Effect of implementing a dignity-based maternity care program versus control group on fear of childbirth and childbirth satisfaction among mothers referring to the labor and delivery unit: a single-blind randomized clinical trial

To assess the effect of implementing a dignity-based maternity care program versus control group on fear of childbirth and childbirth satisfaction among mothers referring to the labor and delivery unit

This is a single-blind randomized clinical trial with a control group with parallel groups, in which 62 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups using block randomization.

This study will be conducted at the Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan, involving 62 eligible mothers referring to the labor and delivery unit. The patients will be randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups through the block randomization. This trial will be single-blinded.

Inclusion criteria: Age 18–45 years, Primiparity (first-time mother), Gestational age of 37–42 weeks, Planned vaginal delivery, Singleton pregnancy, Normal, low-risk pregnancy, Exclusion Criteria: History of miscarriage or stillbirth, History of infertility, Any chronic medical conditions, Psychiatric disorders, Birth of an infant with an Apgar score of less than 7 at 5 minutes

Intervention group: Routine clinical care standard in the labor and delivery unit, supplemented by a "maternal dignity-based" care program—implemented from admission through discharge Control Group: Routine clinical care standard in the labor and delivery unit

Primary outcome: Fear of childbirth score, Maternal satisfaction score

In this study, random assignment of patients to the intervention and control groups will be carried out using block randomization. To achieve this, four sheets of paper will be prepared - two with the name of the intervention and two with the name of the control. These paper sheets will be pooled and placed in a container. Patients will be selected one at a time without replacement, and for each patient, a paper sheet will be randomly drawn from the container. After each draw, the paper sheets will be returned to the container, and the process will be repeated until the desired sample size is reached.

The randomization process will be conducted by a separate individual from the one who examines the patients, ensuring that the examining person remains unaware of the intervention. Therefore, the trial will be conducted as a single-blind study.