Effectiveness of Midwife-Led Childbirth Preparation Education on Physical and Psychological Readiness for Childbirth among Women in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Physical and psychological readiness are crucial aspects to consider leading up to childbirth. Midwife-led childbirth preparation education serves as an approach to help pregnant women enhance their understanding and preparedness for the birthing process. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of midwife-led childbirth preparation education on the physical and psychological readiness of third-trimester pregnant women. A quantitative research method was employed using a pre-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest design. The study was conducted at the "X" Primary Clinic in Lubuk Pakam, involving 12 third-trimester pregnant women selected through total sampling. Physical and psychological readiness were assessed before and after the educational intervention using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a paired-sample t-test, with an alpha level of 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. The mean score for physical readiness increased from 58.25 to 78.50, while the mean score for psychological readiness rose from 55.75 to 80.25. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in both variables (p = 0.001). In conclusion, midwife-led childbirth preparation education has the potential to improve the physical and psychological readiness of third-trimester pregnant women and may be considered as an integral component of comprehensive antenatal care.