It’s an exciting day for the GentleBirth Team! Our research has just been published in the International Journal of Perinatal Education.

The study titled "Brain Training to Facilitate Labor and Birth: Impact of a Mobile Health Application" provides compelling evidence on the benefits of using cognitive training strategies, including mindfulness-based techniques and pain neuroscience education (PNE), during pregnancy. Delivered through the GentleBirth app, these interventions showed significant improvements in pain knowledge, childbirth self-efficacy, and labor coping, which ultimately led to more favorable birth outcomes.

Study Design and Participants

The study involved 240 first-time mothers who were planning a physiological birth (during Covid). These participants were recruited from various sources, including social media, perinatal care clinics, and virtual communities like GentleBirth. They were between 13 and 37 weeks’ gestation, with exclusion criteria including complicated pregnancies and limited English language skills.

Protocols and Intervention

Participants used the GentleBirth app, which combined childbirth education with daily cognitive training exercises tailored to their gestational age. These exercises incorporated mindfulness, hypnosis, breathing techniques, and positive affirmations. Additionally, a 60-minute PNE course was provided to help participants better understand the role of pain during labor and how to manage it effectively.

The intervention aimed to:

• Enhance birth-related self-efficacy

• Reduce birth-related fear

• Minimize the use of pharmacological interventions

• Lower birth-related emotional distress

Participants’ adherence was monitored by tracking their engagement with the app and completion of the PNE course. Biweekly emails and supplementary materials, including a guidebook and workbook, were provided to reinforce the training.

Outcomes

The study reported several key outcomes:

• Pain Knowledge: Participants showed a significant increase in pain knowledge from baseline to postintervention and postbirth. This improvement was consistent across different levels of adherence.

• Childbirth Self-Efficacy: There was a marked increase in childbirth self-efficacy, particularly among those who engaged more with the app. This was directly linked to better coping abilities during labor.

• Labor Coping: Postbirth, participants rated their labor coping ability highly, with an average score of 7.48 out of 10.

• Birth Outcomes: The study recorded an 84.89% rate of vaginal births among participants, significantly higher than national averages in Canada, the United States, and Ireland. Additionally, the rate of epidural use was notably lower (48.2%) compared to these national averages.

Participants who were more engaged with the app and completed a higher percentage of the PNE course generally experienced better outcomes. Many participants also used nonpharmacological pain management strategies, with cognitive processes being a key method for modulating pain during labor. (If you’ve been neglecting your app practice - it’s time to jump back in!

Key Insights

This study highlights the importance of choosing birth preparation methods that go beyond mere knowledge transfer. Traditional childbirth education may not be sufficient in preparing expectant mothers for a positive birth experience. The GentleBirth approach, which integrates mindfulness and cognitive training, not only enhances confidence and coping mechanisms but also leads to better birth outcomes.

Impact on Maternal and Infant Health

While the study focused on improving maternal outcomes, it is crucial to consider the broader impact on both maternal and infant health. The positive effects of increased self-efficacy, reduced fear, and better labor coping extend beyond the mother, potentially contributing to healthier, more positive outcomes for the infant as well. The GentleBirth approach, therefore, presents a holistic strategy that supports the well-being of both mother and baby, underscoring the importance of comprehensive birth preparation programs.

***Note that this study happened during Covid when some moms may not have had a partner present for much/all of their labor making these results even more impressive***