Mothers’ Perceptions About Childbirth Preparation Classes: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Childbirth preparation classes are designed for better adaptation of couples to physiological and psychological changes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, we aimed to explore the mothers’ perceptions about childbirth preparation classes. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using the conventional qualitative content analysis method from May to August 2022. Eighteen women who had given birth in the last six months in one of the hospitals in Tehran and at least 20 days had passed since their delivery were included in the study; also, five husbands, two midwives, and two obstetricians were interviewed. The participants were purposefully selected according to the inclusion criteria. Sampling continued until data saturation. Data were collected through individual, in-depth, and semi-structured interviews and analyzed by the MAXQDA version 10 software. RESULTS: Mothers’ age ranged from 17 to 37 years. 128 primary codes, 7 sub-sub themes, 3 sub-themes, and one theme were extracted. The sub-themes included satisfaction from the choice (perception forming for better choices, common consent), making the wait pleasant (dignity-oriented professional care, adaptation to change, feeling of empowerment), and good termination (free and conscious choice for birth mode, self-control during delivery process). Finally, a theme called “making motherhood pleasant” was extracted. CONCLUSION: Making motherhood pleasant can be a meaningful achievement of childbirth preparation classes. Paying more attention to improving the quality of these classes can help improve family health. Therefore, policymakers should implement strategies to facilitate women’s access to these classes.