The effect of attending a prenatal childbirth preparedness course on labor duration and outcomes

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of attending a prenatal childbirth preparation course (CPC) on labor duration and outcomes. Methods: A cross sectional study of 53 primiparous women who attended and 54 women who did not attend a CPC was conducted. The state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) score was used to diagnose anxiety. Clinical and obstetrical data were collected from the perinatal database of our center. Through post-partum interviews, coping strategies were assessed, patients graded their childbirth experience and breastfeeding was evaluated. Data were analyzed using description analyses and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The STAI score was significantly lower in the study group compared with controls (P=0.025). The first stage and the entire duration of labor were significantly shorter (P=0.036 and P=0.026, respectively) in women who attended the CPC. No significant differences were found with regard to the mode of delivery, rate of episiotomy, use of analgesics and neonatal outcomes between the groups. Women in the study group rated their labor experience significantly higher (P=0.016) and exhibited significantly higher rates of breastfeeding (P<0.001) than controls. Conclusions: The knowledge acquired in the CPC has positive effects on the course of labor and delivery outcomes as well as higher rates of breastfeeding.