The Relationship Between CAM Methods which Pregnant Women Plan to Apply in Order to Reduce Their Pain in Childbirth and Fear of Childbirth and Childbirth Self-Efficacy

Objective: In the study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between CAM methods which pregnant women planned to apply in order to reduce their pain in childbirth and fear of childbirth and childbirth self-efficacy. Material-Method: The study was conducted in a cross-sectional design. It was completed with 455 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and did not have any risks related to their pregnancy. The study data were collected through Identifying Information Form, which also aimed to determine CAM methods planned to be used, The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) Version A, and Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory. In the comparison of CAM users and non-users according to their identifying characteristics, Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. In the comparison between the participants’ W-DEQ A, CBSEI total scale mean scores and subscale mean scores and CAM methods they planned to use in childbirth to reduce their pain, Mann-Whitney U test was employed. Results: In the study, it was determined that the pregnant women planned to use mind-body based CAM methods by 31.4%, manipulative and body-based methods by 25, biologically based methods by 1.1%, energy therapy methods by 0.9%, and alternative medicine methods by 0.7%. It was also found that the pregnant women planned to use methods such as praying (n=88), listening to music (n=27), yoga (n=11), breathing exercise (n=10), and massage (n=8) the most, respectively. In addition, it was determined that there was a significant difference between CBSEI efficacy and outcome expectancy subscales mean scores and CBSEI total scale mean score of the pregnant women who did not plan to apply CAM methods to reduce their labor pain compared to those who planned to use these methods. Conclusion: It was found in the study that the pregnant women planned to use mind-body based methods the most in order to reduce their pain in childbirth. The use of other methods was limited. It was also determined that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of fear of childbirth according to their planning to use CAM methods to reduce their pain in childbirth, and that childbirth self-efficacy levels of those who planned to use CAM methods were significantly low.