Effects of Watson's Human Caring Theory-Based Nursing Care on Fear of Childbirth and Birth Experience

Near East University, Turkey

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fear of Childbirth; Childbirth Experience

Treatments: Behavioral: Routine Nursing Care; Behavioral: Intervention Group: Watson's Human Caring Theory-Based Nursing Care

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07321457

YTK.1.01

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of integrating a nursing care program based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring into the childbirth process on mothers' fear of childbirth and childbirth experience among women who had uncomplicated vaginal births.

The study aimed to examine whether nursing care structured according to Watson's Theory of Human Caring differed from routine nursing care in terms of fear of childbirth and childbirth experience during labor.

Researchers compared an intervention group, which received Watson's Theory-based nursing care, with a control group, which received routine nursing care, using standardized assessment tools.

Participants:

Received either nursing care based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring or routine nursing care during labor

Completed the Fear of Childbirth Scale (FOBS) and the Questionnaire for Assessing Childbirth Experience (QACE)

Were monitored and assessed throughout the labor process

Full description

This randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effect of integrating a nursing care program based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring into the childbirth process on mothers' fear of childbirth and childbirth experience.

The study was conducted at a public hospital in Northern Cyprus between May 2024 and March 2025. A total of 30 mothers who experienced uncomplicated vaginal births were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15).

The control group received routine nursing care, while the intervention group received nursing care structured according to Watson's Theory of Human Caring. The study employed a single-blind design, in which participants were unaware of their group allocation.

Data were collected using the Fear of Childbirth Scale (FOBS) and the Questionnaire for Assessing the Childbirth Experience - Short Version (QACE). These instruments were used to assess fear of childbirth and childbirth experience during labor and the postpartum period.

Statistical analyses were planned to compare outcomes between the intervention and control groups and to examine the effect of theory-based nursing care on fear of childbirth and childbirth experience.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant women ≥18 years, at 37-41 weeks of gestation, Pregnant women in the active phase of labor (cervical dilation ≥ 3 cm). Pregnant women who presented with spontaneous labor were directed to vaginal de-livery after physician evaluation.

Pregnant women carrying a single fetus in a vertex presentation. Pregnant women with an estimated fetal weight between 2500 4000 grams. Pregnant women undergo regular uterine contractions characteristic of the active phase.

Pregnant women who are literate in Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women younger than 18 years. Pregnant women older than 45 years. Pregnant women with multiple pregnancies. Pregnant women with a history of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Pregnant women in the latent phase with cervical dilation < 3 cm. Pregnant women who received spinal, epidural, or general anesthesia during la-bor.

Pregnant women with a previous cesarean section (C/S). Pregnant women with a history of uterine surgery. Pregnant women whose delivery resulted in an emergency cesarean section. Pregnant women diagnosed with a mental disorder. Pregnant women showing signs of tokophobia (clinical fear of childbirth. Pregnant women who were separated from their newborn baby for medical reasons after delivery.

Pregnant women with a history of preeclampsia. Pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Pregnant women with placenta anomalies (placenta previa, placental abruptio, etc.).

Pregnant women with chronic diseases (DM, HT, etc.). Pregnant women with infectious diseases or active infections. Pregnant women with anemia. Pregnant women with fetal macrosomia. Pregnant women with vaginal bleeding. Pregnant women with abnormal vital signs. Pregnant women with presentation anomalies (breech, transverse)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention Group

Experimental group

Description:

Mothers in the intervention group received nursing care based on Watson's Human Caring Theory during labor. This care included emotional support, therapeutic communication, and individualized interventions aimed at reducing fear of childbirth and improving overall birth experience.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Intervention Group: Watson's Human Caring Theory-Based Nursing Care

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Mothers in the control group received routine nursing care during labor. No additional interventions based on Watson's Human Caring Theory were administered.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Routine Nursing Care