PregnancyNCT06929975
The Effect of Podcast Training on Birth Fear in Couples
A study testing podcast training in people with Pregnancy and Birth Fear, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Birth fear refers to intense feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry regarding the childbirth process, often arising from concerns about physical pain, complications, or uncertainty about the baby's health. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 35 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Pregnancy, Birth Fear
- What is being tested?
- podcast training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 14 Apr 2026to 30 Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 to 35 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 19-35 years old married primiparous 2nd trimester pregnant women
Who cannot join
- Pregnant women with risky pregnancies illiteracy problems with internet access visual and hearing impairment
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Podcast Training on Birth Fear in Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Birth fear refers to intense feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry regarding the childbirth process, often arising from concerns about physical pain, complications, or uncertainty about the baby's health. Many women experience this fear during pregnancy, which, in some cases, may develop into a clinical condition known as tokophobia . Birth fear can increase stress levels, disrupting the mother's hormonal balance, which may prolong labor, increase the risk of complications, and negatively impact fetal development. Additionally, it can lead to issues such as loss of self-confidence, anxiety, and depression in the mother, while causing communication problems and lack of support between partners. Birth fear affects not only the labor process but also the postpartum period, potentially leading to postpartum depression, trauma, and difficulties in mother-infant bonding. All these factors can adversely impact the psychosocial well-being of both women and couples. Therefore, it is crucial to develop interventions aimed at recognizing and reducing birth fear.
Read the detailed description
Podcasts, with their accessibility, low cost, and user-friendly structure, allow individuals to access health-related information more easily and personalize the educational process, making it more effective. These factors make podcasts a valuable tool, especially in areas that require emotional and cognitive intervention, such as birth fear. While birth fear is a significant psychological factor influencing the anxiety of women and their partners regarding the childbirth process, there are limited intervention-focused studies targeting couples in this area. Although various methods have been proposed in the literature to reduce birth fear, data on the effectiveness of digital educational tools like podcasts in this domain is insufficient. This research aims to fill an important gap by evaluating the effect of a podcast series on birth fear in couples. The purpose of this study is to examine how a podcast series focused on birth fear impacts birth fear, anxiety, and postpartum depression in couples.
- Conditions
- Pregnancy, Birth Fear
- Being tested
- podcast training
- Keywords
- birth fear, pregnancy, podcast
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
podcast trainingBehavioural
In accordance with the established training program for participants, a four-phase podcast listening process aimed at reducing birth fear will be implemented. The first podcast will be launched at the 33rd week of pregnancy, with the goal of helping participants gain information about the childbirth process and reduce their anxiety. Following that, a second podcast will be played at the 34th week of pregnancy, focusing on supporting psychological preparation for childbirth. The third podcast, to be implemented at the 35th week, will address topics such as relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that can be used during labor. Finally, the fourth podcast, played at the 36th week, will emphasize the importance of positive thinking and partner support during labor. To evaluate the effectiveness of the podcast sessions, psychological status and partner support scales will be applied at specific weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| podcast | Experimental | In accordance with the established training program for participants, a four-phase podcast listening process aimed at reducing birth fear will be implemented. The first podcast will be launched at the 33rd week of pregnancy, with the goal of helping participants gain information about the childbirth process and reduce their anxiety. Following that, a second podcast will be played at the 34th week of pregnancy, focusing on supporting psychological preparation for childbirth. The third podcast, to be implemented at the 35th week, will address topics such as relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that can be used during labor. Finally, the fourth podcast, played at the 36th week, will emphasize the importance of positive thinking and partner support during labor. To evaluate the effectiveness of the podcast sessions, psychological status and partner support scales will be applied at specific weeks. Receives: Behavioral: podcast training |
| control | No intervention | Participants in the control group will not be provided with any podcast sessions; they will continue to benefit only from routine pregnancy follow-ups and existing healthcare services. This group will progress through the natural course without any special interventions, and standard prenatal care procedures will be applied. To measure changes in participants' birth fear and psychological conditions, data will be collected by applying specific scales at the 32nd, 37th, and 39th weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, the same scales will be used on the 2nd postpartum day to assess participants' psychological conditions after childbirth. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ)
This scale measures fear and expectations related to childbirth. Form A focuses on measuring fear of childbirth during pregnancy, while Form B assesses the postpartum process. The W-DEQ-A Form consists of 33 items. Low fear and anxiety are scored between 33-55 points, moderate fear and anxiety between 56-80 points, and high fear and anxiety between 81-165 points. It has three subscales: "Fear and Anxiety of Childbirth," "Expectations Regarding Childbirth," and "Emotional Responses to the Birth Process."
The W-DEQ-B Form consists of 14 items across three subscales: "Fear of Childbirth," "Physical Reactions," and "Psychological Reactions." Low fear is scored between 14-28 points, moderate fear between 29-49 points, and high fear between 50-70 points.
Measured: 8 month
Secondary outcomes (1)
Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale:
This scale is used to determine the psychological stress and anxiety levels experienced during pregnancy. It measures individuals' negative feelings and thoughts regarding the pregnancy process. The scale is assessed through three subscales: "Emotional Distress," "Physical Distress," and "Social Support and Relationships." The total score reflects the intensity of the psychological and physical distress experienced by the individual during pregnancy. The total score determines the personal stress level. A score between 25-40 indicates low stress, between 41-60 indicates moderate stress, and a score of 61 and above indicates high stress.
Measured: 8 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Apr 2025
- Study start14 Apr 2026
- Primary completion7 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for PregnancyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istanbul University - CerrahpasaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Betul Uncu, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06929975
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025/160
- Status last verified
- Nov 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 3 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The data will not be shared due to privacy concerns and the protection of participant confidentiality. Additionally, there are no plans to make the data publicly available as the study is ongoing and the analysis is still in progress.
Publications
Cai F, McCabe M, Srinivas SK. A randomized trial assessing the impact of educational podcasts on personal control and satisfaction during childbirth. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 May;228(5):592.e1-592.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.01.021. Epub 2023 Feb 13.
PubMed 36791987
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Podcast Training on Birth Fear in Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06929975
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025/160
- Conditions
- Pregnancy, Birth Fear
- Keywords
- birth fear, pregnancy, podcast
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - CerrahpasaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 14 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Birth fear refers to intense feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry regarding the childbirth process, often arising from concerns about physical pain, complications, or uncertainty about the baby's health. Many women experience this fear during pregnancy, which, in some cases, may develop into a clinical condition known as tokophobia . Birth fear can increase stress levels, disrupting the mother's hormonal balance, which may prolong labor, increase the risk of complications, and negatively impact fetal development. Additionally, it can lead to issues such as loss of self-confidence, anxiety, and depression in the mother, while causing communication problems and lack of support between partners. Birth fear affects not only the labor process but also the postpartum period, potentially leading to postpartum depression, trauma, and difficulties in mother-infant bonding. All these factors can adversely impact the psychosocial well-being of both women and couples. Therefore, it is crucial to develop interventions aimed at recognizing and reducing birth fear.
Detailed description
Podcasts, with their accessibility, low cost, and user-friendly structure, allow individuals to access health-related information more easily and personalize the educational process, making it more effective. These factors make podcasts a valuable tool, especially in areas that require emotional and cognitive intervention, such as birth fear. While birth fear is a significant psychological factor influencing the anxiety of women and their partners regarding the childbirth process, there are limited intervention-focused studies targeting couples in this area. Although various methods have been proposed in the literature to reduce birth fear, data on the effectiveness of digital educational tools like podcasts in this domain is insufficient. This research aims to fill an important gap by evaluating the effect of a podcast series on birth fear in couples. The purpose of this study is to examine how a podcast series focused on birth fear impacts birth fear, anxiety, and postpartum depression in couples.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| podcast | Experimental | Behavioral: podcast trainingIn accordance with the established training program for participants, a four-phase podcast listening process aimed at reducing birth fear will be implemented. The first podcast will be launched at the 33rd week of pregnancy, with the goal of helping participants gain information about the childbirth process and reduce their anxiety. Following that, a second podcast will be played at the 34th week of pregnancy, focusing on supporting psychological preparation for childbirth. The third podcast, to be implemented at the 35th week, will address topics such as relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that can be used during labor. Finally, the fourth podcast, played at the 36th week, will emphasize the importance of positive thinking and partner support during labor. To evaluate the effectiveness of the podcast sessions, psychological status and partner support scales will be applied at specific weeks. |
| control | No intervention | –Participants in the control group will not be provided with any podcast sessions; they will continue to benefit only from routine pregnancy follow-ups and existing healthcare services. This group will progress through the natural course without any special interventions, and standard prenatal care procedures will be applied. To measure changes in participants' birth fear and psychological conditions, data will be collected by applying specific scales at the 32nd, 37th, and 39th weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, the same scales will be used on the 2nd postpartum day to assess participants' psychological conditions after childbirth. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- 19-35 years old married primiparous 2nd trimester pregnant women
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Pregnant women with risky pregnancies illiteracy problems with internet access visual and hearing impairment
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| podcast trainingIn accordance with the established training program for participants, a four-phase podcast listening process aimed at reducing birth fear will be implemented. The first podcast will be launched at the 33rd week of pregnancy, with the goal of helping participants gain information about the childbirth process and reduce their anxiety. Following that, a second podcast will be played at the 34th week of pregnancy, focusing on supporting psychological preparation for childbirth. The third podcast, to be implemented at the 35th week, will address topics such as relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that can be used during labor. Finally, the fourth podcast, played at the 36th week, will emphasize the importance of positive thinking and partner support during labor. To evaluate the effectiveness of the podcast sessions, psychological status and partner support scales will be applied at specific weeks. | Behavioural | podcast |
Primary outcome
Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ)
Time frame: 8 month
This scale measures fear and expectations related to childbirth. Form A focuses on measuring fear of childbirth during pregnancy, while Form B assesses the postpartum process. The W-DEQ-A Form consists of 33 items. Low fear and anxiety are scored between 33-55 points, moderate fear and anxiety between 56-80 points, and high fear and anxiety between 81-165 points. It has three subscales: "Fear and Anxiety of Childbirth," "Expectations Regarding Childbirth," and "Emotional Responses to the Birth Process." The W-DEQ-B Form consists of 14 items across three subscales: "Fear of Childbirth," "Physical Reactions," and "Psychological Reactions." Low fear is scored between 14-28 points, moderate fear between 29-49 points, and high fear between 50-70 points.
1 secondary outcome
Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale:
Time frame: 8 month
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Nov 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 36791987Cai F, McCabe M, Srinivas SK. A randomized trial assessing the impact of educational podcasts on personal control and satisfaction during childbirth. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 May;228(5):592.e1-592.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.01.021. Epub 2023 Feb 13.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The data will not be shared due to privacy concerns and the protection of participant confidentiality. Additionally, there are no plans to make the data publicly available as the study is ongoing and the analysis is still in progress.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing podcast training in people with Pregnancy and Birth Fear, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ) (time frame: 8 month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06929975, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Nov 2026.