Service Evaluation of Relaxation Workshops for Pregnant Women

Tabib, Mo; Crowther, Susan

doi:10.1891/1058-1243.27.1.10

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…This correlates with published work focusing on attitudes, beliefs, and practices of maternity care providers and their in uence on labour and birth care [36,37]. This suggests that any learnings, strategies, and tools gained through the course must also be understood by hospital staff who support them through the childbirth process if they are truly to make an impact on the experience of childbirth [10]. It could be construed that there may, in some instances, be a clash of cultures between the Calmbirth® programme and the hospital culture more broadly.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

“…There is emergent evidence that antenatal education may in uence and/or impact on childbirth intervention rates [6] and lead to cost savings in maternity care [7]. The evidence suggests that antenatal classes focusing on psychosocial and emotional preparation potentially lessens intervention rates [8][9][10]. Anxiety and fear of childbirth has been shown to impact on the experience of childbirth and signi cant evidence demonstrates that certain antenatal interventions may mitigate the emotional and psychological impact of childbirth related anxiety and fear [11][12][13], evidence of this anxiety have been re ected in New Zealand research on late pregnancy [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Independent qualitative evaluative study of Calmbirth® antenatal classes

Crowther

Hollingshead

Couper

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background/problem: High childbirth intervention rates impose unnecessary risk to women and infants. It is imperative that ways to mitigate this are found. Antenatal classes show promise yet the variability in their structure, content, acceptability, and impact require further examination. Aim: To explore the acceptability and experiences of attending Calmbirth® antenatal classes. Methods: A qualitative evaluation was completed on data gathered from Calmbirth® participants. Eighteen individual and/or couple postnatal interviews were conducted. Template analysis was used, with a psycho-emotional conceptual framework applied to analyse interview data. Results: The main finding of the evaluation was that the Calmbirth® courses empowered the participants, increased their health literacy, and provided them with more personal psychosocial coping strategies. Whilst some participants found the classes were not helpful for the majority their attendance proved to be a positive reframing of childbirth transforming their experience. In addition, learnt tools and strategies may have modified interventions although this remains to be proven. Discussion: Calmbirth® is acceptable and experienced positively by most women and partners who attended courses. Although the Calmbirth® programme is a possible strategy that may modify childbirth interventions and outcomes leading to a change in birthing culture, this requires further examination to make any causative claims. Moreover, for Calmbirth® to really make a difference there needs to be re-examination of the broader socio-cultural influences in places of birth with a focus on development of culturally aligned, user friendly, accessible classes that are funded for equity. Conclusion: Calmbirth® courses are acceptable and are a strategy that can empower and impact positively on childbirth experience.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Independent qualitative evaluative study of Calmbirth® antenatal classes

Crowther

Hollingshead

Couper

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…The literature suggests women experiencing childbirth complications are at greater risk of developing negative psychological outcomes such as posttraumatic stress (PTSD) or increased fear and anxiety following birth (Olde et al 2006). Our service evaluation (Tabib and Crowther 2018) and primary research (Tabib et al 2021) to date indicates that the practice of meditation and relaxation techniques in and around childbirth may have a buffering influence against the adverse effect of childbirth complications on maternal psychological wellbeing. Ito et al (2019) suggest psychological effects of oxytocin (released during meditation) as upregulating wellbeing and downregulating stress and anxiety.…”

Section: Related Research and Service Evaluation Of Arcmentioning

confidence: 97%

Bringing presence to the intrapartum experience

Tabib¹,

Humphrey²

2022

Mindfulness in the Birth Sphere

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We have worked together as midwifery practitioners, educators, and researchers for nearly 15 years. Our interest in 'relaxation' and its use in childbirth stemmed from our growing focus on women's experiences and a recognition of the increased incidence of anxiety and fearfulness of the birthing process. Having sought training in meditation and hypnosis, we incorporated many of the principals into our own practice. The results were astounding, with most women embracing this approach and many using no pharmaceutical or regional anaesthesia during childbirth. We also observed that their labour was often quicker than the average for their parity. We went onto work with a colleague to establish a dedicated service to women who had a fear of childbirth and were seeking to avoid a vaginal birth to overcome this. The content of the service focused on the principals of relaxation to make it more accessible and useful for childbirth. Women and clinicians were so positive about this service that it demanded an expansion of the provision and also warranted the training of more midwives. This service has now been accessible to any women in this particular Health Board in Scotland for the last eight years. During this time thousands of women and many partners have attended and most completed an evaluation. This has provided us with rich insights into their experiences of the service and how this has impacted their birth experience. We are now exploring this further in primary research and disseminating this widely. As midwifery educators and researchers, we recognised that we also needed to prepare midwives to support women using these techniques and have incorporated this into undergraduate, pre-registration curricula for student midwives. This has also been rolled out into continuous professional development for midwives building capacity and acceptability in the workforce. This chapter will examine the influence that meditation 2 and relaxation, may have on childbirth experiences. We will draw on the existing literature and reflect on our experience of embedding the knowledge and skills of meditation and relaxation within the context of antenatal education and midwifery practice in NHS maternity services in the UK. By describing the processes of development, service delivery and sharing research and evaluation, we will bring new insights to this important area of childbirth practice.

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“…Childbirth classes improve the maternal sense of preparedness and control, and also promote a feeling of self-confidence (Tabib & Crowther, 2018). Antenatal education is designed to guide women to think differently about birth, dismiss myths, and ultimately make positive informed decisions (Lothian & Hotelling, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Millennial Moms' Choices: A Nursing Survey About Childbirth Education in Primigravid Women

Campbell¹

2020

J Perinat Educ

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Primigravid women, at some point, feel the need to gain education about childbirth. Our objective was to identify where primigravid millennial moms are seeking their childbirth education. This study, a quantitative nonexperimental survey research, was designed within the context of developmental transition theory. Childbearing women were recruited, considering the phenomenon to be studied. This purposive sample of 100 participants included primigravid millennial mothers (born between 1978 and 1994), status post vaginal birth, or emergent cesarean surgery, on a 455-bed, acute care facility. All participants were able to speak, understand, and read English or Spanish fluently. The author used a self-report survey to collect data from the participants. Primigravid women responded to a series of questions posed by the investigator. Considering the participants' variety of reading levels and their ability to communicate in writing, special attention was given to the simplicity and clarity of the questions on the survey. The responses provided by the participants suggested the need to enhance current childbirth education into culturally friendly and evidence-based technological information. Websites, apps, and social media are important information channels to reach and disseminate valuable childbirth education for millennial primigravid women. However, these channels are not currently being used to their full potential, considering the amount of information available and lack of guidance and clarity to disseminate trustworthy health-care information. By understanding millennial moms' choices, we gain the opportunity to deliver better education and support to Internet savvy women who are seeking online health-care information.

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Service Evaluation of Relaxation Workshops for Pregnant Women

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Independent qualitative evaluative study of Calmbirth® antenatal classes

Independent qualitative evaluative study of Calmbirth® antenatal classes

Bringing presence to the intrapartum experience

Understanding Millennial Moms' Choices: A Nursing Survey About Childbirth Education in Primigravid Women

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