The effect of prenatal preparation classes on the choice of the delivery method

Abstract

Background: Childbirth is a natural phenomenon without the medical intervention but someone a cesarean section is necessary when a vaginal delivery might put mother and baby at risk. Given the increased rate of cesarean section and post-operative complications, prolonged recovery, high cost of labor through surgery, Childbirth education classes can prepare parents for normal or complicated labor and delivery. This study aimed to investigate the effect of delivery preparation classes on choosing a delivery method. Methods: This study compared the experimental and control groups of pregnant women who were referred to Zabol health centers and it was performed from May 2017 to November 2017. The statistical population included 70 pregnant women of which 35 cases were selected as the experimental group and 35 cases as the control group. For the experimental group, 8 sessions of counseling and training for natural childbirth were held. Data in two stages were collected. Up until the end of pregnancy, both groups were followed and the method of delivery was evaluated. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test in SPSS software, version 23 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Based on the obtained data, it was observed that out of the participants in the training classes, 5 cases (14.3%) had cesarean section and and 30 cases (85.7%) had a normal delivery. 18 cases (51.4%) of the control group had the natural method and 17 cases (48.6%) were delivered by cesarean section. It was observed that there was a significant difference between the control and intervention groups in the type of delivery method, therefore, 85.7% of the intervention groups had a normal delivery (P=0.002). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that participation in childbirth preparation classes were influenced for the choice of delivery.

Keywords

• delivery
• prenatal education
• pregnancy.