USA Today Examines Decline In Attendance, Duration Of Birthing Classes

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 09 Jan 2008 - 8:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

USA Today on Monday examined the decline in attendance and duration of birthing classes, including Lamaze and generic hospital classes. The classes became a "mainstream rite of passage" as women embraced the "natural childbirth" era of the 1980s, according to USA Today. However, a recent study conducted by the not-for-profit group Childbirth Connection found that attendance in classes dropped steadily from 70% of first-time pregnant women in 2000 to 56% in 2005. The study also found that only 9% of women who were previously pregnant attended the classes, while 68% of pregnant women watched cable television birthing shows. In addition, the study found that classes were the "most important source of information" for only 10% of the first-time pregnant women. Books, friends, the Internet and physicians rated higher, according to the study.

In another study published in the December issue of the Journal of Perinatal Education, researchers observed 11 Seattle-area childbirth courses and interviewed the instructors. Christine Morton, a researcher involved in the study, said the researchers found mismatched expectations. Educators said that students wanted quick, "just-the-facts" classes and were not interested in nondrug methods of pain relief, according to the study. Marjie Hathaway -- co-director of the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth, which teaches natural birthing known as the "Bradley method" -- said, "A lot of women feel like if they are going to have the epidural or going to have [caesarean section deliveries], then why bother with classes?" She added that couples who strongly favor minimal medical intervention remain interested in her group's classes. "Some hospitals are stopping their classes," Hathaway said, adding, "But our classes are just as full as ever" (Painter, USA Today, 1/7).

The Journal of Perinatal Education study is available online.

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

© 2007 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.