Parents' expectations about participating in antenatal parenthood education classes

Area of Science:

• Maternal and Child Health
• Sociology of Health
• Parent Education

Background:

• Antenatal education is crucial for preparing expectant parents for childbirth and early parenthood.
• Understanding parental expectations can optimize the effectiveness and relevance of antenatal classes.
• Socio-demographic factors may influence expectations regarding antenatal education content and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate parents' expectations for participating in antenatal parenthood education.
• To investigate the relationship between parental expectations and demographic factors like gender, age, and education.
• To identify desired content areas within antenatal education programs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1,117 women and 1,019 partners from three Swedish cities.
• Data collection via questionnaires assessing expectations about antenatal education.
• Statistical analysis to explore associations between expectations and demographic variables.

Main Results:

• Participants anticipated increased parental security and better childbirth orientation from antenatal classes.
• Men reported more positive expectations regarding childbirth compared to women.
• Key desired content included preparation for parenthood, infant care skills, and childbirth preparation.
• Gender, age, and educational level significantly affected participants' expectations.

Conclusions:

• Expectant parents seek enhanced preparation for the role of parenthood, beyond just childbirth.
• Antenatal education programs should consider tailoring content to address diverse parental expectations.
• Demographic factors are important considerations for designing effective and inclusive antenatal education.