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

Background: This study examined the effectiveness of a birth preparation course on coping with childbirth among primigravid ultra-orthodox Jewish women in Israel. Methods: In total, 130 ultra-orthodox 25-35-week primigravid women were divided into a study ( n = 100, participated in birth preparation courses) and a control ( n = 30, did not participate in the courses) group. A questionnaire was delivered three times: T ₁ -before the course/delivery, T ₂ -two-three days after delivery, and T ₃ -a month after delivery. Results: At T ₃ , 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 _(2,246) = 12.83, p < 0.001), as a time-group interaction effect (F _(2,246) = 10.20, p < 0.01). Self-efficacy in the study group (Mean, M = 3.40, Standard deviation, SD = 0.63 at T ₁ ) dropped to M = 3.06, SD = 0.76 at T ₂ and rose to M = 3.34, SD = 0.64 at T ₃ . In the control group, self-efficacy (M = 3.53, SD = 0.56 at T ₁ ) dropped to M = 3.26, SD = 0.63 at T ₂ and to M = 2.95, SD = 0.76 at T ₃ . Discussion: 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.