Effect of midwife-led planned education on psychosocial health and obstetric outcomes among pregnant women in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: a quasi-experimental study

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively influenced the physical and psychosocial health, social interactions, and socioeconomic status of pregnant women. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of midwife-led planned education on psychosocial health and obstetric outcomes among pregnant women in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample for this quasi-experimental study consisted of 74 primiparous pregnant women (37 experimental, 37 control group) in rural Türkiye. The planned training program comprised four sessions in total, including two sessions conducted during the antenatal period and two sessions in the postpartum period. The training content addressed key topics such as prevention of COVID-19 infection, coping with and adapting to physiological and psychological changes during the perinatal period, birth pain and its management, newborn care, and breastfeeding practices. Each session had an average duration of 30–35 min. The training sessions were performed face-to-face using didactic instruction, demonstration methods, and supplementary written and visual brochures. Statistical analysis was performed with the Chi-Square test, Student-t test, Mann–Whitney U test, Paired t-test, and Wilcoxon test. Risk perception in pregnancy, pregnancy stress, and perceived trauma related to childbirth were lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Of all vaginal births, 74.3% were performed with the help of a midwife. The experimental group demonstrated higher levels of positive birth perception, satisfaction with the assisting midwife and obstetrician, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and maternal attachment than the control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of postpartum depressive symptoms (p > 0.05). During the COVID-19 pandemic, planned education provided by midwives to pregnant women demonstrated a positive impact on psychosocial health and obstetric outcomes. To promote psychosocial well-being and optimize obstetric outcomes among women living in rural areas during the perinatal period, it is essential to implement individualized, continuous, and follow-up-oriented midwifery care. Such an approach contributes to improved maternal health outcomes and more positive childbirth and postpartum experiences.