Childbirth Education and Obstetric Interventions Among Low-Risk Canadian Women: Is There a Connection?

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the associations between attendance at childbirth education classes and maternal characteristics (age, income, educational level, single parent status), maternal psychological states (fear of birth, anxiety), rates of obstetric interventions, and breastfeeding initiation. Between women's 35th and 39th weeks of gestation, we collected survey data about their childbirth fear, anxiety, attendance at childbirth education classes, choice of health-care provider, and expectations for interventions; we then linked women's responses (n 5 624) to their intrapartum records obtained through Perinatal Services British Columbia. Older, more educated, and nulliparous women were more likely to attend childbirth education classes than younger, less educated, and multiparous women. Attending prenatal education classes was associated with higher rates of vaginal births among women in the study sample. Rates of labor induction and augmentation and use of epidural anesthesia were not significantly associated with attendance at childbirth education classes. Future studies might explore the effect of specialized education programs on rates of interventions during labor and mode of birth.

Effects of Prenatal Education on Fear of Childbirth

“…The British study indicated that attendance at childbirth education classes was related to a significantly lower caesarean section rate, among multiparous women who attended in childbirth classes attempted more than twice as many vaginal birth after caesarean. 4 Women in control group in this study, the majority of women who stated that women's fear of childbirth related to labour pain, emergency cesarean, fear of death, baby with disabled and malformation, loss of control, perineal and vaginal tears and unfriendly staff maternity hospital. In Finland study indicated that causes of fear were emergency cesarean section, child's and mother's well-being, childbirth and family life and 78% pregnant women stated fears related to pregnancy and childbirth.…”

“…In other experimental studies on the same topic, women who attended pregnant education classes were found to have less fear of childbirth. 4,6,10 In Finland study reported that pregnant women in antenatal education group had less fear of childbirth than those in the control group. 9 Fabian and colleagues reported that the majority of women (74%) found antenatal education classes helpful in preparing for childbirth and early parenthood.…”

“…Stoll et al reported that nulliparas who did not attended classes were 23.0% and multiparas who did not attended classes were 25.9%, ın other words, fear of childbirth scores did not differ between attenders and non-attenders. 4 In the world, when measured by the WDEQ-A the prevalence of high levels of childbirth fear (score ≥66) is reported 25% in Canada, 26% in Sweden, 27% in Australia. 13,19 But, there are no studies on the prevalence of fear of childbirth in Turkey.…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6] Koehn reported that childbirth education less infant mortality, less discomfort and less disability. 7 Previous studies have shown that benefits these classes reduced fear of childbirth, helpful in preparing for childbirth and early parenthood, higher likelihood breastfeeding, increased birth satisfaction, decreased need for analgesic medication.…”

“…7 Previous studies have shown that benefits these classes reduced fear of childbirth, helpful in preparing for childbirth and early parenthood, higher likelihood breastfeeding, increased birth satisfaction, decreased need for analgesic medication. 4,6,[8][9][10] Pregnant education and childbirth classes in Turkey, are organized by health care professionals and childbirth educators. The professionals usually consists of a gynecologist, a midwife, dietitian, a psychologist and childbirth educators.…”