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The role of antenatal relaxation practices in enhancing maternal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences: an observational study.

Tabib, Mo; Humphrey, Tracy; Forbes-McKay, Katrina

Authors

Tracy Humphrey



Abstract

There is growing qualitative evidence that antenatal education on relaxation practices can enable women to deliberately induce a deep state of emotional calmness. Learning to shift focus from distressing emotions such as anxiety and fear to this altered state of calmness may significantly enhance women's confidence, thereby protecting maternal psychological wellbeing and leading to more positive childbirth experiences. However, the generalisability of these findings remains uncertain. This study aimed to bridge this gap by using quantitative methods to validate and extend the qualitative evidence. Through an observational study with a prospective longitudinal cohort design, ninety-one women attending a single antenatal relaxation class at a Scottish NHS maternity service completed online surveys including Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory (CBSEI), Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS), Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ), and Six-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6) at pre-class, post-class and post-birth. Findings indicated significant improvements in childbirth self-efficacy expectancy, mental wellbeing, fear of childbirth, and both trait and state anxiety after attending the class, and these improvements remained stable until 4 to 8 weeks after birth. Women widely reported using relaxation practices, with the majority perceiving a positive influence on their pregnancy and childbirth experiences. The majority also viewed their overall childbirth experiences as positive. Consequently, maternity services should consider reforming current antenatal education to align with these findings.

Citation

TABIB, M., HUMPHREY, T. and FORBES-MCKAY, K. 2025. The role of antenatal relaxation practices in enhancing maternal psychological wellbeing and childbirth experiences: an observational study. Frontiers in global women's health [online], 6, article number 1597174. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1597174

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 28, 2025
Online Publication Date May 16, 2025
Publication Date Dec 31, 2025
Deposit Date Apr 29, 2025
Publicly Available Date Apr 29, 2025
Journal Frontiers in global women's health
Electronic ISSN 2673-5059
Publisher Frontiers Media
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 6
Article Number 1597174
DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1597174
Keywords Antenatal education; Maternity; Childbirth; Perinatal mental health; Relaxation; Relaxation practices; Perinatal psychological wellbeing; Childbirth self-efficacy; Fear of childbirth; Anxiety; Childbirth experiences
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2675493

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