Novela Eka Candra Dewi, Desinta Dwi Jatmiko, Dina Fitrianingsih, Dina Khoirun Nisa', Dinda Dwi Lestari, Dini Febrianti

Pengaruh Relaksasi Napas dalam Sebagai Intervensi Non Farmakologis terhadap Penurunan Kecemasan pada Ibu Hamil

Introduction

Pengaruh relaksasi napas dalam sebagai intervensi non farmakologis terhadap penurunan kecemasan pada ibu hamil. Kaji efektivitas relaksasi napas dalam menurunkan kecemasan ibu hamil trimester ketiga. Studi ini menunjukkan penurunan signifikan kecemasan, sangat direkomendasikan dalam program antenatal.

Abstract

The third trimester of pregnancy is often marked by heightened anxiety as mothers approach childbirth. Unmanaged anxiety may negatively affect both maternal psychological well-being and fetal health. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of deep breathing relaxation in reducing anxiety among third-trimester pregnant women. A pre-experimental design with one-group pretest–posttest was applied to 24 eligible participants. The intervention consisted of deep breathing exercises conducted for two weeks, 2–3 times per week, each lasting 10–15 minutes. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). Results revealed a decrease in mean anxiety scores from 11.12 (pretest) to 8.08 (posttest), with a mean reduction of 3.04 points. The Wilcoxon test showed a significant difference (p = 0.000, p < 0.05) between pre- and post-intervention scores. These findings confirm that deep breathing relaxation is effective in lowering anxiety during the third trimester of pregnancy. Practical implications highlight the importance of incorporating this technique into antenatal care programs, not only as a relaxation strategy but also as a structured component of maternal education and psychological support prior to delivery.

Review

This study effectively addresses a pertinent issue within maternal health: the heightened anxiety experienced by women in their third trimester of pregnancy. The objective to evaluate deep breathing relaxation as a non-pharmacological intervention for anxiety reduction is clear and timely, given the potential negative impacts on both maternal and fetal well-being. The research employed a pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest–posttest approach on 24 participants, utilizing the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) for assessment. The significant reduction in mean anxiety scores from 11.12 to 8.08, confirmed by a Wilcoxon test (p = 0.000), strongly suggests the immediate effectiveness of the deep breathing exercises. The practical implications, advocating for integration into antenatal care, are well-articulated and highlight the potential for this simple technique to provide valuable psychological support. While the findings are statistically significant and promising, the methodological design presents several limitations that temper the strength of the causal claims. The pre-experimental, one-group pretest–posttest design lacks a control group, making it difficult to definitively attribute the observed anxiety reduction solely to the deep breathing intervention. Other factors, such as the natural course of anxiety, participant expectation (placebo effect), or simply the attention received, cannot be entirely ruled out. Furthermore, the relatively small sample size of 24 participants limits the generalizability of the findings to a broader population of pregnant women. Future research would benefit from addressing these design weaknesses to provide more robust evidence. Despite these methodological considerations, the study provides valuable preliminary evidence supporting the utility of deep breathing relaxation in mitigating third-trimester anxiety. It serves as a strong foundation for further, more rigorous investigation. To build upon these findings, future research should consider employing a randomized controlled trial design with a larger and more diverse sample, including a control group (e.g., usual care or an alternative intervention). Incorporating longer follow-up periods would also be beneficial to assess the sustained effects of the intervention. This work contributes meaningfully to the discussion around non-pharmacological interventions in maternal health and sets a clear direction for establishing deep breathing as an evidence-based component of comprehensive antenatal care.

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