The Nurse’s Role and Communication Strategies in Alleviating Fear and Anxiety During Pregnancy and Childbirth

Abstract

Introduction: Hospitals and health centers, as institutions that offer quality health services, take care to establish trust and open communication with patients, as well as to understand and protect the psychological and spiritual values of each patient. The preparation of the patient for natural birth as well as for surgical birth, both from the physical-medical and psychological side, is a necessity that is needed and gives positive results during and after the birth of the child.

Aim: To evaluate the knowledge of the nursing staff and the role that nurses play in calming the patient's fear during pregnancy and childbirth.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Vlora for a period of 2 years (December 2021 December 2023). This study was conducted in 4 health centers and in maternity hospitals where over 700 questionnaires were distributed to pregnant women with open questions and direct interviews to evaluate the role of nurses and midwives in minimizing fear and anxiety during childbirth.

Results: A total of 735 women were studied, of which 215 were pregnant, and 520 gave birth during the study period. According to the collected data, it results that in 68% of pregnant women, sensitive and active education was carried out. 73% of nurses guarantee ethical-professional competencies and reliable and encouraging relationships are reported to be at the level above 80%. Only 53% identify the needs of the patient and provide sufficient information to 71% of the nursing staff. 54% use expressions and close communication, and only 16% of nurses cooperate with other health professionals. They guarantee good and hygienic conditions of the environment 84%, help to maintain social and family relations 74%, and use psycho-therapy to calm the fear and anxiety of almost 90% of nurses.

Conclusions: According to the results of the study, we say that the nurse's role in calming fear and anxiety during pregnancy depends on the knowledge he has about fear and anxiety, the tasks and role as a nurse, from which he will derive the right knowledge for implemented at the right time. It is important to improve the health education of nurses, starting from university curricula, continuing education, and various trainings.