Information giving and education in pregnancy: a review of qualitative studies

Mary L Nolan1

  • 1MARY L. NOLAN is Professor of Perinatal Education in the Institute of Health and Society at the University of Worcester in the United Kingdom. She is also a senior tutor with the National Childbirth Trust of the United Kingdom, the largest European, voluntary organization concerned with providing information to pregnant and new parents.

Studies of childbirth education have universally failed to take into account the quality of the education provided to women and their families and whether its style of delivery meets women's preferences and needs. The present study sought to determine which educational approaches are most welcomed by women and most helpful to them in learning about labor, birth, and early parenting. A systematic survey of peer-reviewed studies on antenatal education, published in English from 1996-2006 and which sought women's views and experiences, was conducted. Findings confirm women's preference for a small-group learning environment in which they can talk to each other as well as the educator and can relate information to their individual circumstances.

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