Admission to delivery suites: the importance of antenatal education

Abstract

This article discusses the challenges in ensuring women have appropriate education to guide their decision on when to present to hospital during labour. Unnecessary admission to the delivery suite can cause overcrowding, which may affect the services provided to women in active labour. Pregnancy is a demanding and sometimes overwhelming experience and women's fears can be compounded if they do not know what to expect from labour. Antenatal education to inform women on the signs and symptoms of the first stage of labour, and how to recognise deviations from normal, is vital in encapsulating holistic antenatal care. Therefore, antenatal education is integral to positive pregnancy outcomes, enhancing women's ability to take control of their pregnancy by undertaking self-management at home prior to the onset of active labour and their confidence in coming to the delivery suite at the appropriate time.