Mahnaz Nosratabadi - Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
Zahra Abbaspoor - Department of Midwifery, Reproductive health promotion Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Aziz Kassani - Department of Community Medicine. School of Medicine , Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran

Background: Although childbirth is a natural process, the choice of birth method is one of the concerns of pregnant women. Proper counseling for pregnant women can ensure a safe and healthy delivery.Objective: This study We aimed to compare the effects of group and face-to-face health counseling on the attitude of mode of delivery and reduction of Cesarean section in pregnant women.Methods: This study was a comparative randomized controlled trial that was conducted in health centers of Dezful city, in the south west of Iran from April to October ۲۰۱۶. Participants in the study included ۱۵۰ pregnant women who had no contraindications for normal vaginal delivery, but opted for a cesarean delivery. Initially, multi-stage sampling method was used based on the study objectives, and then the participants were randomly assigned into three groups: group counseling, face-to-face, and control. Demographic characteristics and attitude questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were analyzed through SPSS ۲۲ using One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and Chi-square, ANOVA, McNemar, and t- tests. The P< value less than ۰.۰۵ was considered significant.Results: All the participants (۱۰۰%) in the face-to-face counseling group, ۹۲% in the group counseling, and ۱۲% in the control group changed their selected birth method to vaginal delivery after the consultation.In terms of attitude level, there was a significant difference in all three study groups before and after theintervention (P < ۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: The face-to-face as well as the group health counseling sessions promoted the attitude ofpregnant women to the normal vaginal delivery. Individual counseling for people who cannot coordinatewith the group is better than group counseling. This way more pregnant women can be consulted.

Counseling, Aattitude, Birth method