Antenatal education for cesarean birth: extension of a field test

An exploratory study was conducted to compare responses of vaginally delivered and cesarean-delivered parents to an antenatal educational program of cesarean birth information and to determine the feasibility of incorporating the educational program into Lamaze childbirth preparation classes. Fifty-eight pregnant women and 57 male partners received the educational program. Mailed questionnaires were returned by 44 women and 42 men, representing 13 of the 15 cesarean deliveries and 31 of the 43 vaginal deliveries experienced by class participants. Findings indicated that the educational program met most of the parents' information needs, regardless of method of delivery. Study results suggest that childbirth educators must continue to seek ways to prepare expectant parents for unanticipated cesarean birth without causing undue distress.