Study on Natural Childbirth Classes
The choice to do a natural childbirth vs. a birth with pain medication is always hotly debated. And, each side is sure their opinion is correct. Well, a noteworthy study has just been announced that will likely spark further conversation. A recent Swedish study concluded that natural childbirth classes didn’t offer any advantage to expecting parents.
The scientists had two groups of expectant parents who were all in their third trimester. One group received information and training only on natural childbirth, focusing on breathing and relaxation techniques. The other group learned about pain relief available during labor as well as how to care for a newborn baby. But, they did not practice any breathing or relaxation techniques.
The result was no difference at all.
When asked to rate their pain and experience of childbirth, both groups gave similar answers. Both groups had similar levels of stress when it came to being new parents. There was also no difference in the proportion of women who had an epidural, which was 52 percent in both groups.
So, don’t take anyone else’s advice on which method to use. There is no scientific evidence that one method of preparation is better than another. Do what makes sense for you and your family.
Daily Dose of Common Sense ยป Study on Natural Childbirth Classes Said,
June 6, 2009 @ 10:54 am
[...] [Note: This post has been used with permission from RationalMoms.com.] [...]
Helene Said,
June 6, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
I have to point out, though, that this study didn’t quanitify the effect of actually having medicated or unmedicated birth, just preparing for one or the other. So it only really settles the question of the preparation, not how parents who actually had medicated or unmedicated births differed in any way.
belisama Said,
June 6, 2009 @ 10:43 pm
Hi, have just stumbled upon your blog this week and have subscribed
I think we tend to gravitate to those childbirth philosophies that we know (consciously or unconsciously)align with how we already think.
Julie Said,
June 7, 2009 @ 10:07 am
This is sort of what I would expect!
Rebecca Said,
June 8, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
I wonder how the results would be different in the USA. I’m surprised to hear that only 52 percent had an epidural. I think the rate is much higher here.
I would guess that cultural differences would be significant between here and there, and that the rate of “natural” childbirths would reflect that. Also, we have so many more c-sections here (from what I’ve heard), that must make a difference as well.
I don’t know how common or uncommon natural childbirth is, but I know that when I had a medication-free hospital birth, the doctor and staff were all very congratulatory, as if it was unusual.
Fanisse Said,
June 8, 2009 @ 8:26 pm
I suspect your congrats were normal for anybody who’s just had a baby. Doctors and staff are human and I imagine, as such, they are happy for any healthy outcome.
Jodie Miller Said,
June 10, 2009 @ 6:12 pm
Perhaps the outcomes were the same on both sides because both groups only got half the information they required to make the best choices for themselves. There was no control group that received *all* the information to enable informed choices in childbirth. Not very scientific methodology, I’m afraid.
Fanisse Said,
June 12, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
I am so sick of the ‘not all the information’ or ‘not the right way’ complaint’. It’s the hackneyed excuse for everything that doesn’t turn out the way an ideologue wants. Why not just accept the fact that a lot of people end up wanting an epidural and just focus your energy on the self-selecting group that thinks it oh so horrible.
Here’s a link to what women are really thinking about the classes and the pain-relief option:
http://mainstreamparenting.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/whos-listening-to-mothers/