The impact of childbirth education classes on delivery outcome

Objective To determine whether participating in childbirth classes is associated with pregnancy outcomes. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to review the medical records of all nulliparous women who participated in childbirth classes during their pregnancy and delivered in the authors' institute, between January 2014 and December 2017 (CB class group). The control group comprised nulliparous women who delivered in the same time period, but who did not participate in any education classes (Not attended CB class group). The controls were matched in a ratio of 1:1 for gestational age at delivery and neonatal birth weight. Results Overall, 159 patients were included in each group. The class group was characterized with above average income (28 [23.9%] vs 19 [16.7%]; P=0.001) and higher education level (80 [64.0%] vs 60 [45.1%]; P=0.002), higher rate of normal vaginal delivery (128 [80.5%] vs 93 [58.5%]; P<0.001), and lower rate of vacuum extraction (12 [7.5%] vs 36 [22.6%]; P<0.001) compared to the Not attended CB class group. By logistic regression analysis, after controlling for obstetrics and socioeconomic variables, participation in childbirth classes was found to be independently associated with successful normal vaginal delivery (odds ratio 2.90; 95% confidence interval 1.13-7.38; P=0.024). Conclusion Participation in childbirth classes has a positive impact on pregnancy outcome.