The effectiveness of antenatal education

Abstract

A SURVEY of antenatal education methods, their uptake and value was un dertaken in Cardiff. Seven hundred and forty four women were interviewed during their first pregnan cies. The effectiveness of an tenatal education was assessed objectively in terms of acquisition of knowledge and the level of anxiety at the time of first attendance, at 35 weeks gestation, and soon after the birth of the baby. Initial knowledge and its acquisition during pregnancy was particularly poor in the lower socio-economic groups and in younger women. In these patients reading dif ficulties were common. Mothercraft classes were beneficial, but attendance by those most in need was very poor. Acquisition of knowledge by any means, including attendance at mothercraft classes, reduced maternal anxiety in late pregnancy. Suggestions for improving the nature and delivery of antenatal education are made.