Listening to mothers: take two

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The "Listening to Mothers II" survey examined contemporary U.S. women's childbearing experiences.
• Childbirth in the U.S. is characterized by high intervention rates, with less than 2% of births adhering to practices supporting normal birth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact and reach of childbirth education.
• To understand women's information-seeking behaviors during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the Second National U.S. Survey of Women's Childbearing Experiences.
• Survey included questions on childbirth education attendance, information sources, and birth experiences.

Main Results:

• Only slightly over half of women attended childbirth education classes.
• The internet was the primary information source for 78% of women.
• Attending classes increased maternal confidence and reduced fear of medical interventions.

Conclusions:

• Childbirth education positively impacts maternal confidence and fear of interventions.
• The low percentage of normal births highlights a need to promote evidence-based practices.
• Findings have significant implications for improving childbirth education strategies.