Examining the birth experiences of women with and without prenatal education: A qualitative study

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the intrapartum experiences of nulliparous Turkish women who participated childbirth education classes and only engaged in routine prenatal care. Material and methods: The study was conducted in a Family Health Center in primary health care service in a metropolitan city in Turkey between October 2015 and June 2016. Women engaged in routine prenatal care (RPC group) (n=17) and women participating in childbirth education classes (CEC group) (n=14) at the maternity unit were included in the study via a purposive sampling method. Data were collected in semi-structured one-on-one interviews with participants. Data were collected by The Socio-Demographic and Obstetric Information Form and The Semi-Structured Interview Form. Number, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used to evaluate descriptive data. Results: The average age of the 31 women participating was 29.33±3.75. Within the sample population, majority had an education level of university (67.74%) and a nuclear family structure (90.32%). There was no significant difference (p>.05) between the socio-demographic characteristics of both groups. Of the women participating in CEC, 92.8% in the lithotomy position; none of them received anesthesia. Within this group, 50% received no intervention during labor, while 42.86% received fundal pressure, and episiotomy was applied to 21.43% of participants. All women engaged only in RPC had their birth in the lithotomy position, and 11.76% of them received epidural anesthesia. Interventions applied included episiotomy (76.47%), induced labor (70.59%), fundal pressure (58.82%), continuous Non Stress Test (NST) (58.82%), continuous intravenous infusion (52.94%), and enema (47.05%). The statements analyzed were classified under four themes: (1) satisfaction, (2) compliance with birthing positions, (3) intrinsic concentration and (4) participant control of decision-making. Conclusion: The childbirth education classes group reported that was implemented the less intrapartum intervention, greater satisfaction, fewer distractions, greater participation in active decision-making, and a greater tendency to use non-pharmacological methods. In contrast, the routine prenatal care group mostly reported passive participation, difficulty in pain and contraction control, and greater dissatisfaction.