EVALUATION OF CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASS IN KOKHA HOSPITAL, THAILAND

Abstract

This evaluation study used a descriptive research design to 1) assess the effectiveness of childbirth preparation class regarding knowledge, the antenatal practice of taught pregnancy and birthing skills 2) type of birth and 3) study the satisfaction of the women participating in the childbirth preparation class. Participants were 46 pregnant women with gestational age between 24 and 39 weeks, 28 husbands, and seven relatives. Data on antenatal birthing skill practice was retrieved from childbirth preparation class manual, whereas satisfaction and use of birthing skills during labor were collected from a separate questionnaire. Birthing data were extracted from hospitals’ electronic record. We performed the descriptive statistical analysis.

Results:

1. The women’s mean of age was 26.63 years old, and at that time they first enrolled in the class. Half of them had a first-time pregnancy, 44.4% ware housewives, 58.7% finished junior high school/beginning a vocational education, and 80% of them had their husbands participating in the class.
2. The effectiveness of the program was found that 91.3% of the women reported a high level of knowledge and 93.5% reported high confidence in using the taught skills during pregnancy and labor immediately after the class:
     2.1 The majority of the women consistently practiced taught skills at least three times a week, except crawling and mindfulness-based pain management which were least practiced. They reported the active involvement of husband and other relatives during practicing skills.
     2.2 During birthing, the majority women, used the taught birthing skills, except mindfulness-based pain management which was not used.
3. Thirty-four women (73.9%) had normal delivery.
4. There was a high level of satisfaction in attending the class at 95.7%, and the intention to participate in the next class was 67.4%.