Online solution-focused psychoeducation as a new intervention for treating severe fear of childbirth: A randomized controlled trial in the pandemic period.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of solution-focused psychoeducation (SFP) and childbirth preparation training (CPT) on women's fear of childbirth and self-efficacy. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was carried out at the family health center in Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 119 healthy primigravid women. These women were randomized into the SFP group (n = 39), CPT group (n = 40), and control group care (n = 40). FINDINGS: After the intervention, the women in the experiment groups had decreased fear of childbirth and increased self-efficacy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Midwifery care based on education and counseling provided by online synchronous video conferencing method during the pandemic period is an effective and safe method in reducing fear of childbirth in women and increasing their self-efficacy.

The effect of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) education program on EFM interpretation skills.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to train midwifery students on electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) within the scope of the course and then to evaluate their pre- and post-course EFM knowledge and EFM interpreting skills.Methods: This interventional study was carried out at the Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences. The study population comprised of the senior (last-year, 4th-year) students who attended the Midwifery Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences during the academic years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. Of the 4th year students in the midwifery department, 42 who attended the school during the academic year 2015-16 and 61 who attended the school during the academic year 2016-2017 and accepted to participate in the study comprised the study sample.Results: The difference between the pre- and post-EFM course scores was statistically significant (p<.05). While the mean score obtained by the students before the EFM course was 55.29 ± 11.17, it was 76.15 ± 6.72 after the EFM course. Analysis of the success rates of the midwifery students in the EFM/NST course demonstrated that 80.6% of the students were successful.Conclusions: The findings of the study demonstrated that the participants' postcourse EFM knowledge and trace interpretation skills were better than their precourse EFM knowledge and trace interpretation skills.

Effect of episiotomy training with beef tongue and sponge simulators on the self-confidence building of midwifery students.

This study assesses the efficacy of simulation-based episiotomy training (SBET) with beef tongue and sponge models in terms of the self confidence of midwifery students while performing episiotomy. Third-year midwifery students from Cumhuriyet University in the fall semesters of 2011 and 2012 were enrolled in the sponge and beef tongue model groups (n = 36 and n = 37, respectively). A checklist was prepared on the required skills for performing episiotomy which can be broken into three main parts, namely preparation, cutting and repairing and completion. According to the checklist, a Likert type questionnaire was developed including 5 items for preparation, 11 items for cutting and repairing, and 6 items for completion. After SBET with the sponge and beef tongue models in our laboratories of Midwifery Department, the students performed episiotomy steps in laboring women in Sivas State Hospital and then they filled in the questionnaire to indicate whether they gained self-confidence in performing episiotomy or not. Although, participants of both groups have successfully completed all the steps of episiotomy, overall, beef tongue model was found to be more successful regarding their self-confidence (p < 0.05), including the skills in performing local anesthesia; choosing needle holder, suture material and scissor for cutting; identifying apex, hymen and skin; using needle holder properly while penetrating into the skin, suturing vaginal mucosa until hymen, knotting, and suturing perineal muscles and skin. Our results suggest that while SBET with both models are applicable for episiotomy training of midwifery students in the laboratory setting, SBET with beef tongue model provides an additional increase in their self-confidence in the clinical settings.