The Effect of Pregnant Education Classes on the Birth Process of Nulliparous Pregnants

Objecitve: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of antenatal education classes on the type of delivery, duration of labor in vaginal delivery and birth rates with episiotomy. Material Method: This retrospective study included 200 nulliparous pregnant women who were admitted to Adana City Hospital Obstetric and Gynecology Outpatients clinic between 2017-2021. Of these 99 attended antenatal education classes, which were designed by the Turkish Ministry Of Health and 101 did not attend any antenatal educational classes. In the retrospective analysis of the cases, cesarean section rates, indications for cesarean section, duration of labor, episiotomy rates and APGAR scores were compared. Results: No significant difference was found between the mode of delivery between the pregnant women who attended and did not attend antenatal education classes (p=0.463). A significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of cesarean section indications and duration of labor (p=0.007 and p<0.001, respectively). In terms of cesarean indications, the rate of cesarean section was found to be higher in the group that did not participate in the antenatal classes (27.7% vs 10.1%), especially due to non-progressive labor. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of birth rates with episiotomy (p=0.088). Conclusion: The study results demonstrated that the pregnant women who participated in the antenatal education classes had shorter labour and a lesser need for cesarean section with the indication of non-progressive labour. Although there was no significant difference between the cesarean section rates between the groups, it can be considered important to expand the scope of these antenatal classes and to provide the appropriate social and legal groundwork in order to achieve this goal.