Coping with the uncertainties of childbirth in first pregnancy (CUB)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The feasibility and acceptability of a single Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) informed education session to support the mental wellbeing of women coping with the uncertainties of childbirth in first pregnancy
IRAS ID
254547
Contact name
Pauline Slade
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool Research Office
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 5 days
Research summary
The aim is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a single Acceptance and Commitment Therapy informed education session to support the mental wellbeing of women coping with the uncertainties of childbirth in first pregnancy. Sheen & Slade (2017) meta-synthesis illustrates the “unpredictability of childbirth” as the overarching theme within fear of childbirth (FOC); with “uncertainty” in the birthing process as a fundamental element underpinning women’s’ fears. FOC can negatively impact women’s mental health and adjustment to the perinatal period as well as being linked to “increased health care usage and interventions, negative experiences of childbirth, postnatal depression, trauma and low rates of breast feeding”. There is little high-quality research looking at the feasibility and impact of mind-body interventions during pregnancy. Due to large intervention programmes being costly and labour intensive there is the need for cheaper, briefer interventions with the potential to be offered on a larger scale. Presently, there are no studies addressing the feasibility of developing a single ACT informed education session for women during the perinatal period. ACT is a behavioural approach, which suggests common processes underlie all psychological difficulties. ACT targets these processes to help foster psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility can be achieved by “A (accepting thoughts, feelings, be present), C (choosing a valued direction), T (taking action)”. ACT targets “intolerance of uncertainty” by addressing one’s willingness to accept the presence of uncertainty, followed by a conscious decision to put efforts into living a meaningful life as opposed to trying to combat the uncertainty itself. We will recruit first time mothers aged over 18, with a minimum of 36 women attending (approx. 12 per session). Session will be held on an NHS site with the completion of pre- intervention questionnaires and evaluative feedback. From 2 weeks after attendance participants will be asked to complete post-intervention questionnaires either by post, email or phone. It's anticipated that the findings will lead to further research examining how to provide effective interventions for FOC.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0269
Date of REC Opinion
5 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion