Skip to search boxSkip to navigationSkip to main content

Influence of antenatal education on birth outcomes: a systematic review focusing on primiparous women

  • Anna-Maria Athinaidou
    ,
  • Eirini Vounatsou
    ,
  • Ilianna Pappa
    ,
  • Vikentia C. Harizopoulou
    ,
  • Antigoni Sarantaki
Research Output: Contribution to journal Review article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

The primary objective of prenatal education programs is to furnish expectant mothers with the necessary knowledge for childbirth and early parenting. Despite the extensive implementation of these programs, the efficacy of these interventions remains unclear. This systematic review endeavored to consolidate the extant evidence pertaining to the effects of prenatal education on birth outcomes and experiences. Fourteen studies, comprising various study designs executed across diverse countries, were incorporated in this review. The outcomes assessed in these studies encompassed fear and anxiety, pain, delivery mode, interventions, postpartum depression, and self-efficacy. Additionally, the risk of bias and study limitations were also summarized. The results manifested that prenatal education was effective in diminishing the fear and anxiety associated with childbirth and enhancing self-efficacy in the majority of the studies. Moreover, several studies found that engaging in prenatal education augmented the preference for unmedicated vaginal birth. However, the effects of prenatal education on postpartum outcomes were less consistent. The primary constraints of the included studies were their minute sample sizes and brief follow-up periods. Nonetheless, the existing evidence proposes that prenatal education is beneficial for first-time mothers in terms of alleviating anxiety and augmenting agency during delivery. Prenatal education can equip pregnant individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the perinatal period successfully. Further research is requisite to identify the optimal practices for diverse populations on a global scale.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Review article Peer-review

Original language

English

Article number

e64508

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Cureus Journal of Medical Science (Volume 16, Issue 7)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 10/07/2024
  • Published - 14/07/2024

Publication status

Published - 14/07/2024

ISSN

2168-8184

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/626329
  • PubMed: 39139345

Access to documents

Publication metrics

Metrics

Download statistics
Download count
5

PlumX, opens in new tab

Captures
145
Social media
18
2