Effect of Artificial Intelligence-Based Education Before Planned Cesarean Section on Surgical Fear, Anxiety, and Postpartum Comfort Levels of Primigravida Women

The frequency of cesarean sections is increasing worldwide .The WHO reports that approximately 18.6 million cesarean sections are performed annually. The frequency of cesarean sections in Turkey is increasing annually. According to the 2021 Health Statistics Yearbook, the rate of cesarean sections among live births is 58.4%, while the rate of primary cesarean sections among live births is 29.1%. These rates are significantly higher than the ideal cesarean rate, which is set by the WHO as 10-15%.

While there are many known reasons for the increase in cesarean sections, more than 80% of women experience fear and anxiety before and during cesarean sections. A significant portion of women undergoing cesarean sections experience high levels of anxiety before the procedure . Research shows that 63-86% of women undergoing a cesarean section have higher levels of fear and anxiety compared to those undergoing general surgery. Anxiety related to cesarean surgery has been associated with physiological and psychological risks. Fear and anxiety experienced before a cesarean section can affect hormone levels and trigger responses from both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Consequently, these responses can lead to increased blood pressure and heart rate and cardiac arrhythmia. Furthermore, excessive fear and anxiety before and during surgery can lead to anesthesia complications, increased need for postoperative pain relief, prolonged recovery, delayed breastfeeding initiation and discharge, higher costs, and decreased satisfaction with the birth experience .Therefore, addressing and reducing fear and anxiety related to cesarean section is crucial, as lower levels of fear and anxiety before and during surgery have been linked to greater maternal satisfaction and a more positive overall birth experience. Managing fear and anxiety can be approached with both pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological methods. While widely used, pharmaceutical approaches can be expensive, sometimes painful, and carry the risk of potential adverse effects on the fetus if they cross the placenta..Therefore, there is a focus on using non-pharmacological techniques to alleviate fear and anxiety in women undergoing cesarean section . Education is a powerful example. Recently, the use of artificial intelligence has increased, and many people have begun using AI for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum processes.

Given the high incidence of cesarean sections and the prevalence of anxiety and fear as psychological symptoms, providing comfort support to women is crucial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of informing primigaravida women with artificial intelligence before planned cesarean section on their surgical fear, anxiety and postpartum comfort levels.

Inclusion criteria

• Are between 18 and 35 years of age
• Are primigravida
• Are applying for a planned cesarean section
• Have a live singleton pregnancy
• Are scheduled for spinal anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

• Women with known mental health problems,
• Those who have performed relaxation exercises during pregnancy,
• Women who have developed maternal or neonatal complications after birth,
• Those who have received general anesthesia.