Evaluating the Effectiveness of Childbirth Preparation Courses on Women's Self-Efficacy among Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Religious Women in Israel.

This study examined the effectiveness of a birth preparation course on coping with childbirth among primigravid ultra-orthodox Jewish women in Israel. In total, 130 ultra-orthodox 25-35-week primigravid women were divided into a study ( = 100, participated in birth preparation courses) and a control ( = 30, did not participate in the courses) group. A questionnaire was delivered three times: T-before the course/delivery, T-two-three days after delivery, and T-a month after delivery. At T, self-efficacy among the study group was higher than in the control group. Differences in self-efficacy were found over time regardless of the group (F = 12.83, < 0.001), as a time-group interaction effect (F = 10.20, < 0.01). Self-efficacy in the study group (Mean, M = 3.40, Standard deviation, SD = 0.63 at T) dropped to M = 3.06, SD = 0.76 at T and rose to M = 3.34, SD = 0.64 at T. In the control group, self-efficacy (M = 3.53, SD = 0.56 at T) dropped to M = 3.26, SD = 0.63 at T and to M = 2.95, SD = 0.76 at T. The childbirth preparation course was found to be effective in raising self-efficacy among primigravid ultra-orthodox religious women when compared to the control group.