The effect of empathy training given to midwives on the empathic communication skills of midwives and the birth satisfaction of mothers giving birth with the help of these midwives: A quasi-experimental study.

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: Empathic attitudes and behaviours of midwives directly affect obstetric outcomes. The study aims to examine the effect of empathy training on the empathic communication skills of midwives and the childbirth satisfaction of primiparous mothers. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study has two sample groups including midwives working in the delivery unit (n = 15) and mothers giving birth with the help of these midwives (n = 134). Empathy training was given to the midwives through a 32-hour program involving didactic narrative, creative drama, and psychodrama techniques. A "Descriptive Information Form," and the "Empathic Communication Skills" and "Empathic Tendencies" scales were used to collect data from the midwives, and another "Descriptive Information Form" and the "Scale for Measuring Maternal Satisfaction in Normal Birth" were used for the maternal data. RESULTS: Empathic communication skills and empathic tendencies of the midwives were found to be higher right after and 8 weeks after the training than before the training (P = .001, P = .040, respectively). The total score and sub-dimensions of the maternal satisfaction scale (ie, midwifery care, respect for privacy, meeting expectations, postpartum care) were found to be higher in mothers giving birth after the midwives' empathy training than those giving birth before (P < .001). A higher level of maternal birth satisfaction was seen in mothers giving birth right after the training (94%) than those giving birth before training (3%). CONCLUSION: The empathy training improved both the empathy skills of midwives, and translated to improved maternal satisfaction with birth among their mothers. It is recommended to increase the number of follow-ups to evaluate the long-term effect of empathy training.

The effect of yoga on stress level in infertile women.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of planned yoga practices on stress levels in infertile women. DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized controlled study included 128 volunteer women who were registered at a private in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic and received infertility treatment. The patients in the experimental group took part in the yoga program twice a week for 6 weeks. A personal information form and The Copenhagen Multi-center Psychosocial Infertility (COMPI) Fertility Problem Stress Scale were used to collect data. FINDINGS: The differences between the mean scores of the control and experimental groups on the COMPI Fertility Problem Stress Scale at pre- and posttests were statistically significant (P < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Because yoga practices may be effective in reducing stress in infertile women, these applications can be performed before treatment. It may reduce patients' stress and increase the success of the treatment. These findings indicate that yoga could reduce stress levels in infertile women.

Midwifery education in Turkey.

Midwives are the most important health workers for the protection and improvement of maternal and infant health. A well organized health system and qualified midwife education programs developed in accordance with contemporary requirements are required to ensure the competence of midwives in their practice.