A qualitative study exploring how the aims, language and actions of yoga for pregnancy teachers may impact upon women's self-efficacy for labour and birth

Abstract

1 Background 2As women's anxiety and the rate of medical intervention in labour and birth continue to 3 increase, it is important to identify how antenatal education can increase women's 4 confidence and their ability to manage the intense sensations of labour. 5 Aim 6To report a Grounded Theory study of how the aims, language and actions of Yoga for 7Pregnancy teachers may impact upon women's self-efficacy for labour and birth. 8 Methods 9Yoga for pregnancy classes in three locations were filmed. Semi-structured interviews were 10 undertaken with the teachers to explore what they were trying to achieve in their classes, 11 and how. Interviews and classes were transcribed and analysed using grounded theory. 12 Findings 13There was considerable consistency in the teachers' aims, the language they used in 14 classes and in their thinking about class structure. Four main themes emerged: creating a 15 sisterhood, modelling labour, building confidence and enhancing learning. Teachers see 16 yoga for pregnancy as a multi-faceted, non-prescriptive intervention that enhances women's 17 physical, emotional and social readiness for labour and birth, and supports women to make 18 their own decisions across the transition to parenthood. 19 Conclusion 20Women's self-efficacy for labour is complex and multi-factorial. This study offers insights into 21 the factors which may be involved in increasing it. These include not only traditional 22 elements of yoga such as postures, breathing and meditation, but also the creation of safe, 23 women-only groups where anxieties, experiences and stories can be shared, and pain-24 coping techniques for labour learned and practised. 25 2.

‘It definitely made a difference’: A grounded theory study of yoga for pregnancy and women's self-efficacy for labour

“…The aim was to generate a theory, grounded in women's voices, about which aspects of YfP are effective in enhancing women's ability to manage labour. Previous papers, ( Campbell, 2018;Campbell and Nolan, 2016 ) have reported on aspects of YfP teachers' language and actions in classes which appear to impact on women's selfefficacy behaviour.…”

Antenatal education for childbirth: Labour and birth

“…Inclusion of the rest-contraction-rest cycle, as opposed to only discussing contractions, can function as an information statement that possibly has the power to prime a mother for positive behaviour and perceptions. This was identified by Campbell and Nolan 9 when they discussed the concept of 'building confidence', which involved the use of positive language, imagery and positive affirmations to 'emphasise how strong and capable the woman's bodies were and how beautiful birth can be'.…”

“…Twenty years later, the need for health professionals in the maternity setting to consider their use of language continues to be highlighted. The question of how language may impact on a woman's self-efficacy in labour and birth was examined by Campbell and Nolan 9 using a grounded theory approach. During that study the researchers specifically examined the aims, language and actions of yoga for pregnancy teachers.…”

“…The study identified four themes: building confidence, creating a sisterhood, modelling labour, and enhancing learning; and each of these themes had various subthemes. Of the four themes, building confidence involved the use of positive language, imagery and positive affirmations, to 'emphasise how strong and capable women's bodies were and how beautiful birth can be' 9 . Creating a sisterhood incorporated storytelling from other experienced mothers in the group and the childbirth educators.…”

“…While enhancing learning included creating an atmosphere through tone of voice, soothing words, and use of metaphor. Modelling labour was another theme and focused on the repetition of words and postures in order to imbed phrases in the woman's mind 9 . The language of encouragement was also discussed by Leap and Hunter 10 as a way of stimulating positive motivation, with antenatal groups being identified as one opportunity where this can occur.…”