Abstract
Objective
To undertake a structured review of the literature to determine the effect of antenatal
education on labour and birth, particularly normal birth.
Method
Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane and Web of Knowledge databases were searched to identify
research articles published in English from 2000 to 2012, using specified search terms
in a variety of combinations. All articles included in this structured review were
assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
(PRISMA).
Findings
The labour and birthing effects on women attending antenatal education may include
less false labour admissions, more partner involvement, less anxiety but more labour
interventions.
Conclusion
This literature review has identified that antenatal education may have some positive
effects on women's labour and birth including less false labour admissions, less anxiety
and more partner involvement. There may also be some negative effects. Several studies
found increased labour and birth interventions such as induction of labour and epidural
use. There is contradictory evidence on the effect of antenatal education on mode
of birth. More research is required to explore the impact of antenatal education on
women's birthing outcomes.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 16, 2012
Accepted:
September 11,
2012
Received in revised form:
July 27,
2012
Received:
June 5,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
