Iranian Journal of Medical Education

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Introduction: Physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, could lead to family arguments and violence which may cause untimely delivery, premature neonate, and post partum depression. This study was performed to determine the effect of educating about common changes of pregnancy period and coping with them on marital satisfaction of pregnant women referring to health centers of Shahrbabak. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed using one group design, with pre and post tests. Data was gathered by Enriching, Relationship, Issues, Communication and Happiness (ENRICH) question-naire from 112 pregnant women who met the entrance criteria and were selected by random stratified sampling method from three health centers. The intervention was as introducing an educational pamphlet. The marital satisfaction was evaluated before and one month after intervention. Then, the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics indices, Wilcoxon, t-test, Mann Whitney U test, ANOVA, and Kruskal Wallis test. Results: Comparing the mean scores demonstrated a significant enhancement after receiving information, so that the marital satisfaction score increased from 168.828 into 187.318.2 points. In comparing the mean differences based on variables of gravidity, gestational age, employment status of pregnant woman and her spouse, beauty concerns, and enjoying familial support also a significant difference was observed. Conclusion: The results of this study signify the necessity of couples' awareness about common changes during pregnancy period. Hence, by doing so, health providers can play an active role in increasing marital satisfaction.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Awareness, Common changes, Adaptation, Marital satisfaction, ENRICH questionnaire

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