The effects of a childbirth preparation course on birth outcomes among nulliparous Jordanian women.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a childbirth preparation course on birth outcomes among nulliparous Jordanian women.

DESIGN

A randomized control trial pre-test/post-test design was used to assess the effects of a childbirth preparation course conducted in a military hospital in Amman, Jordan from 1 July to 15 September 2016. A total of 133 low-risk nulliparous women were recruited and randomly assigned to either (1) a control group who received standard care in antenatal clinics or (2) an intervention group who received standard care in antenatal clinics as well as a childbirth preparation course specifically designed for the purpose of this study. Data were collected at two different time points: at recruitment and within 24 to 48 h after giving birth. The chi-square test and independent sample t-test were used to compare birth outcomes.

PARTICIPANTS

Low-risk nulliparous women in their third trimester of pregnancy attending antenatal clinics at King Hussein Medical Centre in Amman, the capital of Jordan.

MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS

The childbirth preparation course had a positive effect on three birth outcomes. Specifically, more women in the intervention group than in the control group had spontaneous onset of labour (89.0% vs 70.3%, p = .02), the average of cervical dilation was greater in the intervention group than in the control group [(mean = 3.8, SD = 1.55) vs (mean = 3.2, SD = 1.61); t = 2.24, p = .03] and there was earlier initiation of breastfeeding in the intervention group than in the control group [(mean = 6.2, SD = 0.4.43) vs (mean = 17.8, SD = 18.08); t = 4.90, p ≤ 01].

KEY CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that the childbirth preparation course increased the likelihood of pregnant women having spontaneous onset of labour and arriving at the maternity ward in active labour. Moreover, it helped them to initiate breastfeeding earlier after birth. No effect was found for other birth outcomes or neonatal outcomes. Further studies with a larger sample are needed to obtain more definitive conclusions.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

It is recommended that policymakers and administrators facilitate the embedding of this childbirth preparation course into antenatal care to improve maternal and neonatal health.