Effects of Husband’s involvement in Prenatal Care on Couples’ Intimacy and Postpartum Blues among Primiparous Women

Document Type : Original Article

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1 1 lecturer of Obstetrics & Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt

2 2 Lecturer of Maternal and Neonatal Health Nursing - Faculty of Nursing - Helwan University, Egypt,

3 3Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: A husband’s involvement in prenatal period can greatly lessen pain and stress, improving the quality of the pregnancy; which in turn helps women to pass through the postpartum period safely and to avoid any negative psychological changes such as postpartum blue. Aim: The aim of the research was to examine the incidence of postpartum depression in primiparous women and the impact of a husband's involvement in prenatal care on the intimacy of couples Design: A quasi-experimental research design (two groups "control/study"). Setting: obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic at Benha University hospitals in Qaliobya governorate, Egypt. Sample: A purposive sample of (144) primiparous women was selected from the above-mentioned research settings for six months; according to inclusion criteria. Tools: The data collection process utilized three primary tools: a structured interviewing questionnaire (which included socio-demographic data and obstetric history), Kennerley's Postpartum Blues Questionnaire, and the Unidimensional Relationship Closeness Scale. Results: After intervention (one week and two weeks after delivery), the total mean score of couples’ intimacy in the study group were significantly higher than the score in the control group. Also, there was highly significant difference in all symptoms of postpartum blues between control and study groups in the favor of study group. Conclusion: Couples' intimacy and postpartum depression among primiparous women were positively affected by husbands' participation in prenatal care Recommendation: Innovative approaches, including the provision of reproductive health information to spouses, the training of healthcare providers in women's care, and the provision of education on the health requirements and specific roles that men play in pregnancy and childbirth, should be developed.

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