This study aims to evaluate the effect of midwife-led antenatal perineal massage education on pregnancy empowerment, self-efficacy for normal birth, and fear of childbirth among primiparous pregnant women. The study is designed as a controlled quasi-experimental study and will be conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of Silifke State Hospital in Mersin, Turkey.
Eligible participants will be primiparous pregnant women aged 18-35 years, between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation, with a singleton pregnancy and a plan for vaginal birth. Participants in the intervention group will receive structured antenatal perineal massage education led by a midwife, in addition to routine antenatal care. Participants in the control group will receive routine antenatal care.
The primary outcome will be pregnancy empowerment. Secondary outcomes will include self-efficacy for normal birth, fear of childbirth, knowledge and preferences regarding antenatal perineal massage, and adherence to antenatal perineal massage practice.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 35 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Women aged 18 to 35 years
* At least primary school graduates
* Able to communicate in Turkish
* Between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation
* Primiparous pregnant women
* Singleton pregnancy
* Planning vaginal birth
* Able to use a smartphone
* Having internet access
* Willing to participate in the study and providing informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Having an indication for planned cesarean section
* History of perineal surgery
* Presence of active genital infection or genital lesion
* Cognitive, communication-related, or psychiatric condition that may prevent completion of the study forms
* Refusal to participate in the study
* Withdrawal from the study during the study process
* Failure to complete the educational intervention
* Missing pre-test or post-test data
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Pregnancy Empowerment
Timeframe: Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the education program