Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Individual counseling in mothers bereaved by pregnancy loss: A randomized clinical trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Mahmonir Haghighi
. Khatereh Oladbaniadam 1
. Hamideh Mohaddesi 2
. Javad Rasuli 3

1 M.Sc. Student of Counselling in Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Midwifery, Maternal and Childhood Obesity Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

3 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The loss of a pregnancy can result in grief, guilt, self‑doubt, anxiety, and
post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Considering the side effects mentioned for mental health
and the fact that the symptoms will linger if left untreated and even adversely affect the subsequent
pregnancies. The current study was designed to assess the impact of individual counseling on stress,
anxiety, and depression in mothers with pregnancy loss.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study commenced 100 women who experienced pregnancy loss
(in Urmia/2018-2019); they were enrolled using convenience sampling and block randomization. The
intervention group received four individual counseling sessions (weekly sessions with a duration of
1 h) based on Warden’s principles. The control group received routine care. The Depression Anxiety
Stress Scale (DASS‑42) was filled out at baseline, the pre‑ and post‑intervention. Analyses were
performed using the Chi‑square, paired, or individual t‑tests, when necessary. P value < 0.05 was
considered significant.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences regarding socio‑demographic characteristics and
clinical features between groups at baseline. Intra‑group analysis showed that all outcome measures
in the intervention group were significantly improved. According to inter‑groups analysis, a significant
association was found between pre‑test and post‑test in the intervention group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Results of this study can clarify the psychological effects of pregnancy loss in these
mothers and help the officials and responsible parties to plan the treatment and rehabilitation of these
women and include them in the healthcare system.

Keywords

Anxiety
counseling
depression
pregnancy
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 12, Issue 5
June 2022
Pages 1-7

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