NCT06929975

The Effect of Podcast Training on Birth Fear in Couples

The Effect of Podcast Training on Birth Fear in Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 19 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Birth fear refers to intense feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry regarding the childbirth process, often arising from concerns about physical pain, complications, or uncertainty about the baby's health. Many women experience this fear during pregnancy, which, in some cases, may develop into a clinical condition known as tokophobia . Birth fear can increase stress levels, disrupting the mother's hormonal balance, which may prolong labor, increase the risk of complications, and negatively impact fetal development. Additionally, it can lead to issues such as loss of self-confidence, anxiety, and depression in the mother, while causing communication problems and lack of support between partners. Birth fear affects not only the labor process but also the postpartum period, potentially leading to postpartum depression, trauma, and difficulties in mother-infant bonding. All these factors can adversely impact the psychosocial well-being of both women and couples. Therefore, it is crucial to develop interventions aimed at recognizing and reducing birth fear.

Detailed description

Podcasts, with their accessibility, low cost, and user-friendly structure, allow individuals to access health-related information more easily and personalize the educational process, making it more effective. These factors make podcasts a valuable tool, especially in areas that require emotional and cognitive intervention, such as birth fear. While birth fear is a significant psychological factor influencing the anxiety of women and their partners regarding the childbirth process, there are limited intervention-focused studies targeting couples in this area. Although various methods have been proposed in the literature to reduce birth fear, data on the effectiveness of digital educational tools like podcasts in this domain is insufficient. This research aims to fill an important gap by evaluating the effect of a podcast series on birth fear in couples. The purpose of this study is to examine how a podcast series focused on birth fear impacts birth fear, anxiety, and postpartum depression in couples.

Conditions

• Pregnancy
• Birth Fear

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	podcast training	In accordance with the established training program for participants, a four-phase podcast listening process aimed at reducing birth fear will be implemented. The first podcast will be launched at the 33rd week of pregnancy, with the goal of helping participants gain information about the childbirth process and reduce their anxiety. Following that, a second podcast will be played at the 34th week of pregnancy, focusing on supporting psychological preparation for childbirth. The third podcast, to be implemented at the 35th week, will address topics such as relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that can be used during labor. Finally, the fourth podcast, played at the 36th week, will emphasize the importance of positive thinking and partner support during labor. To evaluate the effectiveness of the podcast sessions, psychological status and partner support scales will be applied at specific weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-14
• Primary completion: 2026-12-07
• Completion: 2026-12-30
• First posted: 2025-04-16
• Last updated: 2026-04-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)