Positive Expressive Writing, Fear of Childbirth and Childbirth Self-Efficacy: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

to experience increased stress related to the childbirth process, which may
lead to fear of childbirth (FOC). High levels of FOC negatively affect the
childbirth process and overall birth experience. Fear of childbirth is known
to be negatively correlated with childbirth self-efficacy, where better self
efficacy is associated with higher childbirth satisfaction. Expressive writing
is a simple psychological intervention focused on emotional processing
through writing and has been proven effective in reducing stress and anxiety
among pregnant women. However, research examining the effects of
expressive writing on FOC and childbirth self-efficacy among third-trimester
pregnant women in Indonesia remains limited. Objectives: To examine the
effect of expressive writing on fear of childbirth and childbirth self-efficacy
among third-trimester pregnant women. Methods: This study employed a pre
experimental design using a one-group pretest–posttest approach. A total of
26 third-trimester pregnant women were selected using accidental sampling.
The expressive writing intervention was conducted for four consecutive days.
FOC was measured using the W-DEQ version A, while childbirth self-efficacy
was assessed using the CBSEI C-32. Data were analyzed using the paired t
test. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in fear of childbirth
after the expressive writing intervention (p = 0.043). However, the increase
in childbirth self-efficacy scores after the intervention was not statistically
significant (p = 0.063). Conclusion: Expressive writing was effective in
reducing fear of childbirth but did not demonstrate a significant effect on
improving childbirth self-efficacy among third-trimester pregnant women.