Complementary Antenatal Education Reduces Anxiety and Pain in Primigravidas: A Quasi-Experimental Study

First pregnancy pregnant women usually have high anxiety and fear of pain of delivery which affects the outcome of the pregnancy and neonates negatively. Complementary antenatal education program using mind body approach along with other non pharmacological approaches to pain relief is recommended in midwifery practice in Indonesia. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of complementary antenatal education program on anxiety during pregnancy and level of labor pain in primigravida women. Quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design has been used as research design. Research participants were 80 healthy primigravidas attending antenatal care at two primary health-care centers in Indonesia. Experimental group consisted of 40 patients who attended 4 sessions of complementary antenatal education (breathing and relaxation training, yoga stretching exercises, massage and touch techniques, aromatherapy counseling) and antenatal education as usual and control group consisted of 40 women attending antenatal education as usual. Pregnancy-related anxiety level was assessed using pregnancy-related anxiety scale while labor pain was estimated using 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using paired and independent t-test, chi-square test.