Benefits of Childbirth Education
Many research studies have shown both tangible and intangible benefits to childbirth education. Below is a summary of some of the studies outlining the benefits to mothers, their babies, and the fathers who attend classes.
In 1990, researchers compared two groups matched on race, patient type (private or public), marital status, age, parity and socioeconomic status. One group attended childbirth classes while the other did not. Those who attended classes were more likely to give birth without pain-relief medication. They were also significantly more likely to have spontaneous births (79% versus 51%).1
One study carried out in the UK in 1999 focused on the needs of fathers and how these were addressed in childbirth classes. The researchers found that men found classes beneficial when they acknowledged the role of the labor supporter (in this case the father).2
Studies carried out over a three month period at one hospital found that women who did not attend childbirth classes were significantly more likely to be admitted to hospital when not in established labor than women who had attended 4-6 childbirth classes during pregnancy.
References
1. Hetherington, S., 1990, ‘A Controlled Study of the Effect of Prepared Childbirth Classes on Obstetric Outcomes’, Birth, Vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 86-91.
2. Smith, J., 1999, ‘Antenatal classes and the transition to fatherhood: A study of some father’s views’, MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 327-330.
Many research studies have shown both tangible and intangible benefits to childbirth education. Below is a summary of some of the studies outlining the benefits to mothers, their babies, and the fathers who attend classes.
In 1990, researchers compared two groups matched on race, patient type (private or public), marital status, age, parity and socioeconomic status. One group attended childbirth classes while the other did not. Those who attended classes were more likely to give birth without pain-relief medication. They were also significantly more likely to have spontaneous births (79% versus 51%).1
One study carried out in the UK in 1999 focused on the needs of fathers and how these were addressed in childbirth classes. The researchers found that men found classes beneficial when they acknowledged the role of the labor supporter (in this case the father).2
Studies carried out over a three month period at one hospital found that women who did not attend childbirth classes were significantly more likely to be admitted to hospital when not in established labor than women who had attended 4-6 childbirth classes during pregnancy.
References
1. Hetherington, S., 1990, ‘A Controlled Study of the Effect of Prepared Childbirth Classes on Obstetric Outcomes’, Birth, Vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 86-91.
2. Smith, J., 1999, ‘Antenatal classes and the transition to fatherhood: A study of some father’s views’, MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 327-330.