The Effects of Childbirth Preparation Nursing Intervention Integrating Islamic Praying Program on Duration of Labor and Neonatal Outcomes in Primiparous Muslim Women

Abstract

Fear and anxiety in labor pain may increase the duration of labor (prolonged labor) and is one of the reasons for cesarean section in first time mothers (primiparous women). Prevention could be implemented through a childbirth preparation program with childbirth education on positioning, breathing, stroking, and Islamic praying conducted from pregnancy until labor room with family support. An experimental study design was conducted with 83 participants randomly assigned into an intervention group (n = 41) and control group (n = 42) to examine the effect of nursing interventions integrating an Islamic praying (CPNsIIIP) program on duration of active phase of labor and neonatal outcomes. The experimental group received the usual care and the program from 32 weeks of pregnancy by providing childbirth education then practice it at home every day until childbirth. In the labor room, the women recited 14 verses of the Quran, stroking, positioning during inter contractions, and just breathing during contractions of the active phase of labor at the Bhinneka Bhakti Husada Hospital and Community Health Center Pamulang, Indonesia. The control group received only the usual care. Duration of labor was measured in minutes, and neonatal outcomes were measured using the APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) scale and complication of fetus after birth by collaborating with doctor. An Independent t-test was conducted to determine the between group effect of the program. Findings showed that duration of the active phase of labor was significantly shorter in the experimental group than in the control group after receiving the program (t = 7.51; p = 0.00) and improved the neonatal outcomes, except for the APGAR scores of the babies; at 1 and 5 min, the experimental group were 8.8 ± 0.4 and 8.79 ± 0.4 (p > .05). The program in this study clearly indicated positive effects on shortening of the active phase of labor, with no complications of neonatal outcomes, in primiparous Muslim women.