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Early antenatal counseling in the outpatient setting for high-risk pregnancies: a randomized control trial

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 1595–1604 (2021)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives

Determine if antenatal counseling delivered in the outpatient setting improves parental knowledge and satisfaction without contributing to anxiety.

Study design

Randomized control trial at a large academic institution. Mothers at risk for preterm delivery were enrolled following routine maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) visits and randomized to early antenatal counseling of prematurity or standard counseling by MFM providers. The primary outcome was parental knowledge of prematurity. Secondary outcomes included parental satisfaction, anxiety scores, and compliance with recommended follow-up.

Results

Seventy-six women were enrolled, 38 in each group. Early counseling group had higher knowledge scores (86.3 vs 64.3, p = <0.001) and parental satisfaction (p = 0.003). Anxiety scores were similar between the two groups (38.2 vs 40.4, p = 0.53). No difference was noted in compliance with follow-up.

Conclusions

Antenatal counseling in the high-risk outpatient setting improved parental knowledge and satisfaction without leading to increased anxiety.

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Fig. 1: Flow diagram.
Fig. 2: Parent satisfaction with early counseling.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the members of the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital Parent Partnership Council for their assistance in the development of the educational materials and the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department at University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center for their support of the project.

Funding

This project received funding from the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Foundation Fellowship Research Award Program (FRAP) Grant, as well as a donation from the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Parent Partnership Council.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Rebecca Fish, Moira Crowley & Kristin Voos

  2. University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Ashley Weber

  3. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Melissa March

  4. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Cheryl Thompson

Authors
  1. Rebecca Fish
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  2. Ashley Weber
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rebecca Fish.

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Fish, R., Weber, A., Crowley, M. et al. Early antenatal counseling in the outpatient setting for high-risk pregnancies: a randomized control trial. J Perinatol 41, 1595–1604 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-00933-x

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