowering pregnant women.

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Background & Aim: In pregnancy following stillbirth, the parental relationship and attachment to the dead child are denied, and this can impair the mother’s attachment to the new child. The present study aimed to determine the effect of cognitive behavioral training on maternal-fetal attachment in subsequent pregnancy following stillbirth.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 100 pregnant women with the history of stillbirth, referred to health centers in Zahedan in 2017. Mothers were selected using convenience sampling and assigned into two groups of 50 each. Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire and the Cranley maternal-fetal attachment scale. After pre-test, the intervention group received 4 sessions of cognitive behavioral training during 4 weeks. After 8 weeks, the post-test was performed for two groups and data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square, Fisher's exact and ANCOVA tests through the SPSS software version 21.
Results: The mean score for maternal-fetal attachment was not significantly different in the baseline but was significantly higher in the intervention group (92.36±11.89) than in the control group (80.90±16.36) after the intervention (P<0.001). The adjustment for the pre-test score, optimism and visit numbers in ANCOVA the mean score for maternal-fetal attachment in the post-test were still significant (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the effect of cognitive behavioral training on the promotion of maternal-fetal attachment, it is recommended that this training be integrated into the care program for pregnant women with a history of stillbirth.
 

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Background & Aim: Waterpipe smoking during pregnancy is a health problem, and interventions must be designed for its cessation. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of motivational interviewing (MI) on self-efficacy to quit hookah smoking in pregnant women.
Methods & Materials: The randomized clinical trial was conducted on 140 pregnant women who smoked hookah and lived in the marginal settlements in Zahedan in 2017. The convenience samples were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Data were collected using demographic characteristics and self-efficacy to quit hookah smoking questionnaires. Participants in the intervention received four group sessions of MI, while those in the control only received usual recommendations for quitting hookah smoking. The post-test was performed eight weeks after the completion of the intervention. Independent t-test, paired t-test, Chi-square, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used for data analysis through the SPSS software version 21.
Results: The demographic characteristics and gestational age of women were comparable between two groups, but the duration of hookah consumption in the intervention was more than the control (P=0.008). While the mean score of self-efficacy of two groups in pre-test was alike, in the post-test the score of self-efficacy in the intervention (60.85±7.25) was higher than the control (22.77±3.79) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Given that MI approach has a positive effect on self-efficacy to quit hookah smoking, it is suggested that this counseling strategy is integrated into health care programs for pregnant women smoking hookah.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT201609240299954N5
 

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Background & Aim: Given the importance of the physical and mental health of pregnant women and the negative effects of worry on maternal and fetal health, identifying the factors affecting the reduction of worries is necessary. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine maternal worries and their relationship with coping strategies.
Methods & Materials: This analytical, cross-sectional study was performed on 465 pregnant women 14-40 weeks referred to health centres in Hamadan in 2015-2016. Data were collected using the obstetric and socio-demographic characteristics questionnaires, the Billings and Moos Coping Strategy and the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS). Descriptive and inferential statistics including Spearman correlation and One-way analysis of variance were used to determine relationship between worries and coping strategies. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean (SD) of worry score was 25.8 (15.1), with achievable scores of 0 to 80. Thus, 67.3% were not worried, 30.1% expressed a small amount of concern and 2.6% had a great deal of concern. The comparison of the total score of coping strategies and the two subscales of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies in the three groups indicated that only the emotion-focused strategy score was different in these groups (P<0.005).
Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that there is a direct correlation between maternal worries and use of emotion-focused strategy. Therefore, it is suggested that midwives help pregnant women to reduce worry by training coping strategies in order to increase the use of problem-focused strategy.
 

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Background & Aim: Pregnancy during adolescence is in conflict with the identity structures of adolescents, that can have a negative effect on maternal mental health, and especially cause stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of neonatal care education on perceived stress in adolescent mothers.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 116 adolescent pregnant women referred to Zahedan health centers in 2016. Samples were selected by the convenience sampling method and assigned into two groups of 58 people each. The pre-test was performed before the first session using demographic and perceived stress questionnaires. The intervention group received three educational sessions on neonatal care and stress reduction methods. Routine prenatal education was provided to the control group. A post-test was performed at 38 week of pregnancy and 30 days after delivery. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney, Monte Carlo and Fisher tests through the SPSS software version 21.
Results: Before the intervention, the stress score for the intervention group was higher than that for the control group (P=0.007), but the mean score of perceived stress for the intervention group significantly decreased at the 38th week of pregnancy and 30 days after delivery, compared to the control group. According to the Mann-Whitney test, the decrease was significant (P˂0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the effect of the neonatal care education on reducing stress in adolescent mothers, it is recommended that this type of educational intervention be integrated into care program for adolescent pregnant mothers.
 

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Background & Aim: The experience of domestic violence has negative consequences on the mental health of pregnant women, and interventions must be designed to reduce these negative consequences. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of supportive-educational intervention on psychological distress among pregnant women subjected to domestic violence.
Methods & Materials: This clinical trial was conducted on 100 pregnant women subjected to domestic violence, referred to comprehensive health centers of Zahedan for receiving prenatal care in 2018. Eligible women were selected by the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received four supportive-educational individual sessions during two weeks. The control group received routine care during this period. Data were collected in two groups by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and Hurts, Insults, Threaten, Screams (HITS), before the intervention and four weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed by statistical tests using the SPSS software version 21.
Results: The results showed that the mean score of psychological distress of pregnant women dropped from 30.9±4.58 to 22.18±3.81 (mean change score -8.72±3.93) in the intervention group and from 25.22±4.15 to 24.06±4.16 (mean change score -1.16±1.48) in the control group. Analysis of covariance demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of psychological distress of pregnant women exposed to violence between the two groups after the supportive-educational intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the supportive-educational intervention is effective in reducing psychological distress in pregnant women subjected to violence. Therefore, it is recommended to integrate supportive-educational interventions into prenatal care for pregnant women subjected to violence in order to improve fetal and maternal health.
 

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Background & Aim: Some women, throughout their life cycle, experience unintended pregnancy and had to decide on continuing or terminating it. Although the decision-making process always recurs, few studies have so far shed light on this complex, and context-based process. The aim of the present study was to explore Iranian women’s decision-making process to abort or continue an unintended pregnancy.
Methods & Materials: This was a qualitative study using grounded theory approach. Data were collected through unstructured, in-depth interviews with 29 participants in Tabriz from March 2016 to May 2017. The participants were selected through the purposeful sampling method and data collection were continued until reaching data saturation. Data analysis was carried out concurrently with the data collection, using the MAXQDA software version 10.
Results: Data analysis gave rise to four axial categories: “perceived threats”, “resistance mixed with indecision”, “values and supportive resources”, as well as “acceptance and confirmation of decision”. This means that the decision-making process among women with unintended pregnancy initially starts with a perceived threat as a main concern leading to their resistance towards accepting such a pregnancy, then exposure to threats arising from abortion can cause indecision and uncertainty in practicing abortion. In this respect, given the social support, women affected by religious values make efforts to choose the procedure with the least harm and threats and maximum acceptability and confirmability. “Confirmation of decision” is as well the outcome of the interactive process of decision-making.
Conclusion: What can differentiate the theory of decision-making on abortion or continuation of an unintended pregnancy from the general theories of decision-making is its sociocultural confirmability. Social acceptance of abortion and childbearing in line with moral evaluation of fetal development directs the confirmability process of decision-making about unintended pregnancy.
 

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Background & Aim: Tokophobia was introduced as a psychiatric disorder for the first time in 2000. The purpose of this study is to answer four questions: What is tokophobia and how does it occur? What is the global prevalence of tokophobia? What are the symptoms of tokophobia? and what are the strategies for the control and treatment of tokophobia?
Methods & Materials: This systematic review was conducted by searching articles in English and Persian published between January 2000 and January 2018 on international databases; PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and domestic databases; Magiran and SID, along with a manual search in resources.
Results: After reviewing 151 articles, finally 16 were included in the study. The results indicate that tokophobia is a severe and pathological fear of childbirth. In the categorization of psychiatric disorders, it is classified as a specific phobia based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4^th edition (DSM-IV). The etiology of tokophobia is multifactorial, and its prevalence in pregnant women was reported around 14 percent among 18 countries. The signs and symptoms of the disorder are insomnia, crying, restlessness, depression, anxiety and severe worry about childbirth. Psychological strategies, cognitive behavior therapy and medication have been proposed to reduce the fear of childbirth in women in different studies.
Conclusion: As a guide, these results can assist the healthcare team members to recognize and screen at-risk women as well as to perform nursing interventions and psychotherapy in the prenatal and delivery stages.
 

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Background & Aim: Compliance with health behaviors during pregnancy plays an important role in the health of mothers and their neonates. The aim of the study was to determine factors predicting adherence to COVID-19 health protocols among pregnant women in Zanjan province in 2020.
Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 2336 pregnant women referred to comprehensive health centers in Zanjan province in 2020. The samples were selected by the multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected by telephone using a researcher-designed questionnaire on health practices and overall perception of COVID-19 disease. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression model were used at the confidence level of 95% through the SPSS software version 16.
Results: Most women were in the second trimester of pregnancy and living in the urban areas. Considering the median score as a cutting point, the participants’ adherence level was 46.5% over the median score and at a desirable level. The handwashing adherence was 84.7% and mask use was 76.6%. Location, age, education, occupation, household income, and family history of COVID-19 disease were the most important predictors of compliance with COVID-19 health protocols (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Adherence to health protocols was at a relatively desirable level in almost half of the participants. It is suggested that education and support programs be designed and implemented for young and low-income groups living in rural areas.

 

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Background & Aim: Domestic violence has many negative consequences on the physical, mental and well-being of pregnant women. Today, spiritual health is recognized as one of the most important factors in protecting individuals against physical and mental problems. The aim of the study was to investigate spiritual health and its relationship with demographic characteristics of pregnant women with domestic violence in the south of Iran.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive study was conducted in 2020 on 305 pregnant mothers with domestic violence experience, referred to comprehensive health centers in Jiroft. Subjects were selected by the convenience sampling method, and data were collected using the Spiritual Health Scale and the short form of the Domestic Violence Screening Scale. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 24 and independent t-test, analysis of variance and linear regression.
Results: The mean (and standard deviation) score of spiritual health was 79.89(18.98). Spiritual health score has a statistically significant inverse relationship with the women’s age (P<0.001, r_s=-0.18), duration of marriage (P<0.001 and r_s=-0.32), number of children (P<0.001, r_s=-0.26) and domestic violence (P<0.001, r_s=-0.65). The results of regression analysis showed that the duration of marriage, spouse occupation, and domestic violence were the predictors of participants’ spiritual health score (R²=0.45).
Conclusion: The findings of the study can help medical staff and social workers who are in contact with pregnant women experiencing domestic violence to identify and devise strategies to promote spirituality as a way leading these women towards health.

 

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Background & Aim: Pregnancy is a very important period that is sometimes associated with various complications such as diabetes and poor sleep quality. Therefore, early identification of possible risk factors can play an important role in the health of pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of gestational anxiety with sleep quality and gestational diabetes in pregnant women.
Methods & Materials: The present study was a descriptive-analytical study. In this study, 359 pregnant women referred to health centers in Baneh during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy were included through the convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were the demographic information questionnaire, the Petersburg sleep quality questionnaire, the short form of pregnancy-related anxiety questionnaire (PRAQ-17), and gestational diabetes screening result recorded in each patient's health record.
Results: The results revealed that 12.3% of pregnant women were anxious, of which 78.8% suffered from poor sleep quality and 10% had gestational diabetes. Statistical analysis showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between gestational anxiety and poor sleep quality, and gestational diabetes (P>0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that gestational anxiety is not related to sleep disorders and gestational diabetes. However, further research and prospective cohort studies are needed in this regard.

 

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Background & Aim: The average growth indicators in babies from unwanted pregnancy are lower than other babies. Perceived stress in these mothers can have a double effect on the reduction of milk. Considering the importance of breastfeeding in the health of mother and child, the present study aimed to determine the effect of couples counseling on perceived stress and the improvement of breastfeeding self-efficacy in women with an unwanted pregnancy.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized controlled trial study, 60 women with an unwanted pregnancy referred to comprehensive health centers of Khodabandeh city in 2021 were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly allocated into two intervention and control groups in blocks of four. The control group received routine care, and the intervention group received six sessions of couples counseling based on spousal support twice a week. The data were collected using the Dennis Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Questionnaire, and the Cohen's Perceived Stress Questionnaire in three stages; before, immediately after the intervention and six weeks after delivery. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16 by descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent t-test and repeated measures ANOVA at a 95% confidence level.
Results: In the counseling group, the mean score of breastfeeding self-efficacy increased immediately after the intervention and six weeks after delivery compared to before the intervention, and decreased in the control group (P<0.001). In the counseling group, the mean score of perceived stress decreased immediately after the intervention and six weeks after delivery compared to before the intervention, and increased significantly in the control group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Couples counseling based on spousal support was effective in improving breastfeeding self-efficacy and reducing perceived postpartum stress in women with an unwanted pregnancy. The presence of spouses in the breastfeeding counseling program appears to be a suitable measure that can be taken into consideration by planners in this field.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20150731023423N18

 

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Background & Aim: Pregnant women experience physiological changes and may fear harming themselves or their fetus, leading some to avoid sexual intercourse during pregnancy. This avoidance can lead to sexual health issues. This study aimed to investigate the effect of reality therapy group counseling on the sexual function of pregnant women.
Methods & Materials: This interventional study was conducted with 80 pregnant women referred to health centers in Arak in 2019. Participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group (40 participants in each group). The intervention group received eight sessions of reality therapy group counseling over four consecutive weeks, while the control group received routine prenatal care. Participants completed the standard Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire before the intervention and four weeks after the sessions. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 16, employing paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and the Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean score of sexual function between the two groups before the intervention (P=0.573). However, four weeks after the intervention, the mean score of sexual function in the intervention group (27.22±2.91) significantly increased compared to the control group (20.32±0.31) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Implementing group sexual counseling based on the reality therapy approach can improve sexual performance among pregnant women. Thus, it is recommended that midwives employ this approach to improve the sexual function of pregnant women.